Archives

DEAR MISS MANNERS: You have endorsed discreetly regifting, donating or returning unwanted gifts. Amen to that. However, one of the examples you provided of an unwanted gift was a donation, “in the rec... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Thank you for being a thank-you card activist. I was not raised with this practice, and shamefully did not do a thorough job after my wedding, which is something I will always have ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How can I make people aware of the need for safety precautions? I see people on the street who are not social distancing and not wearing masks. I just want to yell at them that they... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Which one is proper: the single mom calling the kids on Christmas Day to wish them a merry Christmas, or the kids calling the mom?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Could you please say something about the rudeness of asking people how much money they make?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I have a 20-year disagreement on how to properly handle the situation when someone has food on their face.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have cancer. I live in a fairly small town with a fairly small hospital. There is only one oncology practice, with only one oncologist. The next town is not close.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My daughter is getting married soon. Due to COVID, the wedding has been scaled down from 75 people to 20, and from four bridesmaids to one maid of honor.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: During my morning video chats for work, my dad always wakes up late, makes lots of noise in the kitchen (where I work) and eats right in front of me.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: It seems that Cobb and chopped salads are now on menus everywhere, and are as beautiful to look at as they are delicious to eat. My dilemma is how to eat them.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: As my husband grows older, he is becoming increasingly feral with his eating habits.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My partner of many years and I broke up last year under what could euphemistically be called “difficult circumstances.” I was, as they used to say, the innocent party.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My mother-in-law made some horrible financial decisions. While we cannot fix her mistakes, we give her gifts at any and all occasions and holidays, in order to help her without trea... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am dating a very nice man I have known since high school. We have been officially dating for two years and the relationship is going very well.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am done with shopping for my older nieces and nephews for Christmas. They are all adults now, and have never made one effort to recognize any holidays for anyone except themselves... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I make regular donations to several charities, and receive regular solicitations from them in the mail, as well as from others that I have never heard of. I have decided to use my s... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My family is actively trying to be anti-racist and would like some help understanding microaggressions. Can you put this in simple terms that we can explain to our children? It’s al... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When, if ever, is it appropriate to use “reply all” in group emails? Only when asked to? I find it annoying when people reply to all.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I enjoy picking out “just the right gift” for various family members at Christmas. However, each year, several family members ask me what gift they should purchase for my children. ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When my friend’s computer was broken, she asked if she could come to my house to attend an online meeting that I, too, was attending. I said yes, and jokingly said that I believed t... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it right that my niece insists on “no masks” at her wedding? She even has a friend watching for masks as people enter the church!!!... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I underwent major surgery last year. I am recovering well, but it will, of course, take time to be up and moving normally. I live alone, having recently moved to the other side of t... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A business associate bought me an expensive watch to celebrate completing a deal. I wear it whenever I see him, and he never fails to compliment it. But it’s not really my taste, so... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was at a small, socially distanced church service at a church I don’t regularly go to, although I have been there a couple of times over the past year. A few people there may reco... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a lowly communications professional at a technology firm. When we have video calls with upper-level people, our wonderful leader spits tobacco juice into a clear plastic bottle... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I found out that when my mother-in-law asks for gifts, she asks for things that she would not buy for herself. This came up because she recently mentioned that she never orders from... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A dog chased my 6-year-old son in our new neighborhood, and when my husband went over to talk to the dog’s owner, we were assured it wouldn’t happen again. Then the dog chased my so... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Coming upon a stranger in the rain, I offered to share my large umbrella with her. She came underneath the umbrella and said, “I suppose that you say that to all pretty ladies.”... more