DEAR MISS MANNERS: My boyfriend and I have been invited to one of his close childhood friend's New Year's Eve wedding. When he asked the bride what I should wear, her response was that the wedding was... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I rented a movie from a local video store while they were running a charitable promotion, which gave customers the option of adding a dollar to their purchase, which would be donate... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Every Christmas, my mother-in-law sends my husband and me a huge box in the mail. The gift box contains gifts of cookies and brownies that are home-baked, greasy, extremely sweet an... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: On the envelope of the Christmas card I sent to my cousin (whom I rarely see), I omitted "Dr." in front of his name. I instead addressed him as Mr.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the etiquette of giving or regifting a fruitcake for the holidays? Should I start a vicious cycle by giving someone a fruitcake? And should I get one, is it OK for me to reg... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: During the holidays, I usually receive numerous invitations to dinner from friends who know that I often elect not to travel to visit my family, all of whom live far away.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Like so many who work in retail, I have been spending lots of time helping people find Christmas presents. I love the challenge of finding the perfect gift, so I often enjoy my job.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Each holiday season, my husband and I and our two young children drive 300 miles to visit my parents and some of my husband's relatives who live in the same area, then we fly three ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have seen a number of weddings on television, and each time I am surprised to see the ceremony end in applause. For what? For whom? For the adorable couple, I assume, and yet I fe... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a 45-year-old mother of three, and about five years ago, I decided to start coloring my hair to cover up the gray. My color of choice is blonde.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Lately, many friends and family have told us they are having a baby, and my husband and I are quite pleased for them. However, my husband and I disagree as to the proper phrasing wh... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My apartment is part of a large complex in a busy metropolitan area. Signs posted near the exterior doors indicate that each person entering should use his or her own key to ensure ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Last night, a guest in our home told a racist joke. Not wanting to make him feel awkward, I laughed weakly, then felt awful the rest of the night, even though fortunately no targets... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: As a newly elected minor public official, I work from my kitchen table, and I have no office staff. I have been surprised at the number of invitations I now receive.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: At dinner with a friend, where the neighboring table was no more than a foot away, I mentioned that I had recently completed reading the final Harry Potter book. She asked me to tel... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Could you enlighten my husband and me on the correct way for him to help me into my coat? The nights are turning chilly now, reminding me that I will soon have to pull out my winter... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I recently went to a play with some other couples from our church. Afterwards, one couple invited everyone else over to their house for refreshments. We were served s... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My parents have generously offered to pay for our wedding. My mother also offered to take on the job of preparing invitations, about 200, for which I am very grateful. She selected ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When we have company, my husband and I have been confounded on several occasions by people who, upon seeing a computer in our study, say they need to "log on" to check their e-mail.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I love hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have hosted these holidays for all my siblings and their children every year since my mother got sick and was no longer able to host it ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: As a full-time graduate student, my schedule lends itself to more flexibility than those of my four roommates, who are all working professionals. Consequently, I have been asked to ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What's the proper response to a homeowner's admonition to "just ignore the mess" when entering her home? "OK!" seems insulting; "What mess?" is phony; and "Mine's a lot worse" is tr... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: To my chagrin, I learned that the erstwhile object of my affections has given me a lovely memento, also known as a social disease. Additional tests are pending to ensure that there ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: This evening I found myself waiting in line with two young men who proceeded loudly to proclaim at least five different countries they would like to bomb, and advocated reintroducin... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: While touring real estate open houses, a number of the dining rooms are set as if awaiting guests. Now I have a number of friends who have started this practice as decor.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Two of my colleagues have divorced their spouses and are now dating one another. While speculation has circulated about them dating for the past year or so, one divorce just became ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A while back, a creditor filed a lawsuit against me, and an officer of the court came by to serve me with the papers. I signed for the receipt, he gave me the subpoena and all the s... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When I eat steak, I like to cut my steak into smaller pieces. Then, after doing so, I stab the cut portion of steak with my knife and place it in my mouth. I was recently chastised ... more