At a bowling party for my 40th birthday, my dad brought his girlfriend. It didn’t take her long to try to take over the whole ...

Dad’s girlfriend showed up to the letter writer’s bowling birthday party and took over. Dear Miss Manners: For my 40th ...

But if they are talking pleasantries, you may smile or laugh or add something and see if it takes. There is a good chance ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: For my 40th birthday, my sister planned a bowling party. She is very organized, and pre-entered the names ...

No one knew what to say or how to stop her, since we don’t really even know her, and no one wanted her to be uncomfortable.

Do we have to invite them to join us at a restaurant at some point? If so, may we try to “dilute” them by inviting others?

DEAR MISS MANNERS: For my 40th birthday, my sister planned a bowling party. She is very organized, and pre-entered the names of all 12 guests into the lanes (two lanes, six people at each).

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was invited to a shower for a friend’s daughter’s wedding. It was called a “suitcase” shower, meaning ...

GENTLE READER: Your confidence that you are not required to reciprocate in your apartment, though technically correct, ...

GENTLE READER: Restaurants refuse to seat incomplete parties to maximize revenue, not manners. But as the practice is not ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife and I were meeting another couple at a restaurant for dinner, and we arrived 15 minutes before our ...

A recently moved to a new area with a large dog I adopted. Everybody I encounter seems frightened of her even though she’s ...