Handle ex’s gal with grace
Dear Miss Manners: I am at a loss as to how to handle my ex-husband’s girlfriend. She and my husband were together many times before the end of our marriage, and I see her as a home wrecker in the least and unprintable names at the worst. (Updated: 10/04/09 7:13 AM )
Miss Manners: Wedding boycott has a bad ring
Dear Miss Manners: My younger brother (45 years old) is getting married for the third time. After his first divorce was final, he married a woman he had known for less than three months. (Updated: 10/01/09 8:32 AM )
Responding to pitiful comments
Dear Miss Manners: I have recently become disabled due to MS. Depending on the day, I use a cane, crutches or a wheelchair. (Updated: 09/29/09 6:54 AM )
Get to know new mother
Dear Miss Manners: Our son has just learned that he is the father of a 4-month-old child. Mother and father are not together. (Updated: 09/27/09 6:33 AM )
House sitters battle fleas
Dear Miss Manners: My boyfriend and I have been house-and dog-sitting for our friends. They were kind enough to leave us money for food and to offer the contents of their pantry. (Updated: 09/24/09 7:37 AM )
Miss Manners: Confused over shaking hands
Dear Miss Manners: When I was a young boy, my father stressed upon me that gentlemen shake hands—always— with the right hand—much like soldiers always salute with the right hand. (Updated: 09/22/09 8:10 AM )
Finding the proper address
Dear Miss Manners: How do you address mail to a same-sex married couple? I believe I should use the same formality that I do when addressing mail to an opposite sex couple, but I am not sure. (Updated: 09/20/09 6:50 AM )
Miss Manners: Wedding invite wasn’t one after all
Dear Miss Manners: After attending the first of many weddings we were invited to, we have been made aware of a new trend. Or, maybe it is an old trend that we were just unaware of. (Updated: 09/17/09 7:57 AM )
Miss Manners: Don’t announce bathroom breaks
Dear Miss Manners: My girlfriend and I live 1,000 miles apart and have been friends for 37 years. When the two of us are on the phone, is it OK to say I am going to the restroom and then proceed to go to the restroom? Again, Miss Manners, please take into consideration the longevity and closeness of the relationship. (Updated: 09/15/09 7:43 AM )
Cat is lousy housemate
Dear Miss Manners: When I met my lovely wife over six years ago, she had an extremely ill-tempered cat. (It bit me on our first date.)My wife had recently adopted the cat from a shelter just as it was about to be put to sleep, and she was very protective of it. (Updated: 09/13/09 7:11 AM )
Divorce complicates family history
Dear Miss Manners: I have been with my husband for eight years, and we are going to be grandparents this month by his son and girlfriend. Due to divorce, this child is going to be blessed with more than the usual sets of grandparents. (Updated: 09/10/09 7:02 AM )
Miss Manners: Mute the unwanted reactions to pregnancy
Dear Miss Manners: I am 15 and have recently learned of my pregnancy. Is it proper for me to tell my relatives (such as aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) this news, even if I am planning to put my future child up for adoption? If so, what is the protocol for breaking this news? (Updated: 09/08/09 7:56 AM )
Confused by charity gifts
Dear Miss Manners: The invitations for the wedding of a pair of friends included a list of local charities to which invitees could send contributions. I don’t recall the exact wording, but they were clear that such contributions are mere suggestions, a productive way to redirect any blender-buying compulsions. (Updated: 09/06/09 7:14 AM )
My house is not your house
Dear Miss Manners: Several years ago, I was fortunate to be able to purchase a vacation home on the beach. I enjoy inviting my friends to visit. (Updated: 09/03/09 6:38 AM )
Miss Manners: Table setting isn’t the ‘Match Game’
Dear Miss Manners: We have two small sets of silver, one containing about six place settings, and the other four. Since we are young and do not have complete sets of all the nice things, we do not host formal meals. (Updated: 09/01/09 7:47 AM )
