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Dinner Guest Stays On Phone All Evening

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I had a formal sit-down dinner for eight guests at my home. One guest was on her phone nearly the whole time -- texting and even watching live videos that her friends posted while others were trying to have a conversation.

She was away from the group, but the sounds were still audible. She arrived late and stayed by herself, ...Read more

Telemarketers Don't Really Care How You're Doing

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I receive a lot of unwanted telephone calls from telemarketers and real estate buyers who are seeking to buy my house. Many of these callers start out by asking for me by name and then inquiring how I am doing.

Every once in a while, one of these callers turns out to be a recruiter instead of a telemarketer, so I wish to ...Read more

Should I Attend A Ceremony That I Can't Fully Hear?

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have nine beautiful grandchildren, and beginning this year, I will attend high school graduations for the next several consecutive years. My issue is that I am so hard of hearing that I cannot understand the speakers at these ceremonies.

For me, it is as though the speeches are in a foreign language. I applaud when others ...Read more

No, Total Stranger, The Flowers Aren't For You

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: About once a month or so, when I attend a social function, I bring a gift or floral bouquet to the host. Often this involves carrying the gift or flowers on foot through a public area on the way to the gathering -- for example, along the sidewalk, if I park a block or two away from the host's home, or through the lobby of a ...Read more

What Could He Mean By 'don't Touch My Wife'?

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My best friend and I graduated from college together 50 years ago. We have fished together all these years and had many wonderful times.

I helped him apply for his first job as a teacher when he got out of the Navy (I knew the school superintendent). When he wanted to purchase some land on the water so he could sail, I helped...Read more

My Parents 'really Wanted' All Of Us, Actually

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am the third daughter in a family of seven children -- six daughters and one son, with my brother being the youngest. Anytime it is disclosed that my brother was the last child born, someone will say something along the lines of, "Wow, they must have really wanted that boy!"

I understand that people think they are just ...Read more

Good Ol' Boy Needs To Stop Calling Employees 'girls'

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a 50-year-old man who works in a field where the majority of staff are women. I am in management and find myself referring to staff as "girls" in conversations with peers and leadership above me.

I realize the term is not appropriate, and is in fact demeaning to the hardworking staff in our organization. Once I catch ...Read more

Time To Invite The Next Friend On Your List

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: If I invite someone to join me for an event via text or email, and they haven't responded, how long should I wait before inviting someone else? Sending a casual invite with a deadline doesn't seem very personable. If I move on to another person, should I let the first choice know? If so, how can I phrase it without sounding ...Read more

Cosmetics Compliments Not Meant To Insult

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have noticed a trend about how women compliment each other that I find really insulting.

I have had people say to me, "You're pretty" or "You have nice skin." I thank them and forget about it. However, a few times, I have had women say to me, "Your makeup is so pretty," or "Wow, you really know how to apply makeup well."

I...Read more

I Keep Stumbling Into Proposals!

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Twice, now, I have become an accidental intruder on a couple's proposal during my regular walking excursions (after work and on weekends).

The first occurred on the campus of the university where I am employed, near a pad-mounted transformer and busy roundabout. I was willing to chalk my unfortunate presence up to his poor ...Read more

Am I Expressing Empathy, Or Making It About Me?

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When friends or co-workers tell me about personal problems or physical issues they are experiencing, and I have had similar issues, I'm at a loss as to whether I should share my experience.

I have often been through the same thing they are describing, or I know someone who has, and I have relayed those experiences in the past...Read more

When You Don't Feel Like Playing The '29 Again?' Game

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I just turned 43. I've worked hard to achieve a level of success I'm comfortable with and have taken pretty good care of myself. In short, I am happy to be exactly where I am in life.

When my birthday rolled around, a number of people gave sly winks and said, "Oh, are you 21 now?" or "Turning 30?"

At first, I responded ...Read more

Injured Elbow Meets Meddling Stranger

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: While dining alone at a family-friendly restaurant a couple of days ago, I was resting my forearm on the table as I ate my salad. I grew up in a family where we were reminded to keep our elbows off the table, and I still follow that rule when with family or friends. But I'm not as conscious of the rule when eating alone.

...Read more

No Perfect Way To Share Laundry Facilities

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My apartment building shares a communal laundry and storage area with the building next to it. The laundry area has three washers and three dryers that you have to pay to use.

I've noticed that there are people who will use all three machines simultaneously. To me, this feels incredibly rude to the rest of the residents in ...Read more

'i'm Sorry' Doesn't Always Mean 'it's My Fault'

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Could you suggest alternative replies to "I'm sorry" when one hears bad or unsettling news from family or friends?

When one hears "I lost my job," "My husband has cancer" or other bad news, a common response is "I'm sorry" to show our empathy. Yet, "I'm sorry" is a sort of apology, accepting one's responsibility for an ...Read more

Elevator Etiquette: Just Don't Be In The Way

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I know this may sound like a silly question, but what exactly is the proper etiquette for getting on and off an elevator? Is there even a proper way?

It seems that when people wait right by the door, it makes for an awkward moment when the doors open. But I, too, am guilty of waiting right at the door.

GENTLE READER: Rather ...Read more

Just Ask If I Want To Meet Up -- Not 'you Busy?'

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a couple of friends who text me infrequently. Their texts are always things like, "You home?" "Whatcha doing?" "You busy?"

I never know how to respond. If I say "Yes, I'm home" or "I'm doing nothing," they then ask if I want to get together for a drink. Since they have already established that I am not busy, it seems ...Read more

Restaurant Redo Misses The Mark

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A restaurant outside of town, which was known for pizza and wine, has reworked their menu and changed it to pricey steaks and fine dining-type items. We went to try it out, and it was absolutely awful. Prices had shot up sky-high, though the interior remained unchanged from when it was a pizza place.

I would have been more ...Read more

How Dare My Friend Withhold Food I Didn't Ask For!

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I recently visited an elderly friend for the first time since the pandemic. Before my visit, she asked me what I would like to eat.

I didn't know how to answer that. Since I was going to go somewhere else after my visit, I told her not to worry about it; I would get something to eat later.

Just when I was about to leave her ...Read more

Cake-Serving Protocol

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was helping serve the cake at a birthday party. A few dozen guests were seated throughout the main part of the house, and we were bringing cake and ice cream to their seats. The host is a hospitable soul who would never take the first piece of cake while his guests were still waiting.

I think that two of his elderly ...Read more

 

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