Miss Manners: I’d like to thank my pilates instructor, but there’s always a crowd around her after class

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I belong to a Pilates studio, and I like to acknowledge and express appreciation for the hard work of my instructors after each class.

I’m unsure how to do this when people get into detailed conversations with the instructor after class. My practice has been to say a loud “Thank you!” or “Great class!” into the air as I leave the building. Sometimes I try to make eye contact.

Is that an appropriate response? I’ve struggled with this dilemma for years at various workout studios where the environments are fairly intimate.

GENTLE READER: Is your purpose to express personal gratitude to the instructor, or to lead the rest of the class in a similar expression of gratitude? Do you wish to be seen demonstrating your thanks publicly, or are you in a hurry to get to your next appointment?

Miss Manners asks only because your solution could be seen to address all of these except the first. Assuming that expressing your own gratitude -- and not the public display -- is actually the one you care about, she suggests you write a personal letter and leave it at the front desk after the last class.

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