You may also be interested in:

I know I’ve been invited to a New Year’s party because I am fairly recently divorced, but is it alright for me to be bringing a date? She’s someone I met last week who I really want to spend New Year’s with? I know some of my friends will be there and I’m sure she’ll fit in but I sense that if I ask, the hostess will say, No. On the other hand, if I just bring her along as my date, is that OK?

–RD, Staten Island, NY

About a single person taking a date to a party.

You are not in high school any longer. It is up to the hostess. Text your host and ask if you can bring Alice, or whatever her name is. Chances are she has a generous spirit and will include someone she doesn’t know.

My question is this. If the party starts with a seated dinner, will there be enough room for both you and Alice at the table?

Also, have you considered that you may be being invited as an extra man because there will be lovely ladies possibly of interest to you?

It would be presumptuous for a guest to bring another guest without asking the host ahead of time. Chances are your host will be happy to see you with or without a date.

~Didi