DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am spending the holidays with my boyfriend's family for the first time. I asked my boyfriend what his family dinners are like, and he mentioned that after dinner the women clean a... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Every New Year's Eve, my family and I receive friends and acquaintances at a formal (dinner jacket) party.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My friends and I were talking about how to give a compliment. One said that you should say, "That shirt looks good on you," and one said that was wrong; the correct way is, "You loo... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I hope you will help me navigate a nasty family dispute. At family gatherings last summer, the hostess, my dear mother, relegated the party to the outside of the house, and decorate... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am going to my husband's first Christmas party with his company. I have been informed that one of his employees thinks of himself as the smartest person in the company and lets yo... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a graduate student working towards a Ph.D. in a scientific field. Graduate school is often very disheartening.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: On a crowded passenger ferry frequented by tourists, there was no room to sit on the benches, so I squeezed into a place at the rail. This afforded me a breeze, a nice view and some... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Many people refer to former senator Hillary Clinton by only her first name. As a woman and a believer in common courtesy, I find this to be incredibly disrespectful, especially when... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I dine out about once a week. He is fond of "people-watching" and likes to look at other diners while we are eating. I think, however, that he tends to stare at peopl... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Having finally become familiar with my mobile phone, I now find I conduct both personal and professional conversations by texting or instant messaging with some frequency. It's the ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Every year we receive a Christmas letter from a couple we see frequently and therefore we are up-to-date on what's going on in their family. Their annual letter seems to be nothing ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a step-niece who never writes thank-you notes. This is normally a mere annoyance because it makes it impossible for me to know for sure if a birthday card or gift arrived saf... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A mom takes lots of pictures of her daughters. The baby is almost 1 year old; the other is 5. She posts the photos on social media with captions such as "Baby versus girl." The baby... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS -- Thanksgiving Day, 15 for dinner. Everyone wants to bring something, so a "want list" is made and guests sign names to what they will bring.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am having a small private wedding. Would it be appropriate to send announcements to everyone else saying it is a private ceremony but let them know that we are registered?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My former in-laws refuse to call my daughter by the name she chooses -- her middle name, which is a family historical name on my mother's side. The family knows her preference, but ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am caught between two people in a question of holiday meal etiquette. When my mother, the host, asks my longtime boyfriend whether/how he'd like a certain food, and he responds th... more

MISS MANNERS: What is the best way to respond to a good friend/pal when they ask, "Did you think of me today?" A friend responded on Facebook to one of his friends, "No, I did not," and the individual... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My 15-year-old son is hearing-impaired and wears hearing aids, which are, by design, hard to see. He is very polite when he asks people to repeat themselves when he cannot hear them... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was just wondering why the blade of a knife faces in toward the plate and not out?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My email complaint: selective response rates!... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have been dating a wonderful man for 11 months now, and I will soon be going with him to his hometown to meet his family. One of the family members I will meet is his grandpa.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I'm a man in a great relationship with another man. We've been together seven years and moved in together six years ago. My family has come to love and accept my partner as part of ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it appropriate to call another woman's husband a pet name and leave voice mail messages that start off as "Hi, honey"?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IT IS APPROPRIATE TO THANK SOMEONE AFTER THEY HAVE ALLOWED YOU TO YELL AT THEM.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When I am drinking lemonade or iced tea in a restaurant, sometimes a small lemon seed gets sucked up through the straw into my mouth. I know that one properly removes unwanted items... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: After watching my son's high school musical, my partner and I chatted with various parents. While waiting for him, I unexpectedly saw my friend Jenny, whom I hadn't seen in a while.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What does etiquette say about performers demanding audience participation at rock, folk and children's performances? I understand that this would not happen at the symphony.... more