Many guests would think it rude if I excluded their spouses from the guest list. But I resent having to extend a party invitation to people I don’t know.

The per person cost for this party will be high, and if I invite all spouses, I could end up spending a lot of money on these ...

MISS MANNERS by Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin ...

I have an unusual, “made-up” first name. Nowadays it’s common ... but I’m in my 60s, so it wasn’t common growing up.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A few months ago, I met a man on a singles website and we began dating. Things seemed to be progressing nicely between us until he blurted out that he was married. Miss Manners: ...

I only correct the pronunciation if I expect to see that person again. This way, I’m not constantly feeling rude by correcting everyone.

I have an unusual, “made-up” first name. Nowadays it’s common for kids to have a uniquely spelled name, but I’m in my 60s, so it wasn’t common growing up. Miss Manners: My neighbor’s plus-ones are ...

I abhor this annual ritual. To me, the value in receiving gifts is the knowledge that the giver took the time and effort to ...

Miss Manners: Their gift to me was grabbed out of a casket Miss Manners: Why wouldn’t my neighbor just say something about the ivy? Miss Manners: Is it wrong to warn a foolish stranger about theft ...

GENTLE READER: There is no fighting with the internet. Miss Manners suggests you not even try. What you can do is stop talking while your cousin and his wife are click-clicking, telling them that you ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A few of my cousins have gotten married recently, and they requested that no children attend their ...