DEAR ABBY: Would you kindly inform your readers that there is nothing wrong with being the first person to go through a buffet line or be seated at the dinner table when dinner is called?
A hostess (or host) works hard to prepare a meal in a timely manner, and it seems impolite, almost rude, for guests to shuffle around waiting for someone else to go first. I'm pretty sure the hosts don't want to see their perfectly good meal sit on the table getting cold. There is no reward for going last, because the only thing that results from it is a frustrated host or hostess. -- EARLY BIRD IN OHIO
DEAR EARLY BIRD: At a dinner party in a private home, it is rude to ignore a host's request to be seated. For anyone who doesn't want to be the first at a buffet, the solution would be to say to your companions, "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. How about us getting in line?" It's better than having them listen to your stomach growl. But watch out for the stampede.