Miss Manners: Hostess does the most-est and wants guests to notice

There is a wonderful hostess in my neighborhood who really goes all out in terms of food and ambiance for her guests. She is a mentor to me, inspiring me to host gatherings and reciprocate hospitality.

There is one habit of hers that makes me pause: She tends to announce, to all her guests, just how time-consuming and involved her efforts were. Simple party snacks are actually not so simple: “I pickled the vegetables, which were sourced from a farm stand. I baked the bread from wheat milled locally, and the bologna is from a family recipe. My feet sure hurt from those hours in the kitchen!”

Yes, Miss Manners, the tiny sandwiches that everyone is popping into their mouths took 12 hours of her time, and she wants to make sure that is noted. The responses of her guests are divided between eye rolls and helpful attempts to discourage her toil in the future. My fiancé told her she should check out the deli on the corner.Could I, or should I, engage her in conversation about these announcements? I feel bad that she is exhausting herself over simple things.

As this involves a valued mentor, the most selfless thing you can do, if you can stomach it, is to listen to her descriptions so that the other guests don't have to — and, Miss Manners hastens to add, make sure not to replicate such behavior at your own parties.My boyfriend and I have been dating for five years, and we just graduated from college a year ago.

How should I respond to this question without doubling the rudeness of the inquirer? I’ve been asked repeatedly since age 18 — and I am now an old maid, by Southern standards, at 23.any immediate plans to become engaged,” to which Miss Manners would append, “but thank you so much for asking” — which she has been given to understand is the Southern way of saying, “so mind your own business.

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Miss Manners: I can literally hear every single word of my neighbor’s conversations... but I am now unsure of how to approach this problem. Shout “Too loud!” over the fence? Drop a note in their mailbox?
Source: njdotcom - 🏆 282. / 63 Read more »

Miss Manners: Parents at failing private school aggressively promote fundraiser and one neighbor isn’t happyMy inquiries about the the school's financial details were met with an attitude of, “None of your business, just donate ...'
Source: njdotcom - 🏆 282. / 63 Read more »

Miss Manners: Our whole family is anxious about the flamboyant wedding guestWe are a professional family, and our lifestyle reflects that.
Source: mercnews - 🏆 88. / 68 Read more »

Miss Manners: Landlady wants to send model tenants a baby giftMiss Manners: Landlady wants to send model tenants a baby gift
Source: aldotcom - 🏆 82. / 68 Read more »

Miss Manners: Relative’s gifts always come with insults attachedI am out of patience with her nonsense, offended to a point where I am afraid I will say something I am not proud of ...
Source: njdotcom - 🏆 282. / 63 Read more »

Miss Manners: Relative keeps giving insulting giftsMiss Manners: Relative keeps giving insulting gifts
Source: aldotcom - 🏆 82. / 68 Read more »