DEAR MISS MANNERS: We have several very overweight friends whom we often entertain in our home. We have been friends for more than 40 years, and numerous times they have broken the frames of our sofas and have also have broken chairs.
One friend in particular comes over quite often to watch sports games. He is probably 300-plus pounds and tends to just plop down hard onto our furniture.
What can we do or say to our heavy friends? We just replaced our sofas, AGAIN.
GENTLE READER: Your 300-pound friend is aware of his effect on furniture, and Miss Manners assures you that he takes no more pleasure in hearing a couch support snap under him than you do in making repairs.
Guide him to a chair that will support his weight with the explanation that you are sure he will be comfortable there. If you don't possess such a chair, buying one has to be cheaper than continuing to replace sofas.