DEAR MISS MANNERS: Do you think it is proper to receive a dinner invitation from a neighbor/friend to eat leftovers that they cooked the night before? And, if this is declined, is it right for the neighbor to get a bit of an attitude and say they are feeling "rejected" because of it?
GENTLE READER: Although Miss Manners feels misled by the phrasing here and is not sure which side she is being manipulated to take, she will rule in favor of the subtext of the transaction.
If it was a casual invitation from the neighbor/friend, there was nothing wrong with being upfront about its informality: "I have some wonderful leftovers from last night if you would like to stop by for dinner." If the invitee rejected this by saying, "Ew, no thanks, I don't want your sloppy seconds. I deserve a first-run meal!" then Miss Manners could hardly blame the neighbor for being offended.
It is when a formal invitation is issued and leftovers are obviously and conspicuously offered, so as to suggest the company's lack of importance, that Miss Manners would rule in the would-be guest's favor -- whoever that may be.