Catch22

[j4]

I have received an email to which I cannot reply without risking offending, and to which I cannot refrain from replying without risking offending.

I would like the internet to be accidentally unplugged by the cleaner, please, so that I don't have to make a decision.

Comments

[juliet]

In that sort of situation I think in general I'd be inclined to reply, as gently as possible, and possibly even saying 'I hope you're not offended, but I thought I'd rather reply than not'.

Sometimes folk are less easily offended than one thinks they might be; sometimes it's just not possible to avoid offence, which doesn't mean it's your fault. Sometimes things need to be said even with the risk of offence.

Plus, if you *don't* reply, it's possible that they may email you again in a couple of days asking whether you got their message, or whatever. Which is probably worse.