DEAR MISS MANNERS: I spent more than 50 years with the most beautiful, wonderful woman I have ever known. She passed away about 18 months ago. I wear my wedding ring and plan to continue to do so.
Several women have suggested I wear it on my right hand or not wear it at all -- usually adding that it’s time I started dating. I have no desire to do so. How long is it appropriate to wear a wedding ring after a spouse dies? And do you have a suggestion for how I could respond to these comments? I don’t wish to sound rude.
GENTLE READER: Those must be the same women who keep telling brokenhearted widows that they are no longer “entitled” to wear their wedding rings. But oddly enough, they don’t go on to encourage the widows to date. The answer to how long bereaved spouses can wear wedding rings is: as long as they please.
It is no one else’s business. And the answer to why you do not date is: You do not want to. If you want to put a stop to this annoyance, Miss Manners will allow you to add, “I haven’t met anyone yet whom I want to date.
” *** (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.) Latest Advice Columns.
