Q. Is there a tactful way of finding out who
else is going to a house party before accepting? I know it is bad manners to ask but my problem is that, as a single man in my late thirties, I very often am asked, and regularly, by people I don’t know that well. On arrival it becomes clear that I have been set up with some single woman who is just not my type or, worse, she is my type but I am not hers. I cannot stand these social booby-traps any more and would just like to know how the land lies before I accept. I know this makes me sound arrogant so I am withholding my name and address.
Name and address withheld A. Say ‘What a coincidence. I met someone else this week who was talking about you and saying they were coming to stay too. Now who was it? I must be going mad... oh this is driving me mad!’ Then stay silent while your host runs through the list. In this way you can at least be psychologically prepared for what romantic possibilities may await you in the house party.
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