Conflicted bride is in the wrong movie
The father is a professional and their children are bright. They seem very decent and likable.
The other day I received mail intended for their address, so I brought it to their front door. Where the doormat would ordinarily be, there was a small depiction of two bare feet with a swastika in the center. At first I was aghast, naturally, as this symbol in our country (and many others) represents unspeakable cruelty.
I did a little research and found that this symbol, for my neighbors, is actually benign and represents good luck.
Should I engage my neighbor and gently mention that this symbol may cause considerable offense to some who may see it? Or should I simply keep out of it, as these people are aware, educated and have a right to adorn their domicile as they choose? -- Torn Neighbor
DEAR TORN: Yes, the swastika design has some benign antecedents -- but your neighbors are now living in a place and a culture where this symbol is now universally reviled.
If you moved to another country and placed a culturally offensive symbol outside your home, it would be appropriate for a neighbor to gently point that out.
The next time you pop over to their house you should say to them: "Hey -- a swastika. What's up with that?" Let them explain it to you. Then you can explain that it is a symbol that might offend their visitors.
Then they can make an informed choice about what to do about it and you can let it be.
DEAR AMY: Thank you for your recent column where readers shared their suggestions for how to offer condolences. I found these very helpful -- and touching. -- Faithful Reader
DEAR READER: I thought the most helpful suggestion was also so simple: to share a memory of the person who died.
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(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook. Amy Dickinson's memoir, "The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter and the Town that Raised Them" (Hyperion), is available in bookstores.)
