DEAR MISS MANNERS: I went to visit friends out of town, staying at their home to enjoy a weekend festival. One of the friends I was staying with was also performing in the festival, and by Sunday evening, was exhausted and went to bed around 8 p.m.
I remained at the festival and met a new friend, enjoying conversation and a meal. Later, my new friend offered to drop me off where I was staying, which I accepted. On the way, he mentioned that he needed to use the facilities, if possible.
Now, I don’t want to inconvenience a person when nature calls, but as a guest, I also don’t feel right allowing a complete stranger into my host’s home.
In this case, my new friend politely changed course and said that he would find a restroom on the way to his own home after he dropped me off. So I was spared having to provide a response. But how should I respond in the future when this kind of thing happens? What prerogatives are allowed to a guest?
GENTLE READER: They are not allowed to invite additional guests, no matter what kind of intentions nature has in mind.
Not only because it was not your home, but also because you had just met the gentleman, Miss Manners is worried about your safety. No doubt, he assumed that you were having similar concerns. But then, there may be some doubt that he really had to go to the bathroom.