DEAR MISS MANNERS: I dislike being in posed photos, particularly now that everything ends up posted online. Friends won’t let me off the hook. “Oh, come on!” they repeat, every time I say “no thanks.”

Of course I participate during special occasions, such as family photos at my nephew’s wedding. But on casual occasions, how do I excuse myself from the frequent group shots?

GENTLE READER: Short of subtly making yourself invisible in the picture (turning your back, looking down, etc.), Miss Manners suggests physically excusing yourself just before they take the picture — leaving them to wonder if you are suddenly ill or just annoyed.

When you come back perfectly healthy and even-keeled, you may say, if they ask, “As I mentioned, I don’t like taking pictures. But I hope yours came out well.”

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.