[Freeda]

I think we should try to promote the spirit of expecting others to honor basic fairness, which is especially important in a community as large as this; and so I think a thing to do might be to give the person demanding the place the benefit of the doubt, and just politely say something like, "I realize that you must not know this, but there are no reserved places in the classes here" and just smile and stay put. I would say it just loudly enough that the attention of others around would be drawn - in case of attack! (-; .

This time of year, in particular, the classes start filling up so quickly that if you relinquish a place, you might not find another. (Which reminds me of the time my husband was seated on a flight, which was full, and another man appeared at the seat with a boarding pass bearing the same seat number. The attendant was called, and she apologized for the airline's error and told my husband and the other man that her solution was for them to draw straws for the seat. My husband just shrugged his shoulders and said "But . . I already have a seat." People in the surrounding seats were all ears and were asking for popcorn. A short 'staredown' followed, and then the stewardess asked the other man to come with her, and he left the plane. But, I digress).

I agree that starting an unpleasant 'scene' over a little thing like this isn't classy (and Gracie, your mom sounds like mine in always expecting what she called 'mannerliness' - regardless of who was right or wrong - only mine would have probably gotten a switch), but that should not be necessary.

The problem with just acquiescing in a demand like this is that it just encourages this kind of inappropriate assertiveness on their part toward others in the future.