DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife and I live in a very sociable neighborhood. The neighbors are not just casual acquaintances but good friends whose company we enjoy.
Our frustration lies with one friend in particular who lives in the house facing ours. The lady in question promptly accepts invitations to dinners or cocktail parties, and when she attends is a welcome and enjoyable guest.
However, she regularly texts my wife and me 15 minutes prior to the event and announces that she has settled in for the evening in her pajamas and is going to watch TV. This happens even though cocktails are early, around 6 p.m. most times.
Perhaps you could suggest a response to this friend for these texts, which make us feel that our event is of so little importance she cannot walk 100 feet to our door for an hour and then politely excuse herself before settling in to watch TV.
GENTLE READER: While there may be no response that will likely get her to change, not inviting her at all surely will. If she is bold enough to question why, say, "Oh, we felt so bad asking you to part with your valuable time at home. You are, of course, always welcome here if you see that we are entertaining. Just let us know when you are free."
Miss Manners feels confident that this woman will soon come running.
(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.)