Invitation Impasse: When you've already said yes
Have a safe and wonderful new year!
Q: I have recently accepted an invitation to a small dinner party hosted by a new friend. The problem is, shortly after I accepted and with two days notice, a college roommate called to say she could come visit me the same weekend. Should I cancel? Can I bring my friend with me?
A: You’ve already accepted the invitation to dinner; it would be impolite to cancel because you’ve now decided to do something else that evening. And you can’t show up at the dinner with an extra person in tow: A surprise like that is never a good idea. Phoning only a couple of days ahead to ask if you can bring your pal isn’t much better, because it puts the host on the spot. Tell your old friend you already have plans that night and offer to find something else she can do while you’re at the dinner party, like a movie.