DEAR MISS MANNERS: What’s the “right” time to throw away greeting cards? When friends or family send birthday or other greeting cards, I generally read them and then throw them away, to my husband’s c... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My friend and I have known each other for many years. This woman is always late, even though she has no children living at home and her husband is away frequently.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a high school student attending a boarding school. Every month, the school runs a bus from campus to a local shopping mall. It’s a fun way to spend time with friends, do some s... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Should I send thank-you notes to my pre-K religion class students for the Christmas gifts they gave me?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: There seems to be so much growing awareness about the legitimacy of mental health challenges these days. However, my community of friends has left me to spend the holidays alone, re... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: As a lawyer, due to the nature of my work and the nature of the law, I’m frequently in the position of having to give unwelcome news to clients. This often results in entirely unwar... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I moved 10 years ago to a beautiful part of the country. When driving or riding with others, I am frequently startled by incredible scenes -- a massive volcanic mountain that sudden... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife and I have a wide circle of friends and an active social life. The vast majority of our friends are very considerate guests and hosts.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I frequently dine out with a close friend. We are both well into adulthood, but she seems to have missed one element of dining etiquette: that one should cut and eat one piece of fo... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am not knowledgeable about watches. I found the watch I often wear by searching online for a self-winding watch and finding one that was in my budget and looked nice.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a cute storage rack in my guest bathroom that holds hand soap and a stack of paper towels. But more often than not, guests will use the bath towels hanging on the towel bar i... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We’re at a bit of a loss regarding beach house invitation etiquette. We purchased an eight-bedroom second home with the idea of hosting family, friends and acquaintances throughout ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How do I politely decline a close relative’s offer to bring an appetizer or side dish to our annual large family gathering? His bringing something requires me to take food out of my... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My fiance and I will be hosting two friends in our new home. We have one guest bedroom, and plan to set up the other person on an air mattress in our living room.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m at a loss. I work full-time in a home improvement business with my husband. We have been working together in this business for 25 years.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am in a pickle. Every year, my family hosts a formal, multiple-course Christmas dinner for our closest friends. We are limited to nine couples at the table.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am curious about your opinion when TV guests are told, “Thank you for being on the show,” and they reply, "Thank you." Why do so many guests skip the “You’re welcome” and go direc... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: For about a decade, my partner and I have made homemade packages of treats for about a dozen households at holiday time. These have varied slightly over the years, but usually inclu... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I contend that buying a round of drinks when out with friends is like giving a gift, in that one should do so without anticipation of the gesture being reciprocated. It is a way of ... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Our middle daughter has just sent out her wedding invitations. She is the first child of ours to get married, and she is planning (and paying for) a big wedding.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a colleague who consistently asks for what I consider large contributions to work gifts. I’ve explained to her that I’m not comfortable giving that kind of money. I want to s... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Over the years, I’ve maintained a special fondness for the act of writing and addressing Christmas cards to about 50 friends (old and new) and family members. I find taking a moment... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How should I respond when someone comments that I appear too stylish or well-dressed?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am the mother of a terrific 15-year-old girl. She's a joy to be around, has lovely friends, does fine in school, is both interesting and interested, etc.... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How can I politely stop someone from showing me endless photos on their cellphone?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I are in the process of adopting my sweet 2-year-old nephew. He has lived with us since he was 7 weeks old, due to my sister and brother-in-law's inability to care fo... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How does one politely, yet firmly, respond to people who insult one's profession?... more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a 54-year-old woman whose given name is Brett (a name typically given to boys). My mother loved the name after reading Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises," and decided, lon... more