Dear Mary: How do I exit a WhatsApp group without causing offence?

Q. I remember a time when one could be confident of reaching all one’s circle through an announcement in the personal columns of the Times – for example to say that one was not sending out Christmas cards but instead would be making a donation to charity. Or, indeed, where one would be spending one’s honeymoon. My problem is that I have got terribly behind with answering emails and,  with more pouring in each day, I am beside myself. Would it be acceptable to email my entire address book with a generic apology for not having answered an email they may or may not have sent, and explaining how overwhelmed I am? –  O.W., London SW6

A. This sort of impersonal and egocentric announcement would cause resentment. Imagine if you received one yourself. Instead, pay a pop-up secretary to come in (or pose as one yourself) and email every person in your address book separately – using the ‘bcc’ option with the message: ‘I am currently assisting O.W.