DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was escorting a lady friend along a sidewalk not long ago, and as we were chatting, I chanced to look down and saw that a dog had left his "calling card" on the sidewalk.... more

If you are looking for a small, manageable New Year's resolution that doesn't interfere with dinner, Miss Manners may be able to help. Thanks to her Gentle Readers, she is unnecessarily well acquainte... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: In the workplace, I find myself feeling increasingly disconnected from fellow workers who seem to operate under the precise opposite of my beliefs on proper business behavior.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I happen to be very good at remembering names and faces of people to whom I have been introduced before. I have noticed, however, that this is not a universal trait.... more

A horrid burst of euphoria often follows an outburst of rudeness. The offender does his offensive little number and then compounds it by declaring, "I feel better now."... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Would Miss Manners care to advise one on how to deal with relatives who persist in sending a video camera around on Christmas Eve and having each family tell about their year?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I need help before my husband and his father stop speaking entirely! My father-in-law has recently become a stickler for thank-you notes. He and his wife live in another state and m... more

Now is the season to think of those more fortunate than ourselves.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: An uncomfortable situation arose prior to my sister-in-law's marriage a few months ago. To be polite as I can, her mother, my mother-in law, is an extremely pushy, insensitive woman... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband of 14 years and I, with our young children, participate in many social activities, and worship services, regularly throughout the year.... more

When the handkerchief went out of general use after centuries of faithful service, nobody even waved goodbye.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My mother told us kids (40 years ago) a saying to remind us to dip our soupspoon away from us when scooping up the soup: "Like a little ship at sea, dip your spoon away from me."... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am always polite when co-workers with whom I am not friends say "What are you doing for the weekend (holiday, Christmas, Easter, etc.)?" Sometimes I say, "Nothing special" or "I h... more

"You're not paying attention to me!"... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Each year I have a holiday cocktail party for friends and neighbors. I spend a large amount of time planning, shopping and cooking for this event and I thoroughly enjoy the whole pr... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have faithfully sent birthday and Christmas greetings, sometimes with a gift, to my nephew his whole life. He usually sends a note of thanks.... more

If the holiday gerunds -- decorating, cooking, shopping, stuffing -- seem daunting, it is probably because you have neglected to do the first one, and have skipped to doing the last.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Does Miss Manners consider the "upgrading" of a gift to be a faux pas? Here's the scenario:... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I found out two years ago that I am infertile. Since then, I have undergone several extremely painful diagnostic tests, as well as two very expensive and unsuccessful... more

A cry of freedom went up when dress codes were abolished. Comfort! Creativity!... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife and I received the following invitation:... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My sister's invitation for the big family Thanksgiving included my partner, whom she has met and welcomed into her home before without incident or condition. My relationship has not... more

For a moment there, Miss Manners thought she saw a chance to give the custom of tipping some serious analysis. Maybe a 15 to 18 percent chance. Who, besides tax-dodgers and bill-dodgers, wouldn't like... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: On Halloween night, I heard what I thought was a large group arriving at my door. They seemed to take quite a while to organize themselves before ringing the bell.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A few years ago, I decided to change my life by joining a gym, and since then, I have become progressively more interested in health and fitness. I've also lost about 10 pounds and ... more

"No, dear, it was a Tuesday, not a Sunday. I remember that, because there was snow predicted, and I left work early. And it wasn't just three men we saw; there was a woman there, too.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My sister-in-law volunteered to host the family Thanksgiving dinner last year. In prior years, when hosted by me, my sister or my mother, the host would provide the meal and accept ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I frequent a local pub, usually twice a week, and on occasion I have either been sent a drink or asked if one could be purchased for me (usually by a member of the opposite sex).... more