Supplement to The Oak Bay Star, Victoria Star, Goldstraam Gazette, Saanich News, Sidney Review and The Esquimalt News Page M16 May9, 1990. This Week ETIQUETTE Problems with a gift certificate ear Miss Manners — My husband’s co-workers gave us a gift certificate to be used at a restaurant, and they are con- stantly asking if we have gone there yet, or when we are planning on going. This restaurant is so expensive, and the certifi- cate does not cover the cost of dinner for two. My neighbor went there to celebrate her anniversary, and without liquor or dessert, the dinner was $87 plus tip. The restaurant was also written about in the newspaper, with a tab Call the restaurant. Tell them the amount of the certificate, and ask them what they would suggest you get for it. Perhaps a gala lunch? Could you bring several people by after dinner for luxurious desserts? Perhaps you could use it to buy one dish as a takeout, that you could use with other foods at home? Miss Manners forbids you to be embarrased about not adding money to the certificate. The restaurant is as much at fault as the donors, who most recently, a handmade Easter basket. I am to be married in June and am baffled at how to handle these gifts without hurting my admirer’s feelings. I have exchanged charming notes with my admirer and she with me, and the gifts have grown seemingly more sentimental. What to do? Gentle Reader — From whom is this secr@ admirer secret? Your fiancee? Unless you have been leaving notes on your desk for her to pick up when she makes her deliveries, you must know who it is. And that came out to over $110. We are really stuck about what to tell his co-workers, your reference to co-workers indicates that everybody in the office knows. and just hate to see the certifi- In any case, the way to stor il cate go to waste. I wish people would call a restaurant first and ask what is the cost of a basic dinner for two — a meal Miss-Manners unwanted presents is to re: By JUDITH MARTIN fuse to accept them. Mis: Manners is even more bafflec than you are as to why yot and a drink. It doesn’t need to be the most expensive thing on the menu, but it would give the purchaser a chance to know if the certificate amount is enough or whether another restaurant should be considered. People should not assume that because a certifi- cate is being given, the recipient can afford to pay the difference. Gentle Reader — Miss Manners is happy to present and second your excellent suggestion, but she can’t stand to see the certificate go to waste, either. should have been warned that the certificate would not fully cover the meals. Of course, if the restauranteur is really clever, he will insist on your coming to dinner, asking that he be allowed to help choose the menu, in order to prove to you that you need not consider his place prohibitive. Dear Miss Manners — I am the rather baffled recipient of many gifts from a secret admirer at work. She and her co-workers have sent money to me; she has sent me St. Patrick Day balloons and, TEI CTE TET A Gl TATTOO oT het 1 ( : (i G RE L _— : Gift Service {{ ercate it... or add your own special touch | 778 FORT STREET VICTORIA BC V8W1H2 have not figured this out. I you genuinely don’t know where to give them back then post a notice on the bulletin board asking tha your unknown benefactor collect the engagemen presents that you and your fiancee do not feel righ about accepting. 4 Feeling incorrect? Address your etiquette ques tions (in black or blue-black ink on white writin, paper) to Miss Manners, in care of this newspapei The quill shortage prevents Miss Manners fron answering questions other than through this col umn. Mothers Day, May 15 : “Authentic European Taste” FORERUNNERS’ OVERLANDER ts proud te suppou The David Foster Foundation CEIMDILI LIU LOU LILLIE : Every purchase of any Ouertander product betmeen May tet aud June 50th, (770 wile coutribate 10% per Cel a The D to acctet the Famlter of Children in weed of Orgau “frausplauts avid Foster Foundation ACOCCLILIICUNLICETTOICEOTCUERL TUULINELO COLNE ODOM LUIOLILLLULDOO LTO EILEIELIE LL | f STAMPEDE TO SUMMER SALE WOMEN’S X-TRLO Reg. $79. 99 4 ENTER A no THE st BUG xi ae = a Ty si 2 a a Gac 10-40% OFF 1/2OURINVENTORY RUNNING | NIKE - Men‘s Pegasus 2573 Reg. $79.99 $69.99 TURNTEC - Womens ALL 15 % OFF WALKING SAUCONY LADY PwRReg. $99.00 984.99 BROOKS-MensWolkerReg 69900 9U.99 BROOKS - Men’s Wedge Walkers Reg, $89.99 $59.99 X-TRAINING : MEN’S X-TRLO Reg. $79.99 YOUR RUNNING: WALKING -LIFESTYLE STORE more than just a store — 2 lifestyle 911 Yates St. (London Drugs complex) 382-8181 =