DEAR MISS MANNERS: At a dinner party, my companion quietly excused herself after the meal to smoke a cigarette. She went outside, over our nonsmoking hostess’s protestations that inside was fine. As I ...

Dear Annie: I have a good friend “Amy,” who is a great lady. We’ve known each other for about 15 years, but we reconnected about two years ago and started attending events together, including dinners ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Carrie and Ashley are both good friends of ours. We enjoy their company and accept their social invitations when offered. A few years ago, they had a kerfuffle that put a strain on ...

What can I do for the lovely couple, with whom I have been friends for many, many years? I really want to give them something!!! GENTLE READER: Then give them something priceless: a letter of ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: 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. The way I’ve managed it is ...