to quietly correct this?

[forgotmypassagain]

I want to preface this with saying at this juncture I have not uttered a word.

Through my DDs I am friendly with one of the school mums (sit with her at parties, message about the kids, take them to soft play together).
She’s recently set up a business…let’s call it The Happy Faces but on all her promotional things she’s put an apostrophe in faces so the the business is called “The Happy Face’s”…

I suppose I’m asking if anyone would point this out to her? The type of business it is lends itself to correct grammar, punctuation and spelling. Mine is by no means perfect btw and I’m asking more from the point of view that she is absolutely lovely and i would like to see her succeed and wouldn’t want people to be put off the business by incorrect punctuation in the business name.

It's customary to only use a possessive apostrophe with the last name in a list.

So, if Laura and Jane have a card shop together, it becomes Laura and Jane's card shop.

I don't know when this started but I can imagine how cluttered a sentence could become - Grandma's, Grandpa's, Uncle Joe's and Auntie Sophie's house. Just - messy.

I think we're seeing more punctuation errors because we can now print our own materials, so there's less checking going on. I'm surprised, though, when I see a proper shop sign that someone has paid good money for and it has a mistake in it. I always wonder if the sign writer and client had a battle about it and the customer, always being right, won.

Tons of errors? Don't say a thing. She surely has closer friends & family who will tell her.

Didn't someone get 'Kelly Homes' tattooed on herself, not realising the surname is spelt 'Holmes'? It was in the papers at the time - maybe it was the 2012 Olympic Games

Not a satisfactory explanation. Ok. Fine. 🤣

They're friendly acquaintances not friends, allowing such people to save face is just a tactful way of saving someone from themselves without causing them embarrassment which might make those incidental social occasions awkward for both parties.
With a friend it is easier to gauge how offended/upset they might be by having a mistake pointed out, also easier for a friend not to mind if someone they know cares about them deeply points it out.

Or op could not bother, but it's her business name so could really matter so she is trying to walk a fine line.

I know a superb craft tradesman who has dyslexia and his spelling can be a little awry, but his work is fabulous- But he knows about such things and does check spellings- something like ''Happy Face's'' really is so glaringly off that I'd definitely warn her that the ''Printer's made a misteak'' 🎯

Thank you!
I think my life is your username but the dancing and thinking reversed!

Just tell her. It’s something which could hurt her financially. You would tell her if you thought she was putting herself at risk of being scammed.

I wouldn’t waste time pussyfooting around it. If she doesn’t immediately recognise that you’re trying to help her she’s being an idiot.

I'd be tempted to say something like "I was talking to my mum/sister/friend about your new business and she pointed out there's a typo in the name..." Bit of a cop out but it helps you both save face!

That would wind me up so much! I'd tell her

I'm going to go against the grain and say just leave it.

Have you seen how people react to corrections on here?!

At the end of the day, especially if this is only the tip of the iceberg with SPAG, she has to take responsibility for her business, not you. If it puts people off, then that's on her. If "face's" was the only mistake, that would perhaps be worth mentioning. You've suggested, however, that there are wider problems with her written English and that would end needing a heck of a lot of corrections from you and work on her behalf to get it right.

Correcting her on a frequent basis could cost you the pleasant relationship that you currently have. It may not be worth risking that.

@PerkyMintDeer

That’s all good and well if we’re talking about a WhatsApp thread or a Facebook post. SPAG errors are two a penny and you would have to be a bit of an arsehole to mither someone about this.

It’s a completely different matter when it’s someone’s business and she stands to lose money as a result.

You have to tell her to her face, not in writing.
I have two FB friends (old school friends - no longer really in touch, other than FB). Both have recently self-published books with SPAG howlers in the titles. I cannot bring myself to tell them because (a) In one case, I don't know if it is intentional - it could be a bad pun and (b) I know I will come across as a know-it-all, and pop their balloons.
I think if I saw them face to face I would say something, as you can be softer, and more reassuring. You can't make corrections like that kindly in writing.

So mortifying to receive your feedback in writing.

I’ve heard it called a feedback sandwich before but this term is better!
Do this …

A great post.

Yes I think you have to mention it but there are so many good suggestions on how to do it without being smug, you will manage it. If it was me I would be so grateful to get that feedback. It's not done to score points, but to support.

I notice so many cafes sell panini's. Even when other items don't have surplus to requirements apostrophes, paninis always seem to. Is it something to do with the word ending in i? Though that is actually, in Italian, the plural ... let's not go down that rabbit hole!

How many people named Jane are involved in it? If there are more than one, it is correct.

I have no idea but every time I notice it. 😂

No, that would be Laura and Janes'.

Yes, this.

The trouble is, people with poor SPaG so often think it’s no big deal at all. They don’t notice their own mistakes, or anyone else’s, so they don’t realise how much they make too many other people wince.

I wouldn't mention it. I belong to a facebook group with a rogue apostrophe but I feel it would be pedantic to point it out. It's not a business though.

Then let it be. She needs someone to do all the editing for her so you telling her about ONE thing is not going to save her. I'm not from an English speaking country and yet I would never make a mistake like the one's you pointed out. She might be dyslexic but surely she would have someone proofreading then. Strange indeed but I advice you to stay out of it.

Could she be dyslexic? Personally, I would be frank about your concerns, but that's the way I am generally so my friends wouldn't take offence.