DEAR MISS MANNERS: The husband of a friend remarked (shouted, actually) to me, from outside of a closed bathroom door, that I wear too much makeup! I was mortified, and of course, I had not asked for his opinion.

What would have been the proper response?

GENTLE READER: As you were behind a closed bathroom door, the proper response was silence.

If this caused him to repeat himself or increase his volume, he would only embarrass himself. Assuming that your friend had not already dragged him off for some spousal correction before you emerged, you could then give him a haughty look.

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