Some people take offense at the slightest thing. Some people are happy to learn. Most people wobble somewhere between the two. And some people would rather be served non-existent cheese than be corrected, I suppose. I wonder what she'd have been willing to pay for it?

1) It depends how you tell it, I think. Some diplomacy is required. The same applies to written texts. 2) For instance it seems that many people are using alternative spellings for words, for different reasons. You are using "grammer" where it normally should be "grammar". Either it was just a typo, or you could think it were the normal spelling. But in the last case, you were far from alone to use this spelling: "It’s amazing how many people write to thank me for helping them with their “grammer.” It’s “grammar.” The word is often incorrectly used to label patterns of spelling and usage that have nothing to do with the structure of language, the proper subject of grammar in the most conservative sense. Not all bad writing is due to bad grammar." Source: http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~brians/errors/grammer.html 3) By the way, to use "monocello" for "mozarella" would not be a grammatical error, I think. I would rather call it a spelling or vocabulary usage error. Here some information about grammar checker: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammar_checker 4) In the case of this lady, it could be that her reaction came because she was not meaning "mozarella" at all. I did not find any "monocello" cheese, but there is a "monticello" cheese. This was possibly also the very word which she used, but you did not understand it accurately, because you had never heard of it, and also because you were concentrated on mozarella. 5) Here some information about monticello cheese: http://www.yelp.com/c/monticello-wi/cheese http://csumc.wisc.edu/gallery/albun40 http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=310263 http://www.grayboxx.com/c/WI/Monticello/c25090103/b1.html

Mmm yes Thank you hun it is Grammar,I still couldnt find evidence of a cheese called monocello I read your links and they are links to monicello creamery or Monicello, WI. !! You really are informative,communication must be your strongest point!!

She, of course, meant: "Don't correct ME" and not "Don't correct people." I'm only offended if someone does it for the reason of making me look stupid. If I don't think that's the case then, I'm not offended.

She just didn't want to be corrected. If done politely, it's really a way to help a person not make the same mistake again in public. Some folks have done that for me and helped me not make the same mistake in an even worse public situation. She could have been around someone that humiliated her in public instead of you trying to help her out. Don't worry about it, your intentions were good.

I'd just do it. They'll get over it. If they get offended, just remind them that you COULD have let them continue embarassing themselves.....

There is nothing wrong with correcting inaccuracies. Sometimes people are grateful so they don't embarrass themselves further, and others might just be misquoting something they think is fact, especially with political wacko's etc. The truth is never wrong.

If I had a piece of lettuce stuck between my front teeth, I would prefer that someone told me, so that I could avoid futher embarrassment, and I try to do the same for others. Same thing.

Well, with your example, it sounds like your thought she meant mozzarella when she said monocella. For you that was more of a clarification. What if after that, you decided to go buy yourself some monocella cheeze and looked like a fool when you asked for some. The store clerk would probably say "You mean Mozzarella? We don't have any cheese thats called Monocella" If its a grammar situation, be considerate if the person has English (or whatever language is being spoken) as a second language.

She sounds a bit snobby, and stupid as well. There's nothing wrong with correcting people IF you do it politely.

As far as strict etiquette goes, one does not correct another person's grammar or manners unless one is in a position of authority, or otherwise expected to do so. It is considered rude to tell others what to do if you do not already have that right. In other words, while it is appropriate to correct the grammar of your child or another younger family member, you should not do so for strangers unless they ask. Even with the best of intentions, it is still out of line. This is particularly difficult for me, an English teacher. But it is true -- unless the person in question is my sister or my student, the grammar he or she uses is not really my business.

well shes techically correcting you for correcting people so shes being rude too if your being rude

It is absolutely rude to correct another person in public. Now regarding this lady she did not make a grammar mistake, she was lacking information on the correct name of the cheese.