But if they are talking pleasantries, you may smile or laugh or add something and see if it takes. There is a good chance ...

At a bowling party for my 40th birthday, my dad brought his girlfriend. It didn’t take her long to try to take over the whole ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: For my 40th birthday, my sister planned a bowling party. She is very organized, and pre-entered the names ...

No one knew what to say or how to stop her, since we don’t really even know her, and no one wanted her to be uncomfortable.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: For my 40th birthday, my sister planned a bowling party. She is very organized, and pre-entered the names of all 12 guests into the lanes (two lanes, six people at each).

Do we have to invite them to join us at a restaurant at some point? If so, may we try to “dilute” them by inviting others?

The sign at the health clinic I visit regularly says tipping the valet is not required — so I don’t. But one day, the valet ...

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, [email protected]; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut ...

Now that we know the dog is going, we want to bow out of the engagement but would prefer to do it in the least hurtful way.

Cutting them up to remove the pits seems excessive, but just spitting out the pits into a napkin doesn’t seem proper, either.

By doing so, she is telling her friends how much they need to spend and depriving them of the fun of choosing a special gift ...

I have a number of friends I regularly meet for meals out, as well as for friends’ birthdays. We’ ve been friends for going on 40 years and first began socializing after college, when all of us were ...