My two daughters (ages 23 and 34) are beautiful and talented women. They work hard and usually make me proud -- except on their birthdays. For the past several years, on their respective birthdays, ...

I grew up believing that a standing ovation was an expression of appreciation for a truly extraordinary performance.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Over the years, I have noticed that at most live performances -- from professional concerts and operas to ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Over the years, I have noticed that at most live performances — from professional concerts and operas to dance recitals and school plays — the audience automatically gives a ...

As their parent, you have the obligation, in Miss Manners’ opinion, to tell them that you find this embarrassing. When they inevitably plead that “everyone does it,” you maintain that that argument ...

In today's Miss Manners column, advice columnist Judith Martin responds to whether a reader should give a standing ovation ...

In today's Miss Manners column, advice columnist Judith Martin gives a polite way to respond after a reader is asked about a ...

Our friends graciously offered us use of their rustic lakeside cabin, as they no longer can travel there themselves. We had a disappointing time and cut our stay short due to the terrible odor, ...

You were so kind to let us use the cabin. The area is beautiful and we were so happy to get away ...” Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to ...

We cut our stay short due to the terrible odor, primitive accommodations and insufficient space and privately vowed to never ...

My question is how to react when people do not respond to an invitation, nor to a gentle nudge and arrive anyway.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a single man who inherited, from my parents and grandparents, both a love of entertaining and also a great deal of the trappings needed — china, crystal, linen, silver — that ...