Dear Queenie,
My husband's sister likes to entertain the whole family on every occasion. My problem is the way she does it.
The TV is on the whole time, so loud you can't hold a decent conversation without shouting over it and then someone will try to hush you up so they can hear the TV. Children are not welcome at the table, but have their own table in the kitchen and when they're done eating they have to go play in a bedroom. They can't even watch TV with the grownups. And the meal starts at 6:00pm sharp even if not everyone has arrived yet, and ends as soon as the hostess is done eating, after which you are expected to leave. And if I bring anything to eat as a hostess gift she hands it back to me when we leave.
Queenie, should I try to plan a party for them to show them how it should be done or would that just make them mad at me?—Disgusted
Dear Disgusted,
Obviously opinions differ as to how entertaining "should be done."
By all means plan your own event, but be sure to omit any sort of judgmental attitude. If you receive any comments about your different style of entertaining, just tell them, "This is the way we do it in my family," and let them draw their own conclusions.
If they learn from your example, fine. If not, that is their problem; do not make it yours.
