DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it proper for a man and woman who are building a house but aren’t married to have a housewarming?
GENTLE READER: We are not, Miss Manners presumes, talking about a widowed, elderly brother and sister who have decided to retire together. Your question really is: Does etiquette condemn couples who cohabitate without being married?
In fact, etiquette does not care, this being a question of morals, not manners. Anyone who objects to the arrangement is free to decline the invitation.
(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.)