Dear Amy: We have a circle of friends that we socialize with at one another’s homes. Sometimes the group can grow to 12 people.

We meet in the middle of the day for lunch, and at other times for a happy hour or dinner.

When we’re hosting, even though I’m an extrovert, after a few hours I am done and would like everyone to leave.

I don’t want to offend, and obviously people are having a good time if they want to linger, so how do I say, “OK, the lunch, dinner, etc., is over and it’s time to go home?”

– Tired

Dear Tired: My friend Hop shared his father’s signal for when an evening should end. The elder man would make eye contact with his wife and say, “Well, Shirley…”

“Well, Shirley” is now our universal prompt (from the host or the guest) that it is time to go.

You can address your guests with a version of “Well, Shirley,” by saying, “It has been so great to see everyone, but I need to wrap things up. Can I help you find your coats?”

You might add that you have a deadline tomorrow (or a conference call, choir practice, or that you’re simply worn out).

You can email Amy Dickinson at [email protected] or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068.