DEAR ABBY: This is in response to the letter from "Dreading It in the Carolinas," who suggested that people check out the comfort level of their guest room -- or lack thereof.
Abby, we're on the verge of needing a booking agent to manage the comings and goings of all our houseguests. Often there are only a few hours between guests in which to change the sheets and clean the bathroom.
I always put fresh flowers in the guest room, offer turn-down service in the evenings and serve meals planned well in advance. Yet, I overhear comments that the bed is too soft, the bed is too hard, the house is too hot or too cold, the bird is too noisy, the dog is too friendly, ad infinitum. And yes, I have experienced the veiled insult of sheets, towels, silverware, etc., received as hostess gifts.
Abby, our guests are welcome to share whatever worldly possessions we have, but if what we have doesn't meet their standards, perhaps the hotel down the street would be more to their liking. People who hitchhike shouldn't complain that there's no heater in the car! -- LOVE ME, NOT MY HOUSE, COEUR D'ALENE, IDAHO
DEAR LOVE ME: I suspect you may be overreacting to some of the comments you've overheard. The volume of guests you're entertaining attests to the quality of your hospitality. I'm sure you are an excellent hostess. However, to regard hostess gifts you have received from former houseguests as "veiled insults" only generates ill-feeling where no offense may have been intended, so please try to be less defensive.