Interconnect

Your problems solved | 1 November 2003

Etiquette advice from The Spectator's Miss Manners

issue 01 November 2003

Dear Mary…

Q. My husband and I are planning to celebrate our 55th (emerald) wedding anniversary with a modest family party. We have verbally accepted a quotation for a finger buffet from a local caterer, but our grandson, who with his wife runs a small catering business in Birmingham, has expressed a wish to do the catering. Delighted as we are with this offer, we find ourselves in a bit of a quandary: we were hoping that this couple would be among our guests, and we don’t want them to be occupied in the menial task of preparing the buffet and clearing up afterwards. On the other hand, we don’t want to deprive them of the opportunity to promote their business and make a profit. What do you suggest, Mary?
P.G.H., Colchester, Essex

A. You must be firm with your grandson, whose expectations are clearly unrealistic.

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