DEAR MISS MANNERS: My brother and I celebrated the birthday of a close friend with several others. The dinner was at a local restaurant, beginning at 5 p.m. (stated time). We had difficulty finding parking and arrived fifteen minutes late, but not because we were careless of the time.

Our friends had a table just to the left of the front door. It was obvious that the remaining eight of them had arrived early, for there were empty glasses and picked-over appetizers. I don’t see how they could have ordered and finished drinks and appetizers within 15 minutes or so, unless they’d all gathered prior to the stated time.

No one had mentioned they were going to do this or reached out to find why we were late.

Last to arrive, we soon had our own cocktails. Still, it bothers me that the rest of

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