Democracy Dies in Darkness

Miss Manners: Rude shopper’s comment hurt my husband

A shopper made a very rude comment about this letter writer’s husband at the grocery store.

Advice by
, 
and 
May 23, 2024 at 12:00 a.m. EDT
3 min

Dear Miss Manners: My husband was at the grocery store yesterday and a woman was blocking the aisle, bending over to look at an item on the shelf. A male shopper in front of my husband asked her to please move so he could pass by, which the woman did.

My husband, a man with a noticeable paunch, approached her next, asking her to let him by. She responded, “If you didn't have such a big belly, I wouldn't have to get out of your way.” My husband, a kind and friendly man, walked by — shocked, rightfully insulted, and at a loss for words.