DEAR MISS MANNERS: At a restaurant, I laid my credit card on the table to signal we were ready to pay. My daughter said that was discourteous and I should wait for the server to bring the bill.

I have done this for years, thinking I am expediting the situation for us all -- particularly the server, who may want our table for the next customers. Am I being rude?

GENTLE READER: No -- your daughter is being overly fastidious, as daughters sometimes are. But you could also simply ask for the check.