DEAR MISS MANNERS: For my 40th birthday, my sister planned a bowling party. She is very organized, and pre-entered the names of all 12 guests into the lanes (two lanes, six people at each).

My dad arrived late, while we were in the fourth frame, and unexpectedly brought his girlfriend, Tiffany. My mom, his ex-wife, had stepped away and it happened to be her turn when they arrived. Tiffany noticed she wasn’t on the board, and announced she was taking my mom’s turn. She made a big show of it.

At a bowling party for my 40th birthday, my dad brought his girlfriend. It didn’t take her long to try to take over the whole event to “show me how it’s done.”