"GENTLE READER: Safety and legality transcend etiquette's social obligations. You do not need to be welcoming to someone who is robbing your house. The fact that your neighbor was unsettled is enough evidence to affirm that she should not have opened the door. Trespassers of any kind need not be treated as guests, Miss Manners assures you. Even the police may not enter without a warrant."
"I can manage them when dining at home, and even in some restaurants, where I can choose what I can handle and request leave-outs. But dining at other people's homes is a challenge. If a host/hostess announces their menu ahead of time, and I can tell there's nothing I can eat, what do I do? Go, but take small portions and pretend to eat,"
Safety and legality transcend etiquette's social obligations. Individuals need not welcome potential criminals or open doors to strangers when feeling unsettled. Trespassers need not be treated as guests, and law enforcement generally requires proper authorization to enter private property. Food allergies are legitimate health concerns to disclose to a dinner host, even if unsolicited. Rearranging a menu or allowing a guest to bring their own food is preferable to risking a medical emergency. Clear communication about allergies and prioritizing safety over politeness preserve both health and respectful social interaction.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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