DEAR ABBY: A year ago, my husband and I moved into a lovely neighborhood. We became acquainted with our neighbors across the street, and they seemed like nice people. The problem is they now assume they are our best friends.
We have introduced them to a few of our old friends, and now they think they are part of our "group." They have even followed us when we have been invited to our friends' homes and have shown up uninvited. We don't tell them where we are going -- they drive around until they spot our car.
This is very embarrassing. We are afraid our old friends will stop inviting us knowing that these neighbors will show up too.
How do we handle this without hurting their feelings? We have never had a problem like this before. -- ANNA IN ATLANTA
DEAR ANNA: Your neighbors probably have no friends because they are so needy and possessive. However, following you and intruding on others' get-togethers is rude. Their unacceptable behavior will not stop until someone (how about you?) explains to them that guests who drop in uninvited are not welcome.