DEAR ABBY: I have two ideas for "Steamed in Minnesota," who has uninvited "moochers" show up on weekend afternoons, loaf around until dinnertime and expect to get a free meal.
One: Don't serve dinner, crackers or refreshments of any kind. Just sit around, be polite, wait it out, and don't act hungry. (Think of it as playing "chicken" over chicken!)
Two: A couple of hours before these moochers expect to be given a free meal, announce that earlier in the day you made dinner reservations at the "Fantastico Room" at the "Ritzy Hotel" -- and if they call now, you are sure they can get a table near yours. -- PREVENT MOOCHERS IN THE MIDWEST
DEAR PREVENT: Your solutions are creative, but some of these loafers are pros at the game. So, one: Be prepared to starve; and two: If they call your bluff, be sure to ask the servers at the "Ritzy Hotel" for separate checks!