Annie's Mailbox: Doggie bag questionable

Dear Annie: I have a few friends who think it's OK to take a doggie bag home from a buffet. They carry a plastic bag with them in order to put food in it and then stick it in their purses when they leave the restaurant. Is this stealing? Can a person be arrested for it? — Questioning in Missouri

Dear Missouri: This is up to the restaurant. Most places provide a doggie bag to hold leftovers from a sit-down meal for which you have paid. The cost of a buffet, however, assumes the food will be eaten at the restaurant. If you are curious, ask the management what their policy is and what they do about those who don't follow it.

Dear Annie: We find it hard to drop off our kid at a friend's house for a party or a group school project. We would like to meet either of the parents inside the host's house. On one occasion, the father talked to me on his doorstep for 10 minutes and never once invited me inside to sit down and be comfortable until my child was ready to leave.

Is it normal or appropriate for parents to drop off their children at a stranger's place without even getting introduced? We have told our daughter that these people are rude, but she says it is absolutely fine. What is your take on this? — Frustrated With Drop-Offs

Dear Frustrated: This is a children's party, and the parents do not have to entertain each other. You should, of course, meet the other child's parents, introduce yourself and talk for a few minutes to get some idea of the people who are hosting your child. And although it would be gracious if they invited you inside to wait, they are not obligated to do so.

Dear Annie: I read the letter from "Getting Anxious," who said she suffers from hyperhidrosis. I, too, was embarrassed by excessive sweating. I hated shaking hands and wearing fitted shirts.

A number of years ago, I opted for the surgery. They do one side at a time because, yes, it is invasive. The recovery was hard and painful, but the end result was worth it. I had one side done, and that hand and armpit no longer sweat. I am now anxious to have the other side fixed. I would encourage her to do it. — Saved by Surgery

Dear Saved: The decision to have surgery is up to the individual since everyone handles it differently, but we appreciate your positive testimony.

Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. © Creators.com