DEAR ABBY: I am a young stay-at-home mom who loves to get out and meet people. I have a tendency to make friends with direct sales representatives. But once I have hosted a party or bought some of their merchandise to support them, I become a customer and the friendship ceases to exist. Is there a polite way to tell them I would rather not buy the product or host a party without losing their friendship? -- FRIENDLY IN MONTANA
DEAR FRIENDLY: You have been confusing friendship with business. People who cozy up to others to get them to buy a product or host a party are salespeople, not friends. And no, there isn't a "polite" way to tell someone like the folks you have described they haven't made the sale and maintain a "friendship" that never was one in the first place. You might have better luck finding friends if you reached out to other young mothers for companionship.