ArcaMax

DEAR MISS MANNERS: As we are in an election year, help me figure out what to say when a friend asks for your political endorsement, but you think she would be terrible in that elected position. I love this friend dearly, but she absolutely does not have the temperament for the job.

GENTLE READER: Maybe, for the sake of the friendship, do not ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it rude to host an outdoor event at our home and limit the indoor access to restroom use only?

My husband is one of seven siblings, who are all married with multiple children; some of those children are grown and married with children, as well. Needless to say, our combined immediate family is very large. We come from ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We lost power from a hurricane for 10 days. We were lucky we suffered no major damage to our home or our property.

However, once gasoline became available, some neighbors began running generators 24 hours a day. It was so noisy that we had to close our windows to sleep, which became the worst part of the hurricane experience....Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I attended a bridal shower for my friend's future daughter-in-law. Little did I know that I was going to be raked over the coals by my daughter and her friends for wearing a casual white dress.

My daughter called me selfish, and her friends stated that if it was their shower, they would purposefully spill red wine on my dress...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: After several miscarriages, a friend is finally pregnant via IVF. While the couple is thrilled, they often find themselves in the presence of others who are having trouble conceiving or who have given up.

Since they had their share of trouble, they certainly understand, but it's as if their mere presence is now resented. At a...Read more