DEAR MISS MANNERS: For a “scarf party” for someone who has breast cancer and is undergoing chemo, the invitation read as essentially a bridal or baby shower: Come and bring scarves, hats, frozen meals... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: In a family social media group, what is the proper response if two of your adult grandchildren call you by your first name, intentionally and without permission? It had been “Grandm... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am in charge of our duplicate bridge group: making annual schedules, scoring the score sheets, planning the annual luncheon, distributing prizes, etc. At the luncheon for the two ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: One thing I love about my husband is that he loves people. He and a few of the men at our church usually refer to their wives as “Mama” when talking about us: “Oh, Mama’s hungry; yo... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I love to dance, and take classes three times a week. We learn new dances and also repeat old ones. There is a woman in one class who just stands still and gets in the way when we m... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I guess I did a novel thing: I decided my friends on social media should be my actual friends.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband’s family was not trained in etiquette as mine was, which I can understand. However, to me, much of their behavior crosses the line as rude and inconsiderate.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I, like many others I know, wear a step tracker. This makes me quite prone to pacing whenever I must wait for something.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My faith is central to who I am and my life. Those who know me know this about me, as does my new neighbor, who is aware that I am careful about what I bring into my home.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife and I are often the recipients of complete verbal medical reports, sometimes from people we barely know.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I love to send out Christmas cards, greetings and an annual holiday letter to about 150 people. I do so at a great investment of time, finances and commitment, but I enjoy sending h... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: With the advent of current events being headlined via social media, what is the proper way to inform a participant that their information is false, including verification, without t... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband has a movement disorder and neurological condition that is only going to get much, much worse. It is clear from things he says (there are “filter” issues) and from his ba... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When my husband and I eat out, I’ve noticed that at many establishments, both casual and formal, a server greets us with “How are we this evening?” This question is later followed b... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When I run into someone I have not seen recently, we usually have a little chat that invariably ends with my saying “Nice to see you” and the person saying I should call him/her. Th... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We are sending out electronic invites to our office Christmas party and would like to express that the invitation is for employees only, not guests.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A work colleague has posed that we give an impromptu holiday gift to a cleaning staff member in our building. The “minimum donation” is far above what any of us at work feels comfor... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My fiance is about to buy my engagement ring. He knows I like jewelry, so he always gets me that as a gift.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My Uncle Horace owns a cabin that my father’s entire family has been using for years. I myself have been going since I was a baby. Anyone in the family is free to use it. We often h... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I seem to be at odds regarding the cookies our bank offers to patrons in the lobby.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When saying hello and goodbye to my friends, I often give them a quick hug. If my friend is with someone else that I do not know well, I would feel awkward giving that person a hug,... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: You have addressed the situation of invitations where money is solicited to pay for an event that people thought they were being invited to for free. I have the opposite problem.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I live in a southern, tropical state. Though it is delightful and calm for most of the year (hence the tourists in the winter), we have a “hurricane season” that lasts six months, d... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am estranged from my mother -- and as a result, my father, several siblings, aunt and grandfather. The reasons are not important. Suffice it to say that I believe the reasons are ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband is retiring after 40 years with the same company. The same month, he is turning 70 and we will be celebrating our 45th anniversary. We would like to host a party for frie... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I pick my friend up from work every night, which I normally do alone. My brother also works there, so normally they fight over who rides shotgun, which I let them figure out on thei... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Let’s say you say something critical or unkind in confidence about a third person, and the comment gets back to them. What do you say, or how do you apologize if both of you know yo... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is your opinion of the non-apologies frequently offered by prominent figures when they are caught having done something illegal or immoral? I mean such statements as, “I’m sorr... more