DEAR MISS MANNERS: For a variety of reasons that are too tedious to recount here, chiefly involving in-laws, we are estranged from our only child. We now have a 9-month-old grandchild whom we have yet... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am wondering if I committed a faux pas over breakfast while staying at my sister’s house. When my cousins and I gathered in the dining room, we were told of the various breakfast ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: On a small-boat river cruise my husband and I booked in Europe, the vast majority of our fellow travelers were enjoying the opportunity to explore the local cultures, foods and cust... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I hosted a dinner at my home for some close friends, and one texted the day before to let me know that she would not be able to attend; however, her husband would still be able to m... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When my daughter and son-in-law were on their way over for Christmas, they called to ask if I minded if they brought their roommate, who had no family and no other plans for the hol... more

GENTLE READERS: You give and collect “Likes” and comments on social media. You are not able to buy a tube of toothpaste without being asked, by the business selling it, to evaluate the experience. So ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am the parent of a vivacious, bright, delightful toddler. She just celebrated her second birthday at a small family get-together (five adults, including myself, as well as my daug... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My pregnant daughter and her husband live in my backyard, in a charming but tiny apartment they made out of my office and garage. My son-in-law’s parents recently visited from out o... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it disrespectful to bring an ex-girlfriend to see her ex-boyfriend, in front of the current girlfriend, while the ex-boyfriend is in his last days of life?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m not a firm believer in men holding doors open for women, as I’m perfectly capable of opening a door myself. I often open and hold doors for others because it seems the polite, n... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have always understood that it is not polite to place a handbag or clutch on the dinner table. I’ve been told to put it behind my back on the chair, or in my lap under the napkin.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m struggling with how to respond to my co-workers this holiday season when they complain about how busy they are. While I appreciate that some people really do get overwhelmed for... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband’s siblings agreed that my husband could have their father’s home -- since he is the one who stayed in town to take care of his elderly parents -- as long as they could st... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have noticed that after having a tweet go viral, many users leave their cash transaction app addresses below the tweet as a sort of virtual tip jar. I usually leave a tip if I fin... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I met with an old friend, a lady I had not seen for many years. I knew that her former spouse had dumped her for a younger woman a few years ago, after about 50 years of marriage.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Sometimes at work, colleagues will ask me to review an important document they have written. They are seeking my input on the content, not the grammar.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: The wife of my husband’s best friend turned on me when I became friends with her stepdaughter. We tried to include her in everything we did, only to be turned down. She now addresse... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A December tradition in my husband’s family was to make and consume oyster stew with canned, squiggly, yucky, nasty-tasting oysters. I thought we were past that, and I would not hav... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I share a name with a high-profile politician, and recently attended a cocktail party for my husband’s office. As I was being introduced to the wife of one of his colleagues, upon h... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband’s family lives on the east coast, and we live in the Midwest. I have spent the last few years working to overcome a phobia of flying, both to make it easier to see my in-... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When conversing with someone who is many time zones away, what is the proper greeting? For example, if it is my morning and their afternoon, should I say “good morning” or “good aft... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I went to a bar with my husband to enjoy a cocktail and play some billiards. When we started to play pool, a toddler came over to our table and began playing with the cues, balls, q... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Our cardiology group practice is planning a holiday party for our employees. The proposal is to have a DJ and dance floor. However, the employees’ spouses are not invited.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: This past Thanksgiving, at the home of the same close friends with whom I have spent the last several Thanksgivings, the host and I began a political discussion between dinner and d... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: After sending us a “save the date” notice for a fall wedding, our nephew called to say that he and his intended were overwhelmed by wedding plans, especially the family pressure to ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am an introvert. I do not enjoy large gatherings of people. Perhaps this is social anxiety, or perhaps I am simply plagued by misanthropy. Because of my preferences, I generally a... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I started attending a new church recently, and everything was wonderful. After a couple of visits, Pastor Kyle announced that the church was in dire need of volunteers to work the h... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have seven 6-foot-tall bookcases full of books, DVDs and CDs, with much spillover. Many of the items are rare, out of print and/or unique.... more