DEAR MISS MANNERS: Many months ago, I had a medical condition from which I am mostly recovered. It still manifests itself in mild but visible signs that do not bother me; I usually don’t even notice t... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I have lived in this neighborhood for over 30 years, and many of our neighbors have lived here for over 40 years. As you have surmised, we are all older than dirt.... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: In the first few moments after my arrival at a college reunion, an old acquaintance came up to me with great enthusiasm, seized my hand and gave it a bone-crunching squeeze. It was ... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Should I refrain from asking my sisters-in-law, none of whom I'm really close to, to not come to the hospital waiting room to wait with me while my husband, their brother, has a rel... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I work in a small department in a medium-sized hospital. My problem and that of the other workers in our department concerns a fellow employee whose table manners are deplorable, no... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: The situation I am trying to work through involves a business/personal relationship with a salesperson who apparently has some serious health issues. While I know the person and am ... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I know someone who is in the late stages of a terminal illness. This person received one of those colorful, lovely animated email greeting cards from a close family member. The e-ca... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Due to various health conditions, medications and surgeries, I have fought a lifelong battle with weight gain, especially in the abdominal area. A few days ago, I got onto the eleva... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My daughter, who is 6 1/2 years old and weighs about 45 pounds, is a beautiful little blonde with curly hair and blue eyes, and reminds me of an angel. But my mother-in-law, stepmot... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend sneezed in my direction at dinner, with my plate of food in the target zone. Although he apologized, I was horrified about eating the food, but also did not want to embarra... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I gave a dinner party where one person was a smoker while the remaining guests were not. The smoker excused himself to go outside to smoke during the meal.... more