DEAR EMILY: Party-planning honor draws stiff competition

DEAR Emily
Published: June 5, 2008

Dear Emily: My sister is pregnant, expecting her first child in six months, and I’d like to throw her a baby shower. But she also has a best friend, Tamera, who is very overbearing. I’m afraid she’ll try to take over the whole event and not let me have any part. Should I tell my sister my problem, or risk talking to Tamera?
— Party Planning Blues

Dear Party Planning Blues: Start by asking your sister if you can host the party. If she agrees, cut off any trouble with Tamera before it arises. Call her and let her know your plans. Make it clear from the start that you are throwing the party, and she is welcome to help if she would like. Perhaps if you establish right away that you are the boss, she’ll be content with the role you’ve assigned her to play.

Dear Emily: I’m not a big drinker, and my boss asked me to go to a bar with him and some clients after work for a business get-together next week. I want to prove that I am just like one of the guys and throw back a few drinks, but I’m a woman with a very low tolerance and don’t know what to order. I don’t want to pick something too strong and get tipsy (and unprofessional), but I don’t want to get something too “girly” and risk not fitting in. What should I do?
— Clueless Over Cocktails

Dear Clueless Over Cocktails: Sometimes standing out from the crowd is better than trying to be like everyone else. So order whatever you want, and prove that you aren’t scared to be yourself. Besides, after you order drinks, no one is going to give a second thought to what is in your glass anyway. But if you disagree and insist on having that macho drink, following the lead of your boss is a good alternative. Or show some class and order a glass of wine.

Dear Emily: I have been dating my boyfriend “Angelo” for seven months now, and I think we’re both getting pretty serious about each other. The thing is, he told me once that he is very close with his brothers and sisters (he has four siblings), but he has never introduced me to his family. Is that weird? I mean, if he is that close with them, and he is serious with me, wouldn’t he want them to meet me? 
— Feeling Slighted

Dear Feeling Slighted: Seven months is a long time to go without running into any of your boyfriend’s family members or being invited over to meet them. Unless they live far away (which is an acceptable excuse), you may want to ask him why he never introduced you to them. Perhaps he is serious about you, but isn’t sure about your feelings towards him. Have you introduced him to your family yet?