DEAR MISS MANNERS: I love to dance, and take classes three times a week. We learn new dances and also repeat old ones. There is a woman in one class who just stands still and gets in the way when we move around; it is impossible to keep up when someone keeps blocking one’s way.

It was so bad during the last class that I had to keep stopping to avoid running into her, which was very annoying, so I moved to the other side of the room. To my chagrin, she followed me to the other side of the room and continued to block my way!

When I complained to another dancer afterward, he told me that this woman can only see shadows, and that she was staying close to me to try and follow what I was doing.

Going blind must be awful, and I think it is great that she’s attending a dance class in spite of this challenge, but there are lots of other dancers to try and follow besides me. I don’t want her to keep following me around, since she obviously cannot see what I’m doing, or she wouldn’t keep blocking me. Is there a kind and tactful way to handle this, short of dropping out?

GENTLE READER: One choice would be for you to inform the leader of the class, and to request that arrangements be made to instruct this student in dancing without your having to participate.

Another choice would be to feel flattered at this lady’s admiration of you, and to use part of your time to guide her in dance steps more directly, thus learning something in addition.

Miss Manners probably needn’t tell you which she would prefer.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have been giving consumable gifts for Christmas and birthdays in the past few years, partly because people always complain about having too much stuff around, and partly because that way I can provide something enjoyable on a student’s budget. I have given food, bath things and tickets, depending on the tastes of the “give-ee.”

The problem is that I have no way of knowing if the gift was enjoyed or if I should go in a different direction the next time. My friends and family tell me that they enjoy the gifts and thank me for them, but they are polite enough to do that even if I gave them something dreadful.

I know that I should not ask if people liked gifts after I have given them, but I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable, and I can let it go if need be.

GENTLE READER: The charming custom of exchanging presents -- as opposed to the decidedly uncharming ones of exchanging shopping lists or payments -- has to involve informed guessing. You note people’s tastes, as you say, and hope that they will be pleased (and express gratitude either way).

Miss Manners agrees that you are not going to get critical feedback from polite people. But you have another year to observe what they serve at home or order at restaurants, and what shows they see -- if not their bathing habits.

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I guess I did a novel thing: I decided my friends on social media should be my actual friends.

So I unfriended that guy from high school that I don’t even remember sharing a class with; the woman I was barely acquainted with when I worked at that one company I left 20 years ago; the local real estate agent who sold a house to me, like, 17 years ago, etc. Basically, I’m only friends with people I know and would enjoy having a cup of coffee with now.

Well, I ran into the real estate woman at the hardware store yesterday, and the first thing she said to me was, “I don’t see you online anymore -- did you unfriend me?!?”

And I stammered that I didn’t think so, and then changed the subject. Later, when I was home, I saw that she was trying to friend me again, which so far I’m ignoring. She’s perfectly pleasant and I’m happy to make small talk the next time I run into her, but when that happens and she asks again about “unfriending,” what do I say?

GENTLE READER: That is the problem with public declarations of acquaintanceship disguised as friendship. Miss Manners suggests that you say, “I am afraid that my social media use was getting out of control ...” and not finish that sentence, leaving it up to the listener to infer whether you discontinued it altogether or only in regards to them.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have signed up (and paid for) a 90-day nutritional program at my gym. The coach has given each of us specific calorie goals and nutrition guidelines. I am also participating in the “no alcohol” part of the program.

My husband and I enjoy going out for dinner after work, oftentimes with friends, and I anticipate that I will be ordering off-menu when we go out, likely asking our servers many questions.

I am inquiring about the best way to be “that person” while not being rude or overly demanding. I would like to stay true to the promises I have made to my coach and myself, but I would also like to have a nice meal with my friends when we go out, without being left with, “I’ll have plain grilled chicken, steamed broccoli and water, please.”

GENTLE READER: Call the restaurant first, or look up the menu online. When you make the reservation, ask if they would be willing to take any special requests in advance.

Miss Manners feels certain that any reasonably accommodating restaurant will be just as eager and relieved as your fellow guests not to have to go through a lengthy list of ingredients and swap-outs during a busy mealtime. If, however, they are not amenable when you call, perhaps you could describe that scenario in painfully graphic detail.

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband’s family was not trained in etiquette as mine was, which I can understand. However, to me, much of their behavior crosses the line as rude and inconsiderate.

My mother-in-law passed away earlier this year, and was occasionally rude at family dinners that I hosted, but I felt that she genuinely cared about me, and I overlooked her behavior as ignorance.

My husband’s sister, on the other hand, is rude and inconsiderate, and thinly veils her contempt for me. She waits until late afternoon on the day of a dinner to ask if she can bring anything, knowing that I will have planned and prepared everything by then. She doesn’t lift a finger to help out, points at dishes and asks “What is that?,” makes statements like “It’s 7:30, shouldn’t we eat now?” (when she has not prepared one part of the meal), and I have caught her making a look of disgust at me when I looked up from my meal.

On other occasions, she shows up early and asks if I have “anything to munch on” or “anything sweet.” She wanders around the house to see if I’ve changed anything or look at what I’ve done, etc., bringing along her adult daughters or whoever else may be with her. I can’t take being angry and hurt anymore.

GENTLE READER: Since you managed to indulge your mother-in-law’s idiosyncrasies, perhaps you can do the same for your sister-in-law -- particularly if your husband is not going to help.

In the meantime, Miss Manners suggests that you try saying in your sweetest tone, “Oh, dear. I never seem to be able to please you. I will just have to observe how you do things the next time we have dinner at your house.” This will either force her to be the host next time or concede that it will not happen -- so that she had better appreciate what she has here.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a guest at an upcoming wedding. Due to health issues, I MUST eat low-sodium. The bride, groom and mother of the groom all know this.

The mother of the groom just told me what the main dish is. It will consist of nearly four meals’ worth of sodium. Just for the entree.

Normally, at a restaurant, I eat half and box half for tomorrow’s lunch. I worry that a wedding is different. I don’t go to very many, and I am less than six months into the new dietary restriction.

Is it allowed to box up leftovers to enjoy at a later date?

Also, can I get away with not wearing hose with my shoes?

GENTLE READER: No and yes. A wedding is different from a restaurant in that it is an extension of the hosts’ home. Leftovers should certainly not be expected to be part of the deal.

Eat what you can and leave the rest on your plate, ensuring beforehand that you are well fortified before attending the event. For your trouble, Miss Manners will be lenient about not wearing stockings.

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)