DEAR MISS MANNERS: We no longer wish to have company stay more than three days. It’s just too hard on us to be “on” and take responsibility for guests’ welfare.
How can we tell people whom we have invited to come see us that we have a three-day rule?
GENTLE READER: Not by quoting Benjamin Franklin (who may have been quoting an earlier source): “Fish and visitors stink after three days.”
Miss Manners suggests a more positive approach: “We would love to have you stay with us from the 5th until the 8th.”