Does the two-outfit rule only apply to the bride?
I dont want to break marriage protocol. SOFT READER: What puzzles Miss Manners about this new habit of changing mid-celebration is why a bride would buy an uncomfortable wedding dress. Yes, Miss Manners realizes that is not really the explanation. Probably the only truly formal occasion in her life, the bride wants two overpriced dresses  one of which she might be lucky enough to wear later in town, as she can barely reappear in a long white dress with a train. Also, she doesnt know what to do with the train so that she can dance at the reception. (If done correctly, he has a loop to drape the train over his wrist.) More importantly, it is probably because by comfortable the bride means sexy. Anyway, if she wants to change, Miss Manners allows the bridesmaids to do that too. Dear Miss MANGERS: I invited someone to dinner and she said, Im fine, thank you. SOFT READER: That means no. It also means not good at the label. For Miss Manners, that would be tantamount to not repeating such an invitation to someone who clearly isnt flattered enough to be courteous. Dear Miss MANGERS: Due to similar apartment numbers, an elderly man in my building sometimes receives my mail in error. Three times he returned it  after opening and reading it. Despite the lack of apologies on his part, I understand that accidents happen and I have no ill will for mishaps. However, the two times he opened my bank statements he returned them and made some rather personal and derogatory comments about my bank balance and how I must like shopping a lot. I was stunned on these occasions and couldnt get much response. Im afraid if this happens again I may not be able to be polite. SOFT READER: It would be best done when a letter from him was given to you. Knock on his door and hold the letter just out of reach, as if waiting for a child to say please. Say, in a half-joking tone, I received one of your letters by mistake. Lets make a deal: I wont read your mail if you dont read mine. Miss Manners assumes its too much to hope that her letter is from a female hand and looks like a love letter. Please direct questions to Miss Manners on her website, www.missmanners.com; to his e-mail, [email protected]; or by regular mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.