ArcaMax

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A family member has self-published a memoir of their life as an e-book. Although we are not close and live in different cities, we do enjoy chatting and catching up by phone from time to time.

I decided to purchase a copy, as I was curious about their perspective on various family events over the years, but found the book to ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am privileged to receive free air travel benefits from my husband's job as an airline pilot. My family flies on standby status, so we are usually among the last passengers to board the plane. Because of this, I am often separated from my 10-year-old. This is fine with us, as my son is an experienced traveler and is a quiet, ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a journalist. The other day, I noticed a typo in an online headline from another outlet, so I called around to see if I could notify them. I was unsuccessful.

Eventually, I posted on social media that they should fix it. I only meant for the post to be up an hour or so, but I got busy and forgot to take it down.

My ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My friend and I had tickets for a show, and we thought we had allowed enough time beforehand -- nearly two hours -- to eat dinner at one of the casual restaurants near the theater. However, although it was a weeknight, every eatery nearby was packed. We waited at one establishment for 20 minutes until there was a table ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a college student, and my roommate and I have majorly conflicting sleeping habits.

I have declared music as my major and have seven classes that I need to keep on top of, in addition to several rehearsals a week. My days begin at 9 a.m. and sometimes don't end until 9 p.m. I am up and about all day long, whether it is to...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We live in a 55+ community on a golf course. One woman, who is very heavy, always wears a knee-high or above-the-knee skirt when golfing. She is actually the only woman here who does.

When it comes time for her to pick up or put down her ball, all the men look away and the other women say nothing. It's hard to watch. I myself...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the proper greeting of a childless woman or man on Mother's Day or Father's Day?

GENTLE READER: "Hello."

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a woman member of a mostly male international wine society, and I enjoy tweaking the men's noses. I can't and won't deny it.

I'd very much like to buy some 18-button gloves, with the ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was at a friend's for dinner. There were seven of us all together, and the host and hostess are quite formal.

A little background to set the mood: We sat outside by the pool, and the table was set with starched linens, lovely china, crystal and sterling silver flatware, along with beautiful candles and fresh flowers. Each ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: While cleaning out my mom's attic after she passed, I found love letters from my old girlfriends from 50 years ago -- well before I married my wife of 40 years. I read the letters and then tossed them, as I really didn't want my wife or kids to see them.

I've had a great life, but have always held these women in my heart, as ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am 25 and am lucky to be studying overseas in France. It is a financial struggle, but worth the effort, I think.

I don't splurge on much of anything; I can't, really. But I do indulge my love of breakfast. I will go out in the morning and buy a single buttery croissant, a bit of jam, some rich cheese, a few pieces of fruit ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the proper etiquette regarding bedroom assignments for guests?

A friend of mine told me that it is good manners to offer the main suite to guests, especially married and/or elderly couples. I was never advised of such a rule when I was growing up, and I wonder if I have been impolite over the years.

My adult daughter...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: There are so many requests to give donations at the checkout line these days -- sometimes multiple times in a day! I do give to worthy causes, but I have been asked at every visit to a particular grocery store, where I shop almost daily, for a contribution.

It has started to trouble me that all of these funds -- collected at ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Do you have any advice on how to manage questions from audience members post-lecture?

The moderator makes it clear that due to time limitations, questions should be concise. Inevitably, one or more men (always men, to date) ramble on about tenuously related issues before the moderator interrupts them and asks for their ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: It's nearing that time again: time for the ridiculous show of kindergarten "graduations." I generally decline invitations to any such events, but this year I have a grandniece "graduating" who lives in the same town I do.

I feel I should attend and do my best to limit any eye-rolling. Is a gift required? What does one get a 6...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My 27-year-old granddaughter says most people her age have tattoos, and don't even cover them up at work.

Is this the new norm? I thought legitimate businesses made employees cover them up.

GENTLE READER: There are two things here that Miss Manners would like to avoid: finding out what you believe constitutes a "legitimate ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A 30-year friendship with my neighbor was threatened when he sent my wife an overt text message expressing his feelings for her. She was flabbergasted, and responded by simply stating, "I love my husband." He then texted back "I'm sorry."

Now a week has passed, and he has not apologized to either of us in person or provided ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: During a casual conversation with a co-worker in the break room, another colleague entered in a hurry. We often share friendly banter about a sports team, and a significant event had occurred with the team the night before.

Wanting to make a quick comment to the second co-worker, I excused myself from the first. However, what...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have been mortified, twice, by close friends while talking on the phone. They each told a story about another friend who repeatedly annoys them with a certain behavior. It was only later that I realized they were talking about me!

What does Miss Manners think of this way of criticizing a friend?

GENTLE READER: That your ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We have a relative whom we always invite when we host dinner parties, whether it's for a holiday or just for fun. She always replies that she'd be happy to attend.

My issue is that she doesn't eat our meals. She will place small amounts of food on her plate and maybe eat half of it. Her excuse is always that she's just not ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have been slowly slogging through grad school -- one course a semester -- and after four long years, I'm finally going to graduate.

I work in the industry I'm going to school for, and I'd like to invite some of my co-workers out to dinner to celebrate. While I'd love to foot the bill for everyone, I'm not financially able ...Read more