You're just sitting enjoying your guacamole, and someone asks, "What’s your body count?" or "How come you don’t have any kids yet?" Some people often seem to forget the basic rules of decency, or ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How does one politely, yet firmly, respond to people who insult one’s profession? I am a lawyer, and I say so when I’m asked what my profession is. Some people feel it is then their ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When receiving personal calls, I appreciate it when the caller begins, “Do you have a few moments?” or “Is this a good time to talk?” Among friends and relatives, we often text or ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a couple of friends who text me infrequently. Their texts are always things like, “You home?” “Whatcha doing?” “You busy?” I never know how to respond. If I say “Yes, I’m ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a family member with whom I have a challenging relationship. I go out of my way to be civil and polite, but also to keep my distance. (Avoiding her completely would mean ...

Let's be polite, party people! When contemplating whether to include someone in a gathering, social conventions encourage us to extend the invitation—even if we know the person can not attend.