DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a dear friend who suffered a stroke as a teenager, which left her with weakness on one side of her body. She is now in her 40s and has a wonderful husband and a lovely daughter. She is an avid volunteer and artist.
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While she was out in public with me recently, a woman approached my friend and asked if she could lay hands on her and pray for her.
I'm sure the woman meant no offense, but this embarrassed and upset my friend. She later told me that this has happened to her on several occasions, and she is never quite sure what to say to these people.
GENTLE READER: Lately, Miss Manners finds herself having to caution people to consider another's intent before overreacting. (She started to say "before reacting," but these days, the two are often synonymous.)
But offers of being grabbed by a stranger, for whatever reason, do not require a carefully crafted response. An emphatic "No!" -- while moving away, if necessary -- is both acceptable and wise.
To acknowledge the stranger's benign intent, your friend could add "thank you" after she has reached a safe distance.