DEAR MISS MANNERS: My youngest son is getting married this summer season. His wife-to-be has a big prolonged household.
I’ve acquired an invite to a dinner/bathe which, throughout the highest in huge letters, states: “Couples only.”
I’m not in a pair, and haven’t been for a while. I’m not courting anybody, and my ex-husband is useless, so I can’t ask him. I’m not positive what the proper method is to RSVP.
I believe this may be the primary of comparable invitations that can come this manner.
GENTLE READER: The wording is unlucky, however Miss Manners is guessing that it’s not meant to say you can’t come to dinner except you might be married. Slightly, it’s in all probability to recommend that single folks shouldn’t carry what’s (additionally sadly) often known as a plus-one.
At the very least, allow us to hope so. Test along with your son. In the event that they actually imply that they’re working a Noah’s Ark operation, he may wish to rethink hopping aboard.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: We’ve been invited to a mixture graduate/Father’s Day gathering at an in-law’s home.
The hosts urged it with a purpose to honor all of the fathers within the household, in addition to the three graduates: my husband from grad faculty, our son from highschool and the hosts’ daughter from highschool. Our in-laws have provided to offer all of the meals and drinks.
With one week to go, we’ve been knowledgeable that the hosts will present a video of their daughter’s life by way of highschool. The daughter is clever, athletic and achieved (head of her faculty’s newspaper, and so forth.).
Our son has a studying dysfunction and labored very laborious, together with taking summer season faculty and repeating some courses, with a purpose to go our state’s highschool exit examination and graduate. His accomplishments are extra private than his cousin’s, that are public.
My brother-in-law has “invited” us to place a video collectively for our son and produce it to share. We don’t know the way, and it’s awfully quick discover for us, who’re technologically challenged. (BIL works within the laptop business.)
What are our well mannered choices? Is there a form strategy to keep away from watching the cousin’s video, or should friends indulge their host’s each whim? Additionally, how will we defend our kids from what’s sure to encourage uneven comparisons on this aggressive household? Ought to we even fear about that?
GENTLE READER: Miss Manners doesn’t essentially consider that household competitions must be inspired. However right here is the right way to win this one:
Don’t make a movie. After sitting by way of the celebration of the hosts’ daughter, the remainder of the household can be solely too grateful to not have to look at one other.
Simply rise up and say, “Congratulations, Olivia! That’s wonderful. We’re equally proud of Liam’s achievements, but we’re not filmmakers, so I’m afraid you’ll just have to take our word for it.”
You — and Liam — will in all probability get an ovation.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Can/ought to one want a Roman Catholic priest a cheerful Father’s Day?
GENTLE READER: In case you are positive that he has a humorousness.
Please ship your inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, www.missmanners.com; to her electronic mail, gentlereader@missmanners.com; or by way of postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas Metropolis, MO 64106.
