Times News Network
DEAR MISS MANNERS: We have friends, a married couple, with whom we have vacationed on several occasions. We live in different states, so we don’t see them that often. This past Thanksgiving, we rented a house with them for a week. It was the week from hell. They fought constantly, trading insults; at one point, … Read More “They ruined their chance to vacation with us” »
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Our daughter proudly enlisted in the military three years ago, at age 19. She achieved her goal of joining an elite corps, and was so happy about it. We were (and are) proud of the composed, confident young woman she had become. About six months after her graduation, however, she suffered a … Read More “They keep asking for details of military discharge” »
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am irked at the use of the phrase “you’re fine.” It seems to be used in the context of reassuring me that I haven’t done anything wrong, but often in a situation in which they have. For example, if someone is blocking the aisle in the grocery, and I politely say, … Read More “What do they mean when they say I’m ‘fine’?” »
DEAR MISS MANNERS: A colleague and I started our job at the same time a few years ago. He has difficulty learning and understanding how to carry out his work. My other colleagues and I have constantly tried to teach him the same things over and over again, giving him notes and showing him how … Read More “I did not want him to lodge a complaint in my name” »
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My sister is a deeply unhappy person, always on the lookout for some reason to be offended. Everyone in the family has always tiptoed around her and tried to read her mind, lest we failed to fulfill her unspoken expectations. We all struggled to be absolutely perfect in order to keep the … Read More “After mom died, my sister made awful phone calls” »
DEAR MISS MANNERS: A few days ago, my mother-in-law informed me of the death of her husband’s brother. I passed along the news to more distant relatives who needed to be informed. A day later, however, my father-in-law told us that the brother in question was not actually dead. I updated the relatives, but I … Read More “He was not actually dead, which was awkward” »
DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend asked me to drive her across town to a medical appointment. I did not say no, but told her I really do not like to drive across town, especially through downtown. She got mad and said she would ask a neighbor. She has held a grudge for months now, and … Read More “I said I’d rather not drive her, and now she’s mad” »
DEAR MISS MANNERS: At work, a graphic design position opened up and I mentioned it to a young person I knew, suggesting that she apply. She was studying that field in her college courses, and the position would help start her career. She got the job. We became “work friends” and things went well. When … Read More “My work friend overstepped with this request” »
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband’s sister has decided to throw their mother a semiformal dinner party to celebrate her major milestone birthday. The venue will be a trendy, sophisticated restaurant. The hostess has reserved the restaurant’s private dining room for the party. A deposit has been placed and invitations have been sent out. Most of … Read More “Should I tell her this party is a mistake?” »
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Do you have any ideas on how to stop my husband from yelling and cussing? He’s a good person and does not cuss at me, but almost everything makes him mad. Except for me, he calls everyone names – even his mother – though never to their faces. He is always polite … Read More “He acts so polite, and then unloads his rage” »
