Ninety minutes to two hours, the expected time to linger at a cocktail party, is also reasonable for “just drinks.” In any ...

I hold formal dinner parties with limited place settings. But there are friends who never respond to my invitations and show up anyway. What’s the best way to accommodate them?

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How does one diplomatically, yet adamantly, state that guests should not bring a dish to supplement your holiday event? I’m frequently asked, “What can I bring?” I always reply, ...

Earlier this year, mealtime at my house was feeling out of control. My kids were talking with their mouths open and complaining about each others poor manners. We introduced new rules gradually to ...

Dear Miss Manners: You must be really happy that the Secretary of Transportation has told us poor wretches who fly economy to ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: At several gatherings with friends and family, the food is blessed by holding hands during a prayer — after I have already washed mine in preparation for eating. Miss Manners: I’m ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When my husband and I treat family to dinner, my husband insists on asking me how much we should tip. He doesn’t lower his voice when he asks, and then he argues about tipping the ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My home has an open floor plan with the kitchen, living room and dining area all combined. This leads to guests meandering through the kitchen area while we’re preparing food. No ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: For several years, it has been my pleasure to host three longtime friends — a married couple and her brother, a particular friend of mine — to a collective birthday dinner at our ...

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, gentlereader@missmanners.com; ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: At several gatherings with friends and family, the food is blessed by holding hands during a prayer — after I have already washed mine in preparation for eating. Miss Manners: I ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When my husband and I treat family to dinner, my husband insists on asking me how much we should tip. He doesn’t lower his voice when he asks, and then he argues about tipping the ...