Miss Manners: Can I stop feeding my guests to get them to leave?
Briefly

In hosting a cocktail hour, maintaining the right amount of food is crucial for guests' comfort and the event's flow. A hostess should monitor food levels and replenish lightly, but must avoid encouraging prolonged lingering past dinner time. Empty platters can communicate that it’s time for guests to leave, though it's appropriate to fill or clear empty receptacles. Furthermore, when discussing personal issues with clients, it's common to encounter unsolicited religious sentiments, which some may find disruptive if they don’t share the same beliefs.
If the cheese platter is reduced to a few bites, the hostess should monitor and replenish it but be cautious not to extend the event too long.
Empty platters should signal to guests that it's time to say thanks and goodbye, but it’s also important for the hostess to fill any empty receptacles.
It is essential for the hostess to gracefully balance the food quantity to avoid guests lingering at the cocktail hour, ultimately making them feel welcomed.
When sharing personal challenges, one should be prepared to encounter unsolicited religious sentiments, which can be uncomfortable if they conflict with one’s own beliefs.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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