Miss Manners: Putting up with ugly presents to preserve a friendship

In today's Miss Manners column, advice columnist Judith Martin responds to handling unwanted gifts from a needy friend.

Miss Manners: Wedding gift snub causes a domino effect that lasts for years

There's a whole lot of who got what for whom, and who makes more money, etc., in this letter. Miss Manners sets it straight.

Miss Manners: We spend thousands on this millionaire couple’s wedding. They didn’t return the favor

We were very generous when this millionaire couple got married. But when it was their turn to return the favor, they gave ...
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Miss Manners: We don’t want to hurt our friend’s feelings, but she gives terrible gifts

She is a sweet lady, but needy. So, when she visits, we take down art we enjoy and put up the cat-in-the-bathtub picture.

Miss Manners: The bride and groom are worth millions, but you wouldn’t know it

The niece/bride is an attorney, her husband is a social media influencer, and they are worth millions. They live in a million-dollar home. Fast-forward to our son’s wedding in 2024. It was in a town ...

Dear Miss Manners: The perils of keeping score of gifts

Dear Miss Manners: We have a close friend who gives gifts we are not wild about, but display anyway. If she does not see her ...

Miss Manners: How do I respond to people who ask about my weight-loss methods?

Miss Manners suggests you continue to acknowledge what they believe to be a compliment and stop answering when they get intrusive (or even before). Eventually the novelty of you looking fit will wear ...

Miss Manners: Is my male friend using me to attract the eyes of other women when we go out together?

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am female, and I have a male friend who likes to flirt with other women when we go out for dinner or ...

Miss Manners: He uses me to flirt with other women

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am female, and I have a male friend who likes to flirt with other women when we go out for dinner or other occasions. Seeing as we’re just friends, I don’t think I have any ...

Dear Miss Manners: I never agreed to be my friend’s wingman

Dear Miss Manners: I am female, and I have a male friend who likes to flirt with other women when we go out for dinner or ...

Miss Manners: My holiday plans aren’t exactly merry

DEAR MISS MANNERS: An acquaintance from church asked if I had any holiday plans. I mentioned that I was spending a couple of days visiting my father between Christmas and New Year’s. “Oh, that sounds ...

Miss Manners: Guests’ exhaustive lists of dietary preferences take all the fun out of dinner parties

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I used to love hosting dinner parties, bringing friends together for good food and lively conversation. But the fun has gone out of it because just about everyone tells me about ...