ArcaMax

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Six of us were at dinner in a nice restaurant. At a nearby table for two sat a man and a woman, who appeared to be grownups, rather than teenagers in their first relationships.

During this couple's nice dinner out, their mutual attraction apparently got the better of them. The man had his hand COMPLETELY up the woman's skirt ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A neighbor of ours would repeatedly ask my wife and me to watch his house, feed his fish and water his plants (inside and outside) when he was away. And the requests keep getting bigger: collect his mail, watch out for a UPS package, water his tomatoes.

In the latest episode, he stated that he would give us the keys at 7:30 ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Help! The summer concert season will soon be here in full force, and many musical groups have outdoor performances planned. At many such events in the past, people seated near me have talked throughout the concert. Do they really think that I enjoy hearing them talk through the musical numbers?

Once, a group of six people ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My fiance and I were spending time with an old, close, female friend of his. He noticed she was cold and offered his jacket to her. She wore his jacket for the rest of the evening.

He's a kind, faithful man who always looks out for others, and I know his intentions were noble; he truly just wanted to help his friend when he ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am sufficiently old-school that I will sometimes answer a phone call from an unfamiliar number for which no caller ID is displayed, rather than letting it go to voicemail.

If I say hello, and the caller asks to speak to (name), is it rude of me to reply by asking, "Who is calling, please?" Also, does it matter whether the ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My mother-in-law recently returned from New Zealand bearing gifts for her children and their spouses. Each gift was very well-thought-out and personalized.

However, when she got to me, she claimed she'd forgotten my gift in her car and left the house for several minutes, presumably to retrieve it. When she returned, she ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: At a restaurant, is there a way to ask to be served by a waiter or waitress other than the one assigned to our table?

My wife and I have patronized a local establishment for several years, but have sometimes been served by a waitress who, on her best days, is unfriendly, indifferent, unwelcoming and forgetful about our orders...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When I am with someone in person, I think it is rude to answer the phone (the message being that the caller is more important than our conversation). A friend claims that she only intends to pick up and say she will call them back.

But sometimes there is an exchange, and I am sitting there waiting till she finishes. I always ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I hosted a small birthday party for my husband at a restaurant. Our guests were a couple and a single man. The couple asked if we wanted to order a number of small plates, meant for sharing. The rest of us preferred to order our own entrees.

The couple then proceeded to order quite a few of the small plates, asking us if we ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A teacher I have worked with for the last 13 years is retiring at the end of the school year. Teachers have been asked to submit a 4x6 card with a message to her for an album. She will most likely be having a retirement party as well.

She has treated me very meanly over the years. She is capable of being very nice one minute,...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Every morning, I pick up my son's neighborhood friend and drive them both to school on my way to work. My son's friend is an exemplary young man -- polite and respectful in all ways except one.

He eats his breakfast in my backseat each morning -- unfortunately, in a way that allows us to hear his chewing and smacking of lips,...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I heard this anecdote in college and a couple of times in the years since then: An applicant goes to a job interview. There is a piece of crumpled paper on the floor of the interviewer's office, not far from a trash can. This a test: Anyone who doesn't stop to pick up the trash and dispose of it will not be hired because they ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: During the weekends, my partner and I will be out in the yard, toiling away at various landscaping and home improvement projects, and sometimes our neighbors are out doing the same.

I have no issues with any of our neighbors, but here's where my partner and I disagree: He will go over to the fence and have a lengthy chat with...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: After two hours at a restaurant with a group of friends, everyone had eaten, the check had been settled, yet no one left. We stayed at the table for another 30 minutes, chatting away.

The restaurant was not busy and no one was waiting for a table. But I can't help but think that we lingered far too long.

Sure, a restaurant ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife and I are at the age where we are receiving invitations for our friends' children's weddings and graduation parties.

I am looking at a high school graduation party invitation that states: "Formal Sunset White Attire." We received wedding invitations that stated "Semi-Formal Cowboy Chic" and another requesting "all ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My daughter and I have a disagreement regarding graduation invitations. She has stated that sending an invitation means you are expecting a gift, so therefore it is acceptable not to send the invitation.

I believe it is an opportunity to celebrate a major milestone in the life of the graduate with family and friends. I do not...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have some friends who frequently announce to me how much money they are saving by shopping at discount stores, buying off-brand items and buying all of their clothing, including shoes, at secondhand and thrift stores.

I am not wealthy, but I am a professional who works hard. I do not shop at these stores because whenever I ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a person of a certain age. I enjoy the company of other people, but I move quite slowly. I gladly receive guests for afternoon tea, as my housekeeper is amenable to serving.

Occasionally I wish to entertain a small group at a fine restaurant for the evening. Since I am making the invitation, I require nothing from my ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Where should I park my shopping cart while browsing a grocery section and/or reading ingredient labels?

I park my cart in the middle of the aisle, thereby allowing other shoppers to view the same items. This also lets me step out of the way to allow passersby through. I feel that other shoppers feel hurried when I wait for ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We face an awkward situation with my mom. She is chronically unwise with her money, taking frequent international vacations that leave her without enough money for necessary items.

We are not willing to give her the monthly allowance she wants because it would be a hardship to us, and also because if she followed a budget, ...Read more