MISS MANNERS by Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a fine artist, with a studio attached to my home. Friends and visitors often ask to see the studio, and I am happy to oblige. Sometimes, a visitor will ask how much a particular piece costs.

This puts me on the spot. I usually say, “Well, I would normally charge $300 for that painting, but with my ‘friends and family’ discount, I would charge $150.”

On a few occasions, I’ve had a visitor who looks aghast and murmurs something to the effect of, “I didn’t think it would be so expensive.”

Miss Manners, I do not know how to respond! I have already halved the price (which is never outlandish to begin with), and am now made to feel I’m being greedy or unreasonable. My reaction has been a strained

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