Letter writer doesn’t have “evening cocktail” attire to attend the wedding of a good friend’s son. Dear Miss Manners: We have been invited to the wedding of a very good friend’s son. When I went online to RSVP, it said, “Attire: evening cocktail — slacks, cocktail dresses, jackets, etc.”

The equivalent: “I do not share your sentiment” is a handy all-purpose disclaimer for offensive or prejudiced statements. But Miss Manners further suggests that you find a better quality of acquaintances. DEAR MISS MANNERS: I ran into a friend, “Chloe,” who asked if I happened to know her friend “Nicole.” I said that I did know Nicole.

We always look nice, though! We don’t want to spend money on clothing that we will never wear again, or that is just not us. EVER. How do I decline the invite without offending/hurting my friend or her son?