DEAR MISS MANNERS: We have an older live-in nanny for our two young children. During the week, she stays in our basement, where she has a bedroom, bathroom and living area, and she goes home on the weekends.

She has expressed to us that she feels uncomfortable when we have guests stay in her quarters over the weekend.

It seems odd to me that the basement should be permanently “hers” even when she is not there. Are we in the wrong?

GENTLE READER: By your own description, yes. She is a live-in employee, not a transient guest among other possible guests. Those are her living quarters, regardless of where she spends her time off.

Presumably, she keeps her clothes and other personal possessions there. Leaving them out for your guests to see must be disconcerting, and packing them away would

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