Apropos the allergies/intolerance/preferences debate of a while ago:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/health/research/12allergies.html?src=m...
When I have a guest over for a meal, I always try to ask them whether they have any dietary restrictions or preferences. Oftentimes, they say that they don't. When they do admit to a restriction, they usually apologize for being difficult.
