DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was riding in the passenger seat of my husband's car and after a few minutes noticed something wet in my seat. It turns out I had sat on a packet of bleach disinfectant wipes and they had been leaking. This ruined my favorite pair of jeans.
I am reminded of another time, when I was in my late teens or early 20s, and my mom jumped down my throat because I sat on her sunglasses when I rode in the car. In her frustration, she said, "Why can't you look before you sit down?" Maybe I should be more careful, but when someone rides in my car, I always make a point to clear the passenger seat before they take a seat. I don't think it should be on them to clear out any clutter because they're my car guest. Is there an etiquette rule for this?
GENTLE READER: Two, in fact. Don't trap your guests (by offering them damp seats). And don't complain when your guest falls into a trap of your own making (sitting on the takeout you left under your sweater on the front seat).
Actually, there are three rules, if you count the proper response, which is, "Would you like me to throw this out for you?"