Miss Manners: Excuse me while I make a call during our holiday dinner

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Because of COVID, we had not been having our regular family and friends Seder. We were happy to restart the occasion and had a rather large gathering.

During the Seder, one of the family began an online call at the table with a missing relative who was invited but declined, as they lived out of state. This call lasted 10 to 15 minutes, in the middle of the Seder.

I considered beating the caller with a stick, or at least dousing them with wine. My spouse was similarly angry.

This guest is, at best, unpleasant to be around. This night, they exceeded unpleasantness and selfishness. What should we have done?

GENTLE READER: Dousing this person with wine is likely to result in a stain on your tablecloth and an amusing video you might not want to have circulated.

Miss Manners believes you would be better off asking to say hello to the absent relative, and then adding, “We’re sorry you can’t be here, but you will excuse us exiting now, so that we can continue with the Seder.”

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(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)