DEAR ABBY: I received a Facebook "invitation to an event" from one of my local friends. Her daughter who lives out of state is expecting, and this is an "online shower." The invitation contains a link to her daughter's registry. There's no date -- just choose a gift and pay to have it sent to her. The daughter is fully employed as a high school life skills teacher, and her husband is a minister.
I always thought of a shower as a social gathering to honor a mother-to-be with gifts, see what gifts she receives, play games, have refreshments and visit. This new concept seems in poor taste to me. While I don't intend to participate, I feel rude just clicking on "Not going." Am I being a crotchety old relic? -- OLD TIMER IN TEXAS
DEAR OLD TIMER: In light of the fact that you didn't mention whether you know or even like your friend's daughter, I don't think you are being a "crotchety old relic." Because you received what I would call a stripped-down version of an "invitation," you should not feel rude in responding in the same fashion. Just click no, if that's the only option you've been given.