DEAR MISS MANNERS: I enjoy theater and concerts and am in a position to treat others to these events. I usually purchase two tickets and invite a friend who might enjoy the event.

Unfortunately, some of these friends either do not respond, or say that they want to wait before answering, due to other anticipated commitments (work, children’s activities). In some cases, they accept, then cancel very close to the event.

In the former two cases, I follow up with an inquiry as to whether they are able to attend. If not, I then offer tickets to other friends. Since the cancellation is sometimes a day before, I am left to find another person to come at the last minute.

Often, I need to ask multiple people before finding one who is free. I am unsure how to word these invitations, as it will see

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