Greetings, Miss Manners My pals have graciously agreed to help me replace out the engine in my pickup vehicle.
According to mechanic etiquette, you should offer your pals refreshments while they work on a car project. A worker deserves to be paid. But I’m not sure how many beers I should offer them in exchange for their help.
Should I buy a dozen beers for each of my buddies or a six-pack if they are helping me repair my engine over the course of an evening? Splitting a 30-pack is something I’ve heard of, but I don’t think we’re alcoholic enough to handle it.
I want to be giving, but I also don’t want to make them drunk and risk hurting them or doing shoddy work. How many drinks do you think is appropriate to provide, aside from maybe asking if they would prefer a nonalcoholic option?
PERSONAL READER: Why don’t you wait till the work is finished before serving the alcoholic beverages? Because, like you, Miss Manners is afraid that a 30-pack of beer would make your employees completely unworthy of their pay. and leave you with an engine that is in ruins.
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(Questions can be sent to Miss Manners via email at [email protected], her website at www.missmanners.com, or by mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
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