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Dear Mary

Dear Mary solves problems for Nicky Haslam, Nigel Slater, Professor Mary Beard and others

On being an arbiter of what is common; how to control one’s face when opening presents; and how to treat the demands of food faddists

12 December 2015

9:00 AM

12 December 2015

9:00 AM

From Nicky Haslam

Q. Being considered something of a guru on the subject of things common, can you advise me how to finesse the host or hostess who asks, challengingly, ‘I suppose you think my twinkling decorations/strings of cards/mulled wine/sushi/antler headband/children are terribly common?’ A wan smile won’t suffice.

A. Say, ‘Yes I do.

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