DEAR MISS MANNERS: I work in health care and frequently call patients regarding their appointments. I use their first names if we are already acquainted, and Mr./Mrs. for people I am not familiar ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I let a young couple I know use my vacation house. I asked them to bring me the used sheets and towels after their stay, since the laundry facilities at the house are unreliable.

Miss Manners entirely agrees with you that an honest person does not bill for time that is not spent working. Nor does she ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Due to a pretty bad injury years ago, I now work a job that is 100% remote. This means many, many video meetings. Most meetings start with the “Hi, how are you?” or “Good ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My half-sister is 11 years older than me. As far as I can tell, she hasn’t worked in years. A couple of years ago, she mentioned that she “now has money,” and she seems to ...

Dear Miss Manners: I attended a live theater performance. Seated directly in front of me was a very tall woman whose hair was styled in an updo that added — seriously — five or six inches to ...

Dear Miss Manners: Due to a pretty bad injury years ago, I now work a job that is 100% remote. This means many, many video meetings. Most meetings start with the “Hi, how are you?” or “Good ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was given a very beautiful and expensive gift, but I have no use for it and it is not my style. I do, however, have a friend whom I know would love it because she has the same ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: About two years ago, I completely and successfully left all social media behind. I also limited my texting to essential information. It has been largely a wonderful change in my ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My best friend and I frequently get together for lunch at local restaurants. I am sometimes embarrassed by what my friend says to servers, and I don’t know how I can get her ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a new acquaintance with whom I share a couple of interests and group activities. She seems quite lonely. It’s clear she would like to be closer friends, and she reaches ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was asked to substitute at bridge for someone who said he was ill and could not play. But when I arrived at the game the next day, he was there: He had taken a place at the ...