ArcaMax

I hope you don't let this keep you down. You might do better hosting a gathering in a bar or bowling alley, where people can come and go and basically hide behind their drinks.

Because you've had this experience, I hope you will commit to showing up for people, or at least giving a timely and accurate RSVP. It's so important.

For inspiration, view some episodes of the old (and still great) "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Lead character Mary Richards was perfect in every way, and yet still managed to have a very tough time when it came to throwing a party.

And next year, add me to your invite list. I WILL show.

Dear Amy: What do I do with my pushy 90-year-old husband, who thinks he's a lothario?

When being introduced to the daughter or even granddaughter of friends or neighbors, he feels compelled to come forth with a sexually-based comment.

I have told him how inappropriate this is. His answer is that he is kidding. How can I stop "loverboy" from making a fool of himself?

-- Driving Me Nuts!

Dear Nuts: During a time when you two are alone, you should ask him, "Do you realize that this kind of talk is wrong, offensive, rude, and -- not the way a gentleman should behave? You are offending these people, and you are embarrassing them, yourself and me." In another era, he might have thought this was OK, but really it has never been OK. Women now are more open about how these sorts of comments make them feel. And they don't like it.

If he thinks this is appropriate "kidding" behavior, then he needs to rework his comedy act.

Depending on the dynamic, if you see acute discomfort from the recipient of this nonsense, you might hop in and say to the "victim" of this failed humor: "Oh, please excuse him, he thinks he's Bob Hope."

Once you explain who Bob Hope was, things should have been smoothed over.

Dear Amy: "High and Dry" complains that people at the swimming pool in drought-stricken California waste water in the showers. I would like to know what she is doing at the swimming pool in the first place. Swimming pools use huge amounts of water. She should go jogging, instead. What a hypocrite.

-- Disgusted

Dear Disgusted: "High and Dry" was swimming in already-used water. She is trying to conserve not-yet used water. I'm with her.

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(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)