ArcaMax

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife's best friend from high school, "Nelly," has become a very successful businesswoman. Each year, she will invite us to the fall fundraiser for the local performing arts society, which raises funds for local theater groups. She will buy a table of eight for this event and invite us to join her.

The event has both silent...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a strong moral requirement not to lie, which has led me to reflect on the role of full truthfulness in good manners. I often observe people giving false reasons or intentionally omitting pertinent details to politely avoid something.

While I understand the intent is usually to spare someone's feelings or avoid ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have taken note of repeat inquiries about how to deal with not being invited to a wedding -- presumably, though not always in so many words, without being a jerk in return.

I would like to point out that weddings have gotten exceedingly expensive and that couples simply cannot afford to invite everyone to the reception. In ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I run a shop from my house. It's mostly online, but occasionally I have customers make an appointment to visit "in store." Many of them will just text "I'm here" from their parked cars and stay there, waiting for some kind of invitation by text.

I think this is stupid and rude. I am in my "shop," waiting for a knock at the ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I were hosting a casual dinner party in our home for two couples we like very much. One couple brought their two children, who get along well with my two children.

I planned to make a dish that is usually easy for me, but somehow, between helping the guests find things in the kitchen and helping the children ...Read more