BM> I read the original, and it appears (which I didn't realize from your
 BM> post) that the hosts had makings for a meal that they generously

 YES! I forgot that part!!! Thanks. I should have hunted for the
article but I was too lazy to go through the recycling bin. Sorry. Next
time I'll put wanted article right here by the puter and refer to it
directly instead of trying to do so from memory.

Talk about GALL. Yes. The woman said her widowed friend was  fantastic
cook.... A compliment at the face of it but an insult for how it was
used as a manipulative matchmaking tool.

My sister is a fantastic cook. When she came to visit we cooked
together. She taught me a few tricks here and there. We had a great
time. But I'd never burden her with the responsibility of cooking an
entire meal even if she offered. If the request was made say for a
family gathering to help with the meal preparation that would be
different and okay as long as the good cook is willing.

 BM> thought the widow would be delighted to prepare for the date (while
 BM> the hosts made themselves scarce.)  It was the hosts who asked the man

 These hosts are true meddlers. That's for sure. I hope the widow
knows to make HERSELF scarce from them, now.

 BM> to leave after the widow departed.  I'll bet it will be a long time
 BM> before either the man or the widow accept a dinner date without very
 BM> closely questioning the would-be hosts, and assessing their trust in
 BM> said would-be hosts.

  A VERY long time. But I also bet you that host and hostess took
offense rather than learned a valuable lesson as Ms. Manners attempted
to *politely* provide. (She is not one to be rude to the rude, she
has more style than that- yet there's no escaping how the cluelessly rude
will react as if they're being unjustly offended instead.

Cindy

... Junk - stuff we throw away.  Stuff - junk we keep.

--- PPoint 3.01