DEAR MISS MANNERS: I often struggle with finding the right time to serve the meal at a dinner party. Should it be as soon as all the guests have arrived? Or maybe when all the appetizers are gone?

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I often struggle with finding the right time to serve the meal at a dinner party. Should it be as soon as all the guests have arrived? Or maybe when all the appetizers are gone?

DEAR MISS MANNERS: At a dinner party, my companion quietly excused herself after the meal to smoke a cigarette. She went outside, over our nonsmoking hostess’s protestations that inside was fine. As I ...

Hosting a dinner party is one of those occasions that can understandably elevate stress levels. Catering to dietary preferences, planning guest lists, and sourcing ingredients in advance can add a ...