DEAR ANN: Recently, I was at a friend's barbecue party with my boyfriend, and people started talking politics and it got really heated between my BF and one other. I was uncomfortable and want to leave, but he said he had "freedom of speech" and would say what he wanted.

Was he rude? The hostess looked taken aback, and I felt embarrassed.

DEAR READER: Freedom of speech, in my view, simply means that one will not get arrested and thrown into prison for what one says. Shouting "fire" in a theater seems to be an exception, and writing libelous items can get one into civil court.

However, while one will not be thrown into prison, there can be logical consequences for what one says. If one becomes garrulous and argumentative at a town hall hearing or in court, where loud debate is permissible, such speech may be met with equal ferocity and deemed acceptable.

However, if heated, disagreeable arguing takes place at an occasion that is meant to be purely social and affects the tone of the party, one can well expect that the logical consequence may be that such outspoken and ill-mannered guests may not be invited back.

DEAR ANN: My friend is getting married and wants her younger sister to be a part of the wedding as a junior bridesmaid or junior bride. Does she need an escort, or can she walk back by herself? I have seen it done both ways and am just wondering which is more traditional.

DEAR READER: I see from your e-mail address that you write from Australia. I am not sure what you mean by a "junior bride." Sorry, I have never heard of such a thing – perhaps it is better known to those Down Under.

However, I have had many a junior bridesmaid in the weddings I have orchestrated. Usually, the junior bridesmaid is a young girl about age 8-14. In a traditional wedding, she walks down the aisle alone, as do all the other adult bridesmaids during the processional.

After the ceremony, for the recessional, she can be paired with a junior usher for the walk back up the aisle, or she can walk alone. Either way is fine.

DEAR ANN: In planning my honeymoon trousseau, a friend mentioned the fashion Rule of 15 to use as a guide. I did not want to admit that I have never heard of this. What is it?

DEAR READER: The fashion Rule of 15 is for those who wish to maintain a classic and understated look.

For each item, give one point. When one hits a total of 15 points, one is considered completely dressed!

Give one point for each visible garment, color, pattern, trim, button, ruffle, bow, jewelry, belt, scarf, pair of shoes, purse or briefcase, hat/headband, socks or hosiery other than skin-toned hose and eyeglasses.

It has been said by some that once one reaches the 15 points, one looks in the mirror and removes one accessory to sally forth with 14 points!

DEAR ANN: My mom and I are looking for bridesmaid gifts and are having a fun battle of wits as to how to pronounce the word "jewelry."

She says jool-ery and I say joo-well-ree. Who is right?

DEAR READER: According to my ears, you are.

DEAR ANN: As part of our wedding trip, we are going to London, and we plan to hit the famous Portobello Road Antique Markets. Is there any etiquette for haggling for bargains? I'd like to appear as proper and as knowledgeable as possible, especially in London!

DEAR READER: I have heard that a good and polite way to bargain is to ask, "Can you do any better on this price?" This allows the seller some room to reset the price if interested. (Saying, "Will you take $50 for this?" locks in at a number that can lead to dickering.) Using the aforementioned, "Can you do any better?" phrasing has sometimes led to the buyer getting a better price than he or she was hoping for!

DEAR ANN: I am having an "ouch moment." A friend's teen son is in a bit of trouble, and it was in the local paper. I shall be seeing her at a party soon. Because she is a friend, I want to offer her some comfort.

Shall I call her before the party? Or, should I wait till things calm down and see her at the party and then raise the subject and ask her how things are going and if there is anything I can do.

DEAR READER: Hmmm . . . that is a sticky wicket. Despite your good and kindly intentions, the problem belongs to her son and her. Thus, it is her issue to raise in conversation.

If she brings it up, then of course you may express sympathy and hope and offer assistance. If she does not raise the issue, it may well mean she is not up to discussing it. Thus, if she needs your input, it is up to her to call you, and you can keep mum until she does.

DEAR ANN: I am getting married and am looking at photographers. I am seeing a lot of people's wedding photos online and samples of the photographer's work on their Web sites. However, I do not want my wedding photos to appear on the Internet for the world to see. How can I prevent this and keep my privacy?

DEAR READER: Because the photographer usually has legal rights to whatever pictures he or she takes, the only way you can prevent photos from showing up online or in advertising is to ask the photographer to sign a document that you also have notarized. Make this part of your contract, stating that no pictures from your wedding are to be used anywhere online, on his or her Web site or in newspaper advertising.