Miss Manners^®

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am part of a group of six college friends from 50 years ago. We stay in touch by texting often, and getting together in person every few years. We are spread out geographically, b... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have been taking time off work to help care for my father, who has incurable cancer. To clients I don’t know well, I’ve said, “I’ll be out of town to help my dad, who is sick.”... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Would you consider it rude to bring an additional dish to a dinner, even if it wasn’t requested?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What exactly are the rules for saving seats at an informal event where seats are not assigned?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My company has a return to office four days a week mandate this year. While it’s nice to have the in-person camaraderie, co-workers who are conspicuously ill are coming in and sprea... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m no more a fan of call waiting than Miss Manners is, but I do want to defend its limited utility. I was co-owner and manager of a small business for several years, and I frequent... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am curious what the etiquette is at a gathering when music is playing in a friend’s home on the voice-controlled device.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I work as an usher at a popular field house that hosts a large number of sporting and entertainment events (concerts, comedy shows, etc.). One of the rules is that we are not allowe... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: From the files of “good manners run amok,” is it ever impolite to be friendly?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband got a new job, and as a way to get to know his new co-workers, we decided to host a holiday party at our house. We invited the people he works closest with, his immediate... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it acceptable to place a small evening clutch on the table while dining out?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: There are many examples of technology and bad behavior merging, and I ask for your opinion regarding one that bothers me: people locking their vehicles by pressing the key fob twice... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My teenage son had begun seeing a new neurologist, who is highly recommended and seems to be very skilled. We have had two appointments with this doctor, and both times, he used at ... more