DEAR ABBY: My favorite uncle was a machinist who taught me to respect and care for tools. Although I ended up in tech, I still maintain an organized workbench in my garage. I often get comments about it, and I'm not sure how to respond. Sometimes in social situations, folks mention it, although strangers walking by also feel they have a right to comment -- "Your garage is so organized," "I could eat off your garage floor," and "My garage sure doesn't look like this."
My view is that it's inside my house and none of their business. Am I supposed to be complimented, support their decision to not clean their own garage, or what? I don't feel a need to justify, explain or even thank them for their observations, but there's this uncomfortable silence while folks await my response. Any suggestions? -- AWKWARD IN SAN FRANCISCO
DEAR AWKWARD: Yes. Leaving your garage door open is an INVITATION to passersby to look. The polite way to respond to a compliment is to simply say, "THANK you!" I suggest you try it.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.