The setting: Ladies gathered for coffee and chatting... three guests and the hostess. In the living room are a curved sofa that 'can' sit three, and three individual club chairs, one of which is the hostess'.

I was last to arrive, and the three chairs were occupied. The sofa had a throw with three large pillows fronting it on one side, another pillow in the middle, and another two pillows at the other end. This left maybe 3" of exposed cushion in any position. I was then handed a cup of coffee with absolutely no place on the cluttered and crowded coffee table to set it, and no side table.

With my not-at-all large fanny perched on the very edge of the sofa, I balanced the coffee cup and saucer for several minutes. Then the hostess invited us to the table for a dessert... whew!

My question: What are people thinking when they do this to guests? This is far from the first time I have seen the same thing. Chairs and sofas overrun with pillows, and hosts inviting people to sit. Does one ask the host to remove them? Do you move them to the floor yourself? Do you smile and ask just where you should sit?

Please share your experiences...