DEAR MISS MANNERS: In our neighborhood, my wife and I are one of a group of friends and couples who often get together for friendly gatherings and such. Many of us have kids of the same age, so it isn... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How do you respond when someone apologizes for a habitual offense?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My mother has a substance abuse disorder and a severe untreated mental illness. Several years ago, I cut ties with her due to the chaos and hurt she brought to my life. This was a p... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: In the days when human beings sorted the mail and students were taught to write in beautiful script, a hand-addressed envelope was correct.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Three years ago, I adopted a vegan lifestyle; my husband did not, but we've found a way to peacefully coexist. His family knows of the changes in my diet, yet they persist in sendin... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Some months ago, we invited my colleague X to our wedding. I have never been very close with X, but several others at my job are, so X got an invite. That was our first mistake.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I were housesitting for friends in a town that was a short drive from his sister, "Lacey," and brother-in-law, "Tuck." We invited them to come over for dinner one eve... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a manager at my office, and two of my employees are about to leave the company. One is doing so for circumstances involving family and location, but the other is leaving becaus... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A lady who was a chat-on-the-phone acquaintance during COVID takes up too much of our time, now that many restrictions have been lifted.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When I host a dinner party and a guest presents me with a bottle of wine upon arrival, am I to assume this is a gift for later, or an offering for the dinner that evening?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I went to a concert with two other couples. My husband is friends with both of the men, but I barely know one of the women, and don't know the other at all. I happen ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: After a spat with my wife, I brought home a bouquet of flowers as a peace offering. She thanked me and set them aside.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I always try to be respectful of clerks, waitstaff, checkout workers at stores, etc. I thank them and address them as "miss," "ma'am," "sir" or "young man." But I recently embarrass... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: As a single woman in my late 20s, I receive frequent unwanted "compliments" about my appearance from men, which make me uncomfortable. These men are either complete strangers or mer... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I need to find a way to convey to my clients that they need to stop calling me.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A few years ago, a prominent man in my industry was in town, and in a position to work with me. It would have been a career-making opportunity -- and, to be frank, he was influentia... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: For nearly 29 years, my wife and I have held a Christmas dinner party for the four men who were in our wedding party, along with their wives. It has become a tradition that we have ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I attended a birthday celebration for a 1-year-old at which the honoree was presented with a lovely cake, obviously special-ordered, on his tray. The parents gently guided his hands... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My daughter, age 28, lives in the same town as her father and me. She comes over for dinner every couple of weeks and usually asks to bring her boyfriend, Doug, age 29.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We were shopping at a local farmer's market and I had just placed my order at the butcher counter. My teen daughter was standing next to me and opted to move out of the area to make... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I both work, and we have school-aged children involved in various activities. There are times when we go several days seeing each other only in bits and pieces of tim... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am an attorney for whom writing was a well-honed craft for 30 years. I am now retired and enjoy commenting on stories in the newspapers.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have the opposite problem from most of your readers: Mine involves people who are too nice.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: After the easing of pandemic lockdowns, an old friend came over for dinner, just the two of us. It's been a long pandemic for all of us, but especially for her. She had to have all ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a widow who remarried a few years ago. My husband is a tall, handsome professional. My brother's wife, who is slightly younger than I, likes to get attention from any men aroun... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have gotten texts from people asking me to call them when I have the time. I know that these people genuinely think they are being helpful and do not want to bother me when I am b... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How does one properly express condolences when you are told that a distant family member, who abused you and whom you loathe, has died?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: After enjoying a Thanksgiving meal at a restaurant, I was shocked to be scolded by my elderly and generally very well-mannered mother about the way I interact with waiters and other... more