DEAR MISS MANNERS: I would like to hear your opinion on whether or not using “Excuse me” can be rude.

In my opinion, if I can see that a person’s activity will only take a minute, it is rude to say, “Excuse me,” and expect them to stop what they’re doing to allow me to accomplish my task. The proper thing to do, in my mind, is to patiently wait my turn. What do you think?

GENTLE READER: It depends on the activity.

If someone is standing in your way in the grocery aisle, trying to decide between mayonnaise brands, you should patiently wait your turn.

If that person is blocking you while texting a spouse, having an intense argument about whether mayonnaise should be in their diet at all, and should we even be married if you don’t care enough to pick up the things I asked … then the task at hand is not going to soon be accomplished. In that case, you may say, “Excuse me,” with Miss Manners’s blessing.

Note that tone is important, too. A haughty “Well, exCUSE Me!” is always rude.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.