DEAR MISS MANNERS: A year ago, my husband and I met a couple with whom we thought we had enough in common to make a go of a friendship. We’ve come to regret the impulse.

Each time we’ve seen them has been a bit less enjoyable than the time before -- for us. They either really like us or they are desperate for companionship (I suspect the latter), because they continue to try to make plans. I have delayed responding; I’ve said we couldn’t make dates they suggested and have not offered alternatives.

When I was young and single and didn’t care to go out with someone, I was taught that it was acceptable to simply say that I wasn’t “interested.” I’m pretty sure that’s not the thing to say in this situation, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to convey the message. I’d like to get past this without being unkind or being thought badly of, but I will accept the bad thoughts if I must. Is there something I can say, or should I simply ignore repeated attempts to connect?

GENTLE READER: Sorry, but there is no decent way to say, “Now that we’ve gotten to know you better, we realize that you’re not very interesting.”

What you can do is to stop inviting them and stop accepting their invitations. No excuses are necessary. Just “Oh, I’m so sorry, we can’t. Thank you for inviting us.”

Miss Manners is aware that many people believe that frank declarations are better than merely drifting away. No, they are not. This is not a divorce we are discussing, but merely the kind of adjustment of social life that happens all the time for many different reasons.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How do I not come off sounding like the rude person when I ask someone next in line after me at a store checkout to please step back when I am trying to pay for my purchases?

This happens to me regularly, and the times that I have asked someone to please give me a little more space, they look at me like I am rude and sometimes start whispering under their breath to themselves or the person they are with.

Aren’t they being rude for invading my personal space and denying me privacy, especially when I am using my credit card and putting in my PIN codes?

What can I say that will not only make them back up in line, but perhaps even apologize and realize they were in the wrong, not me???

GENTLE READER: There is a slight but crucial difference between “Stop crowding me,” which is clearly meant when you ask for more space, and “I’m afraid I need a bit more space,” which suggests that it is you who need extra room to fish for your wallet or smack your forehead in the hope of remembering your PIN code. Miss Manners’ experience is that casting orders as favors results in fewer under-the-breath insults.

(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: How do you greet someone you know rather well when you encounter them in a shadowy situation where neither one of you should be, with people you shouldn’t be with? Just asking for a friend.

GENTLE READER: Please tell your friend that it is done with a half-smile, in which the lips move slightly but the cheeks do not. It means “I didn’t see you, and you didn’t see me.”

Miss Manners trusts that the two people are sneaking around to plan surprises for their spouses. Pleasant ones, that is.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a 30-year-old woman and I keep my head shaved. I know it’s unusual, but I think it’s cute. That’s all there is to it.

Other people, though, want to talk about it ... a lot. I get all kinds of questions, like, “Why do you have your hair like that?” trying to figure out if I’m sick or if I shaved it for charity. Twice, people who have battled with cancer wanted to know if I share their struggle. I don’t blame them one bit, but I still find it really awkward to say, “No, I just like my hair this way,” especially if I cannot reasonably excuse myself afterward.

With family, I get never-ending comments like, “Do you think you will ever grow your hair out again?” and “I think it was so cute when it was longer” and “If you’re cold all the time, why don’t you grow out your hair?”

I didn’t used to mind, but after years of these questions and comments, I am at the end of my rope. I worry that saying I don’t want to talk about it will seem harsh, give people the wrong idea about my health or make things awkward. What do you suggest?

GENTLE READER: Making things awkward. Or rather, allowing those who keep delivering uncalled-for remarks to realize how awkward and tiresome that is for you. Try something like, “Thanks for keeping track. I suppose I do need a trim.”

As you point out, cancer patients are not in that category. But Miss Manners disagrees that your choice trivializes their necessity. On the contrary, “No, I just do it because I think it’s chic” may free them to realize that wigs are not the only way they may look good.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A guest staying for a short time ran out of clean clothes. She asked me, with apologies, to launder some of her personal items.

What is the etiquette on such requests? Could I have offered to drop her undies at the local dry cleaner for laundering, or should I have suggested she could wash out an item or two and hang them in the bathroom overnight?

GENTLE READER: Asking your host to clean your underwear is so outrageous that Miss Manners recommends failing to acknowledge that it happened. You need only say, “Certainly -- you can hang them in the bathroom, or I can tell you where there is a dry cleaner.”

(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 boyfriend’s large, boisterous friend group meets up frequently. The events can go on until the early hours of the morning, but are fairly casual, and after midnight, people leave as they please.

What is the etiquette on saying goodbye?

Around midnight, when my boyfriend and I usually decide it’s time to go, most people will still be there. He insists we should say goodbye to everyone. He will walk around the room hugging everyone goodbye. I will say goodbye to the few people we were speaking to directly, and of course thank the host. There are always some people at the event who I didn’t even speak to that night.

What do you make of this?

GENTLE READER: That your boyfriend’s goodbyes must be as long and drawn-out as the parties themselves. Miss Manners now has a vivid image in her head of a strange man, with whom she has never spoken, suddenly giving her a hug goodbye.

Your approach is not rude -- and is infinitely less jarring.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was at a favorite restaurant where Southern fare is served family-style. Although I was dining alone, all of the food was served in large dishes, with portions for at least two people. Fried chicken, pot roast and several mouth-watering sides were presented.

Although I tried to sample each dish, there was far too much food to eat in one sitting. I assumed I would be able to take the leftovers with me, and envisioned a delicious next-day lunch.

When the meal came to an end, however, the waitress whisked the extra food away and wished me a good night. No “doggy bag” was offered. I paid the bill and left.

I must admit I was a bit perplexed by my experience. The meal was not inexpensive, and I cannot believe that the food served to me was to be reheated and served again. Who was in the wrong here -- myself for expecting to take the food I had paid for, or the restaurant for removing it?

GENTLE READER: Did you ask? Servers can be observant and intuitive, but mind-readers they are not. As your meal was being whisked away, Miss Manners assures you that you could have politely stopped her with, “Oh, I was hoping to take that home. Do you have some sort of container that I could fit it all in?”

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband has been diagnosed with a devastating illness and a worse prognosis. Our friends are stepping up and being a big help. Should I send a thank-you note for every meal and thing they send and bring? Or can I wait until our suffering is over?

GENTLE READER: As much as you are able, Miss Manner recommends that you do it now.

Good people should hear that their kindness, which you may be drawing on in the sad future, is welcome and appreciated. And unfortunately, you will likely be dealing with condolence letters to respond to after the fact.

(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.)