DEAR MISS MANNERS: One of the worst technological "advances" has been the advent of text messaging. The expectation with this disease is that everyone is always poised to respond to any inane writing, and if they do not do so immediately, "something is wrong." People sit with their smartphones in the expectation that they will receive something and must respond.

There are very few situations that require instant responses, and most of those can be reconciled with a dialed call. The rest can be handled with an email -- or even a written letter (there's a concept!).

I am a dinosaur. I have a flip-phone that does not send texts (because I refuse to use that feature), but does receive alerts from our bank or police department. We have a landline with an answering machine attached, which does not accept texts.

We tell all our friends, family, neighbors and acquaintances that we do not text, and we do not answer the phone during meals. We do not consider this attitude rude, because we have set expectations. It's really a shame that "instant" communication has become an acceptable/required behavior because there is no real reason for it.

GENTLE READER: There is a phrase Miss Manners would like everyone to learn, in the hope that it would lessen the type of annoyance you express: "The best way to reach me is ..."

People who are welded to their phones may no longer use the telephone function. Many no longer use email. You won't use texting. And almost nobody except Miss Manners writes letters.

Is there any wonder that people seem to have problems communicating with one another? Although, considering the tone of current discourse, perhaps things would be worse if everyone could get through.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I often give rides to a friend (for medical care, etc.). She always rides in the front seat, as she gets motion sickness in the back, leaving me to ride in the back seat.

She monopolizes the conversation, talking endlessly about her personal life. My husband, who likes to drive, is somewhat hard of hearing (we are elderly) and cheerfully tunes her out most of the time.

I find myself bored and resentful of the time spent in the back seat alone. Any ideas about how to change either the situation or my reaction to it? We live in a rural area, so these rides generally are a couple of hours, round-trip.

GENTLE READER: Must you go on these trips?

Perhaps you are needed to share the driving or to help your friend at the destination. Then you may consider the back seat a separate social space, and read or play video games or otherwise amuse yourself while your husband is the oblivious recipient of that verbal barrage.

But if you needn't go, Miss Manners hopes you do not do so from a false sense of social obligation -- or, worse, the unpleasant idea that it would not be respectable for the two of them to make the trip alone. Your husband sounds very well protected.

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR MISS MANNERS: It seems these days that people interject their opinions or input when not asked.

For instance, at work the other day, I asked a co-worker for input on a situation that had occurred. Another co-worker heard this interaction and immediately interjected their opinion on how they would have handled it.

If I wanted this person's input, I would have asked. I have experienced people butting into my conversations many times. I usually stop talking until the interrupter has finished, ignoring them, then continue on.

How do I tactfully tell people who do this that they are being rude and intrusive, when I really want to scream at them for their unwanted intrusions?

GENTLE READER: When you are after serious advice, it is best to do so privately, not in an open setting, where others may presume that you are collecting opinions.

But yes, Miss Manners agrees that there are too many opinions floating around, unanchored to requests or actual knowledge.

The natural inclination to instruct everyone has been inflated by a constant call for feedback. You buy something and are asked to evaluate the experience. You read or watch the news and are asked to register how you feel about it. Your spam email keeps asking you to fill out surveys.

Small wonder that everyone is kept so busy dispensing opinions without enough time to slow down and study the matter being judged.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was married earlier this year. One week into the marriage, I discovered that my spouse had been having an affair in the months running up to the wedding.

I am now planning to divorce. Must I return the wedding gifts?

GENTLE READER: No, as you actually did get married, and that rule applies to broken engagements. Nevertheless, it would be gracious to offer to do so.

But Miss Manners definitely agrees about the necessity to return the bridegroom.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: One of my dearest friends has become enamored of her cellphone, especially as it allows her to post updates on her activities as they happen.

Imagine my surprise when she tweeted from the funeral of an elderly parishioner, complete with photos taken inside the church. She sent these tweets during the funeral, which required her to hold up the phone, snap a picture and then type into the phone.

I find this tasteless but don't know what to say, if anything.

GENTLE READER: You need to put into your will that your dearest friend should be barred from attending your funeral. And refrain from inviting her to your wedding or parties. Perhaps you could go for a walk together.

Miss Manners considers that you have received ample proof that your dearest friend is disrespectful to both the living and the dead.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it socially acceptable to wear white masks after Labor Day?

GENTLE READER: Tee-hee.

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I've been married nearly eight years to a man I dated for 11 years before we married. He's my best friend and I love him dearly, but we argue terribly all the time over small things relating to behavior, manners and protocols.

Specifically, my husband is in the process of trying to find another job, and he has asked me to help him by critiquing his resume. Whenever I tell him that the resume is too long or needs certain criteria, he gets defensive, angry and argumentative.

He carries grudges, and I'm no better, because I feel like I'm always correcting him (or needing to). It's not just about his resume. There are other things too, like cleaning our home and running my business.

He has good ideas that he shares with me, too. But many times, while his intent is good, his ideas are misguided. He's always suggesting things I can't use and becomes angry when I tell him I don't want his suggestions.

Based on the little I've mentioned here, can you please suggest ways I can communicate and be more diplomatic to my husband? I don't want his feelings to be hurt, but when he can't take criticism, or my rejection of his ideas, my own feelings are hurt.

This matter has gotten wildly out of hand over the past few years, with constant corrections of each other flying back and forth, and withdrawal of affection on both of our ends.

I'm to the point I don't want to be bothered with him at times, because I can't talk with him and just be a wife. Everything is taken so personally. We walk on eggshells and retreat from each other to keep from having to deal.

GENTLE READER: Ever heard of not mixing business with pleasure?

Other than the housecleaning -- and Miss Manners will get to that in a moment -- all of these arguments stem from advising each other on your outside work. So stop. Make a deal to stay out of those matters, since they seem only to lead to strife, hurt feelings and stalemates.

And when it comes to cleaning, divide up the chores by who hates each task least and/or is better at it -- as long as the discussion itself does not lead to further criticism and competition.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My mother has a dog with generous proportions. People -- usually well-meaning ones, such as dog groomers concerned about his long-term health -- often tell my mother that her dog is too fat.

It does not have the desired effect. They also try to pressure me to talk to her. How might my mother respond?

GENTLE READER: "Thank you for your concern," with a full stop afterwards, indicating that there will no further explanation.

This is an all-purpose response, Miss Manners finds. It will work for your mother -- and for you when asked to talk about it with your mother.

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)