DEAR ABBY: It is picnic and barbecue season, and I would like to inform you of a disturbing trend that seems to be growing. When guests arrive at gatherings, they tend to prepare "to go" plates as soon as they arrive, take the plates to their cars, and then return to eat as if they had just arrived.
My mother-in-law thinks this practice is just fine. I think it is tasteless, to say the least. Will you please settle this disagreement between us? -- APPALLED IN CHICAGO
DEAR APPALLED: If this is a "trend," this is the first time I have heard about it. You may feel that taking food from a party to a hot car and returning to attend the gathering is "tasteless." I think it's downright dangerous because it could lead to food poisoning. The time to take leftovers is at the END of the party.