DEAR ABBY: When I’m invited to a friend’s house for dinner and asked to bring dessert, I always make something fresh and delicious for that evening. Lately, I’m noticing that several friends, when invited to my house or another friend’s party, are bringing along half-eaten desserts from the previous evening’s family dinner.
I think this is rude. It’s like they’re saying, “You’re not worth the effort.” Is this a new trend, or am I too sensitive? -- IRRITATED IN IDAHO
DEAR IRRITATED: You’re not too sensitive, and if this is a new trend, I haven’t heard of it. Many hosts serve fresh food to their guests and are careful about how it is presented. By that I mean, it is not half-consumed and doesn’t look like leftovers. If the “several friends” who do this don’t have time to prepare something