DEAR MISS MANNERS: Fifteen minutes after arriving at an informal family get-together at someone’s home, a relative took a phone call. She stepped out of the room where everyone was gathered and could be heard down the hall talking for the next 45 minutes.

This kind of thing seems to happen rather often. Am I alone in viewing it as inconsiderate? Do the circumstances — family gathering, informal, children/grandchildren calling — make it acceptable?

GENTLE READER: A short phone call from family at informal family gatherings is, Miss Manners supposes, acceptable. As long as it starts with, “Hi honey, I’m at Aunt Claudia’s house. Is it urgent? Otherwise, I’ll call you back” and (barring an emergency) ends quickly.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.