DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the polite way to respond when asked if you are attending an event to which you were not invited? For example: An old college friend of mine is getting married this year. A separate mutual friend asked whether I would be attending the bridal shower.
I was not invited to the bridal shower. I am not surprised that I did not receive an invitation since we have not spoken in years. I did not want to respond, "No, I'm not attending because I was not invited" because I am afraid it sounds bitter, which I'm not at all! For future reference, what is the appropriate response?
GENTLE READER: "No, I'm afraid we haven't seen each other for a long time," said pleasantly and with no animosity. If you are genuinely curious about the event and can inquire about it in a similarly unbiased fashion, then Miss Manners will allow you to pursue the subject, but otherwise change it.