Ask Amy: ‘I don’t care if they say grace, it’s just not my thing’

DEAR AMY: All of the kids in our family were brought up with religion not being a part of our lives.

We are all over 60 now and recently my wife and I were invited over for Easter dinner at my sister’s place.

Suddenly, my brother-in-law starts saying grace.

It’s not important to me, so I just sat there.

After dinner was over, my sister said to me, “You could at least have bowed your head.”

Religion was never a part of our family and I felt it wrong for her to all of a sudden expect me to have to bend to their new beliefs.

I don’t care if they say grace, it’s just not my thing.

Your thoughts?

– No Grace for Me

DEAR NO GRACE: Ironic, isn’t it – that you were guests at this house for Easter dinner, which – last time I checked – is a Christian holiday.

It’s simple good manners to respect other people’s faith practices, especially while in their homes. In my opinion, this respect can be demonstrated by sitting quietly while they say a blessing, and not judging them afterward.

I don’t think it is necessary to bow your head, but would you bow your head if a blessing was being said at a sports stadium? If so, then you should do so at someone’s table.

(You can email Amy Dickinson at [email protected] or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)