DEAR MISS MANNERS: My boyfriend and I went to the shoe store to return a pair of shoes he bought that were too small. He was a little nervous about it. It all went well, and he was able to get them in a larger size.
As we left, he thanked the saleswoman and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
I’m thinking this is inappropriate. Am I wrong? I know he was just trying to be gracious.
GENTLE READER: Let us suppose that it had been your unaccompanied father exchanging shoes, and then expressing his satisfaction with the transaction by kissing the saleswoman.
Would you even be asking this question?
Miss Manners is guessing that you would be too occupied trying to explain to the police that this was only his way of saying “thank you.” Perhaps if the report were being taken by a female police officer, he could express his thanks to her as well.