What do you say or do when someone out of the Blue - generally a fellow user who rarely comments and so is quite new to you - suddenly e-mails for the first time saying he or she will be in town, is interested in something you could help with and would like to have a drink with you?

It's clearly a friendly invitation but how do you politely decline, without having to lie and/or appearing to be a stuffed shirt?
posted by MiguelCardoso on Oct 21, 2004 - 45 answers

Do current table manners in your part of the world suggest you should finish everything on your plate or leave a little? [More inside.] [more inside]
posted by MiguelCardoso on Aug 23, 2004 - 34 answers