DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was sent a photo of a very pregnant niece who was due in two days. The photo was shot over her head. I asked her mother if her daughter was having twins.
My sister said I was rude. I thought I was asking an honest question. Who is right?
GENTLE READER: Questions about pregnancy -- both if and how much -- are never a good idea. The penalty and embarrassment for guessing wrong, Miss Manners finds, is just too great a risk. It was still impolite of your sister/niece's mother (?) to point it out, but if she saved you from saying it directly to your niece/sister's daughter (?), then she was not wrong about the sentiment.