DEAR MISS MANNERS: I sometimes get an invitation that sets my teeth on edge. It goes something like this: "I'm having some people for dinner Saturday night. You're welcome to join us." I always discover I have a previous engagement. It's like being told that if you show up, we won't throw you out. Am I being too thin-skinned here?
GENTLE READER: Perhaps the diagnosis should be about their tin ears rather than your thin skin and edgy teeth. All they have to do is to say that they would love to have you to dinner. How hard is that?
Perhaps they think that the word "welcome" makes you sound like less of an afterthought. Miss Manners is not even sure that they actually already invited others, or that they will treat them any less carelessly.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)