DEAR MISS MANNERS: Last year, I had a major health event, which all my friends know about. I am still recovering and get tired easily.

When a group of friends are dining out, once we’ve finished and paid, one person sometimes wants to stay and nurse their drink and chat. And because I have manners, I don’t feel it’s polite or nice to leave them at the table alone.

However, I then end up staying way past my physical limit, feeling angry and resentful for being “stuck” due to common courtesy.

What is the right course of action here? I want to simply say, “I’m sorry that I can’t stay to keep you company. I wish I could, but I’m completely exhausted and need to get home and rest.”

One time, it was snowing and the person who elected to stay had no ride home. Yes, she could’ve gotten a ride-

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