Mary Killen Mary Killen

Dear Mary | 11 April 2019

Q. We sent out email invitations to our drinks party and have had too many acceptances. The venue has said that due to fire regulations we will have to reduce numbers by 20 people. What should we do?
— T.L., Wantage, Oxon

A. Email again, explaining the issue and asking for 20 volunteers to identify themselves as willing to attend a second drinks party on another specified date. Say the first 20 to reply will win places. You will find you are inundated, since people of your age group don’t like crowded rooms as they can’t hear anything. All the deaf friends will come forward immediately and the problem will be sorted.

Q. I have recently married a non-confrontational man whose barber has been giving him the same over-severe short back and sides for 20 years. My husband would like the barber to go easier but says he is embarrassed to ask, as he has always pronounced himself highly satisfied. He plans to stick it out for the next five years until the man retires so as to spare his feelings. But what about my feelings?
— R.M., London W11

A. Let him continue to patronise this barber but during each appointment ring the salon and, in irritable tones, ask that your husband telephone you as soon as possible. This will allow him to use you, the new and demanding wife, as a proxy to request that the savage cuts be moderated.

Q. Three of my male friends are going on a golfing trip. There are two rooms available, a twin and a single. All three are married, two to women and one to a man.

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