DEAR MISS MANNERS: Six of us from our office were dining at a restaurant that happens to be a favorite of my boss', but not of mine. The office manager ordered risotto, which I like but had found to be starchy at this particular place. I immediately asked her, "Is there any way I can talk you out of that?" (I didn't say "yeech!" and make a face.)
She said no, and my boss said it was rude of me to criticize an entree that someone else chose. This was not an etiquette rule I'd heard of.
Was I supposed to wait until she didn't like the risotto herself and then say, "I didn't think you would"? (The office manager did end up liking it.)
GENTLE READER: The rule is not against giving advice about restaurant dishes. The rule is against insinuating that your boss chose a restaurant of which one has to be wary. Presuming the risotto really is starchy, the office manager showed a better understanding of this than you did, Miss Manners is afraid.
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