Greetings, Miss Manners Our family gathers for a communal meal to commemorate numerous festivals. Each member of the family that has the space hosts in turn. Everybody contributes to the lunch, with the host providing the main course and a few sides.
Up until a few years ago, this was working perfectly. In order for the leftovers to be carried home, my niece and her husband bring containers from their house to fill with leftovers. They even load their plates with more food than they could reasonably consume.
I’m hosting this year, and I’ll be serving a meat-based lunch. Only the meal I make separately for my niece and her husband will be suitable for their vegetarian diet.
How can the hosts resolve this matter going forward without coming out as uncivil or cruel? There is more than enough money for the couple to sustain themselves.
Stories by
Judith Martin
-
Miss Manners: I know my online crush isn’t the celebrity he says he is, but I’m falling in love with him anyway!
-
Miss Manners: How can I stop co-worker group chat from blowing up my phone with unnecessary info?
-
Miss Manners: What can dinner host do when guests provide laundry list of foods they avoid, are allergic to?
PERSONAL READER: Though a little sly and indirect, your answer is ingenious. Miss Manners advises you to respond, “Oh, we have plans for those leftovers, but please enjoy all you like while you are here,” when the couple pulls out the containers if you want to be more direct or if you’re sick of cooking all that meat.
Miss Manners can be reached by email at [email protected], via her website at www.missmanners.com, or by mail at Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
