Dad’s girlfriend showed up to the letter writer’s bowling birthday party and took over. Dear Miss Manners: For my 40th ...

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).

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A pair of neighbors hosted my wife and me for an impromptu dinner, to which we contributed a nice salad.

GENTLE READER: Your confidence that you are not required to reciprocate in your apartment, though technically correct, ...

Dear Miss Manners: My husband and I, along with a friend, pre-purchased hard-to-get opera tickets. We’ve looked forward to attending for many months. However, we just learned that our companion ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a good friend who is the polar opposite of me on politics, religion and almost every other subject. We are cognizant of these differences, and refrain from debate or ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Because of a chronic illness, I have to go to a clinic in an urban setting three to four times per week.

My instinct is to return the item in a little bag with a note saying it isn’t mine. But somehow that feels rude, presumptuous ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I love to throw dinner parties, but often our guests stay late into the evening. My husband ...

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 ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: 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 ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it considered necessary to write notes of sympathy about a death on cards specially designed for the purpose? I have given up on finding cards that are acceptable and instead ...