ArcaMax

DEAR MISS MANNERS: As part of my job as a news reporter, I spend a great deal of time on the telephone. The conversations I have require a lot of concentration. Often, I have been waiting all day to hear from someone and am up against a strict deadline when he or she finally calls. I must answer when the phone rings.

Many times, other members ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Due to a computer meltdown earlier this year, I had to rebuild my holiday greeting card address list. When I asked my mother-in-law to share her list from that side of the family, I was flummoxed to find that she addresses her cards as "Mr. and Mrs. Husband's Name" -- e.g., John and Jane Smith would be addressed as "Mr. and ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I had cancer last year and lost my hair. I'm fine now, but my hair is growing back super curly. Every day, people make comments about it: "Oh, your hair! It's so curly!"

It's a painful reminder when I'm trying to feel normal again. I've tried explaining that I'm upset about my looks and don't like to be reminded, but then ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My signature perfume is a well-known -- and expensive -- classic scent. For my last birthday I received not one, but two generous gifts of this perfume: one from a dear lifetime friend and another from a beloved cousin. Both live a long distance from me; we rarely meet face to face.

The problem is, both were knockoffs. I know...Read more