DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a family member who has done well for herself. She and her partner are in their early 50s and never had kids. They have a massive oceanfront home and travel extensively -- and she mentions it in every conversation.

No matter what the topic is, there’s usually a mention of the price of her home, car and other belongings (including whatever she’s wearing), the cost of their latest trip and their salaries. Even just a text wishing her a happy birthday is met with a photo of her oceanfront view and talk of how blessed she is to have such a wonderful home, partner and career.

Another family member, who is financially comfortable but not wealthy, has gently teased her about this bragging, and she just says she’s proud of all she’s achieved.

I’ve had some recent career and financial setbacks, and it’s to the point where I dread talking to her. Is there a polite way to get her to stop talking about how much money she has?

GENTLE READER: Memorize this phrase and repeat it after every brag: “How nice FOR you.” For some reason, Miss Manners finds the emphasis on “for” to be effective, along with the repetition.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A very long time ago, my husband and I were invited to dinner at a restaurant by a colleague of his. I had not met the colleague or his wife prior to the dinner.

The men promised they wouldn’t talk shop, but they did -- throughout the entire meal. There was no inclusion of us women. I tried to initiate a conversation with the wife, and she shut me down immediately with something along the lines of, "I’d rather listen to what the men are talking about."

Gobsmacked, I just shrank back in the seat and ate my dinner. As my husband and I were leaving, I told him what had happened and he (rightfully) said that we’d never do that again.

I should have gotten over this by now, but I fantasize about having left the table in some way. What should I have done? I didn’t want to be rude myself.

GENTLE READER: Are you talking about a very, VERY long time ago? Because Miss Manners remembers those days -- when wives, if invited at all, were treated as table decorations to be talked around.

But didn’t we have a successful rebellion against that?

Apparently not successful enough, if it is now a wife who treats her guest like that. She need only have said, apologetically, “Sorry, I’m listening to them.”

There is no need for you to fantasize about reacting effectively, and yet not rudely, because you already did: first by your silence, and then by your and your husband's resolving never to socialize with them again.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I had a quick cough, just a tickle. Do I have to apologize to the people around me? I didn’t do it intentionally. Same with a sneeze.

I could maybe give an “excuse me,” but I’ve heard people say, “Oh, I’m so sorry, I apologize!”

GENTLE READER: The preferred statement is now, "It’s not COVID."

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

DEAR MISS MANNERS: One of the highlights of our trip to Paris was an opera performance at the Palais Garnier. The opera, "Medee" by Cherubini, is in excess of four hours, with two brief intermissions.

We were seated in the two front seats of a box in the first loge with three pairs of seats behind us. Without an aisle, the box occupants must seat themselves in order from front to back to avoid climbing over one another. We needed to be seated first, and conversely, were the last to exit the box.

During the first intermission, we were not able to traverse the distance to the concessions in time to get any refreshments. At the second intermission, we rushed to purchase une gorgee de champagne et un petit sandwich just in time for the "return to your seats" bell to ring.

We hurried back to our seats, carrying our treats, only to find our box mates waiting for us to take our seats so they could do likewise. Our choices seemed to be: A. have everyone wait while we consumed our refreshments; B. with no waste receptacles in the vicinity, set our items down on the floor to resume our seats; or C. take the items in with us and finish them before the performance resumed.

With no ushers or signage available for guidance, we selected option C as the most sensible. This apparently was incorrect, as almost immediately, a young man from an adjoining box leaned over the railing to shout at us, “This is the opera! This is not done!”

What would Miss Manners suggest as the best course of action? Obviously, eating before the performance is an option, but dining quickly in a Paris restaurant is easier said than done.

GENTLE READER: The chief example of rudeness here is shouting admonishments at other opera patrons.

But although Miss Manners does not believe in starving for art, she agrees that an opera house is not a movie theater. Even though Handel himself played for parties, you would not want to be surrounded by an audience chomping away on popcorn.

However, she is not above smuggling provisions into opera houses. Even in Paris, it is possible to buy takeout food that may be consumed during intermission, as an alternative to the pricier fare.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it OK to comment on a co-worker’s new hairstyle or fashion choices? For context, I am a man and work mostly with women.

I would only ever share positive comments, such as, “I like your new hairstyle” or “I love that jacket.” I would never share a negative opinion, nor would I use my remarks as a way to show romantic interest in the other party.

GENTLE READER: Then don’t.

Perhaps there will be ladies who are charmed. And perhaps there will be ladies who feel that they are there to work, not to have their looks appraised, even favorably. Do they comment when you get a haircut?

Miss Manners suggests you use your charm to comment favorably when your colleagues do especially good work.

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

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I shared a cute photo of my daughter with several other mothers by creating a group text. It was a single picture of my daughter, not a mile-long text exchange.

One of the mothers texted me separately not to include her in a text chain with people she does not know, and then exited the group.

Is it bad text etiquette to do this in general?

GENTLE READER: Group texts without prior consent are a violation and they must be stopped. They are not only confusing, what with their rampant, nameless phone numbers, but can also easily be abused with product solicitations (Girl Scout cookies, anyone?) or other fundraising schemes.

That mother was wise to get out early.

You will rarely find Miss Manners touting the advantages of social media, but at least its participation is voluntary. Yours is a case when it would have been ideal. If you simply must share that cute picture of your daughter, do so there -- where friends, family and strangers alike can comment to their hearts’ desire. Without having to gain 372,486 new anonymous friends.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I like pretty clothes. I like cute shoes and accessories, and I think clothing should be flattering and attractive.

There are a few family members who only wear olive, mustard, khaki, black and other dull colors; clunky, unattractive shoes; and few accessories. I have never commented on their attire. Yet every time they see me, they have something to say.

When I attended a baby shower, I wore a dusty pink jacket with a black top, gray pants, pink shoes and a pale pink necklace.

I am out of responses for “Your shoes match your outfit!” (Aren’t they supposed to?) And my necklace was pink, too! Someone even asked my son if I really liked pink or if I was just trying to match the shower. He looked at her like he had no idea what she was talking about.

I feel like I have to defend my choices, but I really don’t know what to say to stop them from these comments. Another cousin will stare at me (and others as well) and then say, "You look tired. Do you feel all right?"

All of these personal comments are in poor taste, awkward and rude. Is there any response that will discourage them?

GENTLE READER: “Thank you.” This is regardless of whether or not the comments are complimentary. For the ones that are not, Miss Manners recommends you just stand there in your cute matching outfit, nodding and smiling as they dig themselves in deeper.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Can you please advise me on how to politely deal with heavy condensation dripping from water glasses, wine goblets, cocktail glasses, etc., at outdoor restaurants when coasters are not provided?

Does one hold one’s napkin under the goblet while sipping? Let it drip to the floor before drinking? Drip on your attire? Or (shudder) decant the julep into a portable container? Nothing seems correct.

GENTLE READER: Cloth napkins are non-negotiable. Paper will disintegrate.

If those are not provided, ask. Then Miss Manners suggests you hold it discreetly over the bottom of the glass or goblet stem so that the condensation falls on it -- and not on your clothing or shoes.

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