Oh, the pangs of trying to keep the Law exactly.
Unconverted friends (well, that's the first problem, isn't it) come over on the Sabbath. And the first thought is to dismiss them. But no one wants to do that. So, they do what every good COG person does - writes headquarters.
The first suggestion? Guide the conversation to be constructive - like talking about World News.
This had to have gone over well.
"Hi, Marcia! We'd just thought we'd drop over and see how your family is doing!"
"Oh, HI, Karen! We're doing great!"
"Good to hear! Hey, did you watch that episode of ______ Thursday night? What a hoot! When Billy Bob went...."
"Oh, Karen, yes, but let's talk about Beirut. Did you see what happened in Beirut? What an incursion!"
"...why would I want to talk about Beirut? Anyways, Billy Bob was SO funny! he..."
"Sixty five troops stepped over a mine and, oh yes, did you hear about the..."
I guess it'd be fun to see how that one went, wouldn't it?
"Hey, did you hear about that episode of _____ Thursday night? What a hoot! When Billy Bob went...."
"Oh yes, he did go to the bar, I remember. And in the scriptures, it talks about the appearance of evil. See, it's right here, look here...."
Yes, it's keeping the Sabbath that sets you apart from everybody else, they teach. So no one needs to know this - tell your guests only the minimum about it. Can't have everyone set apart - they won't understand it anyway. But do tell them it's just not the day to socialize.
"Hey did you hear about that episode of __________ Thutrsday night? What a hoot! When Billy Bob went..."
"Yeah, I heard about it, hey, this really isn't the day to socialize, I'm sorry, why not come back tomorrow..."
"We believe in the Sabbath, so yeah, I don't want to see you today."
This is my command, that you love one another, Jesus says.
Just not today.
(Letter Answering Department, 1961)