Dear Eric: My sister and brother-in-law live a couple of hours away. My wife and I get along with them though we are not ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I often hear someone say something along the lines of, “We politely ask that you refrain from ...” or “We ...

Miss Manners recommends saying, “I’m sorry to hear that. Thanks for letting me know” — and then tossing the conversation in ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My parents decided to throw us a housewarming party — the day after we moved our family of five into a new ...

Miss Manners says this to encourage you to pay greater attention to your parents’ plans in the future, in case you missed an earlier opportunity to squelch this one. By the time everyone had arrived, ...

It will make me think twice next time I try to be thoughtful. This friend certainly won’t see goodies from me again.

The guests were polite, but did not help us unpack, except for my brother, who helped me with my daughter’s bed.

Miss Manners says this to encourage you to pay greater attention to your parents’ plans in the future, in case you missed an earlier opportunity to squelch this one. By the time everyone had arrived, ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My parents decided to throw us a housewarming party — the day after we moved our family of five into a new ...

GENTLE READER: The correct form is, “We respectfully ask (or decline),” which Miss Manners would normally agree is silly, ...

Dear Miss Manners: My parents decided to throw us a housewarming party — the day after we moved our family of five into a new ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a gentleman who strives to live a mannerly life. In that regard, when riding public transportation, I ...