DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the importance of thank-you notes?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I know that one is not supposed to point out lapses in polite behavior to others. But how can one hope to change questionable behavior in others without breaking this rule?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Am I the only one who is uncomfortable when the person on the other end of a telephone call does a loud Archie Bunker-type flush in the middle of the conversation? It makes me feel ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a singer and performer, young and female. Many times after a show, people -- especially men -- will come up and tell me how much they liked my performance. They also hint that ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a shared living room/dining space, and a separate breakfast table off my kitchen. However, my formal dining table is always set, but rarely used.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I'm a single mother of two wonderful daughters. As I go to school full time and work full time at a "just until I get through school" job, money is exceptionally tight.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was eating a meal in a local mom-and-pop restaurant when I noticed a man feeding a baby from a bottle. Also at the table were three older boys and a woman, who I took to be the ma... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I received an invitation to attend a Christmas party from an old college friend. He sent it via social media and I accepted via social media. Also attending the party will be a few ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is your stance on people who bring treats to work on their birthdays? Is it an attention-getting mechanism or a nice gesture?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was invited to a formal engagement party where the young man being honored is still legally married to his first wife. I am uncomfortable with this, but have been told I'm being s... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: 'Tis the season, and my boyfriend and I have just moved in together. I have three children and he has two, which he has 50 percent of the time. Their home is with their own mother.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a social media account I rarely use. Lately I have been told that I was invited via social media to graduation parties and an open house.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it proper to renew vows after one year?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I wish I had a round table!... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: It has become common to see adults at the dinner table holding their forks or spoons in their fists, much like a children who are just learning to feed themselves. Am I wrong to fin... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Our family is hosting Thanksgiving dinner for family friends. Every year when we meet for Thanksgiving, the mother of one of the families insists we take a walk before the dessert c... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We hosted my mother-in-law last year for Thanksgiving, and she indicated she wanted to come again this year. While I wasn't necessarily planning on inviting her, there is always eno... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it OK to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I are debating the use of a spoon during dinner (not for soup or dessert). We often have rice as a side dish, or mixed vegetables. He uses a spoon to eat it! Not to p... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: As Thanksgiving approaches, I am at a loss to respond to my stepson (married with three children), who views an invitation to dinner as an opening for negotiations.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a single father. My daughter is adopted, so I knew what I was getting into.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When an eyewitness is interviewed on television or radio news accounts, invariably the news anchor will finish the conversation with a "Thank you."... more

After 10 minutes of guessing among ambiguous voicemail menu choices, a caller is connected with someone who cannot solve his problem -- and who insists on putting him back into voicemail. Neither of t... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My dear friend of 40 years has a husband who is recently disabled and who now uses a handicapped parking placard that hangs from his rearview mirror.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How should we address President Bill Clinton if his wife wins the title of president? Some have suggested First Gentleman. Some have stated that he would still be known as president... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My sister helped me clean my house in preparation for getting ready to sell it. I gave her a check for $100, just a small way to show my appreciation. She certainly deserved five ti... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was out to lunch today with my girlfriend at a fairly nice place, when I happened to get sick at lunch and vomited, not in the restroom, but in the dining area. The wait staff was... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: There must be a new trend in save-the-date cards for upcoming weddings. In the past few months I have received three such requests, but on all three cards, the couples failed to inc... more