DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it rude to say to someone, "Did you intend to (name of the activity involved)?" For example, "Did you intend to step on my foot?" The word in question here is "intend."
I'd really appreciate your input. It will help us with our efforts to create a household of respect.
GENTLE READER: You are almost there. All Miss Manners asks is that you give one another the benefit of the doubt (while retaining the pressure to apologize) by phrasing it as, "I'm sure you did not intend to step on my foot," stressing "sure" as strongly as "intend."
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