DEAR MISS MANNERS: I went out with three friends for what was billed as a chance to enjoy oysters together. When we got to the restaurant, it turned out one of our party didn't like oysters and decide... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a single lady in my late 60s, but appear to be 20 to 25 years younger. I am in good health and enjoy youthful activities like badminton, Frisbee, swimming, canoeing and camping... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My brother passed away and I found out about it from a nephew (not my brother's son) who posted it on social media. I find it absolutely disrespectful that my sister-in-law would no... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: When I started dating my fiance four years ago, I became friends with the wife of one of his best friends. The relationship had been fine until a friends' weekend away.... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I've understood from reading your work that asking for to-go boxes at restaurants is apparently considered rude. Could you please explain why? I've heard this from other sources as ... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend has a dreadful habit of always mentioning, as an aside, how wealthy -- or strapped -- someone is when their name comes up in conversation. Some of these people I know, some... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I moved offices in a large organization, and now share an open area with five new colleagues. One of them had, in the past, purchased a coffee machine for general use in this area. ... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: We invited another couple to join us at a popular annual concert for which we had been given tickets. The invitation did not include dinner because of other commitments we had alrea... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My sister is a deeply unhappy person, always on the lookout for some reason to be offended. Everyone in the family has always tiptoed around her and tried to read her mind, lest we ... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I often do the evening kitchen clearing and dishwashing for our household, and I do a thorough job. While working at the sink, I often wish to spit into the drain, but hesitate, won... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: A few days ago, my mother-in-law informed me of the death of her husband's brother. I passed along the news to more distant relatives who needed to be informed.... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I run an online company and buy additional merchandise locally, one to three times a year. The money spent is at stores where there is an option to negotiate price.... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I always sent a Mother's Day card to my dear mother, who has since passed away. I also acknowledged any close motherly relatives.... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: As a gift for a friend whose birthday is coming up, I have offered a complimentary stay at a condo I own in a beautiful, remote area. I could also watch her child during the trip, a... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a voice-enabled speaker, and for the most part, it is a useful delight throughout the day. But I do have one gripe, to which I cannot find a resolution.... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Over the past several years, I've received graduation announcements from perhaps half a dozen high school seniors whose parents I know. I've sent them my congratulations as well as ... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am the youngest of three brothers. My oldest brother and I have never gotten along, and one of the many issues at the core of the disagreement was my coming out many years ago.... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I'm in a group of four close guy friends, one of whom lives out of town. We all have nice houses with guest rooms. Whenever we get a visit from the out-of-towner -- which usually co... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My dilemma stems from being new in a small office where tight bonds have already been formed, and new people are understandably on the fringe for a while. The problem relates to a s... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I understand and observe the rule that one should wait for everyone at the table to be served before one starts eating, unless the not-yet-served parties demur and urge others to ea... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a friend who continually brings a potted flower whenever she comes to visit. Although I very much welcome her visits, I have a difficult time caring for plants and I end up s... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife and I like to eat out a lot, but her table manners are bothersome to me, bordering on embarrassing. We are both educated, and she even attended a girls' school growing up. I... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband's sister has decided to throw their mother a semiformal dinner party to celebrate her major milestone birthday. The venue will be a trendy, sophisticated restaurant. The ... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: It is now possible to buy wearable recording technology, such as glasses with obvious, built-in video recorders. Some people, including this writer, consider such things to be intru... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Our elderly mother just passed away. My siblings and I live far from the town where we grew up, which my mother refused to leave. Between our frequent visits home, we had to rely on... more
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My son will be graduating high school and I'm thinking about how to celebrate. When his sister graduated years ago, we had a nice party at our home: Her friends, past teachers, chur... more