DEAR MISS MANNERS: When my daughters invited some friends to a sleepover at our house, one mother asked if I would be providing supper. I said that I would, mentioning that we would be having hamburgers and fries.
One girl immediately declared her hatred of these foods. Before I thought how to respond, the girl’s mother assured her that it was OK, that I would find something she would like to eat.
This put me in an awkward position, as that particular child proved to be extremely picky. While I did want to be a gracious hostess, I did not wish to be a short-order cook for a child who refused numerous options. What would have been a reasonable response on my part?
GENTLE READER: “Well, I will certainly do my best, and I hope that she will find something she might like.” Miss Manners recommends that this statement be uttered with studied and consistent eye contact with the parent.
(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.)