No need to be rude to person asking for money

May 22, 2008

Recent columns

• Some customers want to be carded

  May 21, 2008

  Dear Miss Manners: I'm a cashier at a local grocery store. This is the first job I've ever had, and I enjoy it a lot. Occasionally, however, when customers have alcohol in their order and I don't ask to see their IDs, they will ask, in a very serious manner, why I didn't.

• Teacher needs history lesson

  May 15, 2008

  Dear Miss Manners: Our adopted son is in kindergarten, and at school there was a discussion about President Abraham Lincoln. The topic turned to slavery, and he was singled out for having "brown" skin (he's biracial) and for having relatives who were slaves, versus the relatives of the other students who were slave owners because their skin was white.

• Pass the butter—here are directions for eating popcorn

  May 14, 2008

• Neighbor isn't helping his candidates by sending rude e-mails

  May 8, 2008

  Dear Miss Manners: A neighbor and I do not share the same political beliefs. I try to be respectful of his political leanings. He, however, has been bombarding me with e-mails that include attachments that smear the candidates of my choice. Most are not backed by sound research, but he believes they are based on fact. The e-mails are accompanied by such statements as "Lord help us if this #&!*$% is elected president, lol!"

• In fit of gratitude she invited 3 people who may not get along

  May 7, 2008

• He doesn't get to decide nicknames for other people

  May 1, 2008

  Dear Miss Manners: I have a habit of shortening people's names down when I meet them. If I meet an Anthony, it's not long before I call him Tony. Christian to Chris, Thomas to Tom, et. al. I think you get the idea.

• Understanding the true meaning of gift-giving

  April 30, 2008

  Dear Miss Manners: I understand that a registry should only be taken as a suggestion and that anyone who chooses to give a gift is under no obligation to purchase from a set list. I often use registries when I am stuck for ideas or don't feel I have a good grasp on what the person or couple in question would like.

• Exit interview isn't time for whole truth

  April 24, 2008

• 2 'hosts' expect 'guests' to pay for meal

  April 23, 2008

• Nothing wrong with mother's escorting daughter down aisle

  April 17, 2008

• Samples not to be used as meals

  April 16, 2008

  Dear Miss Manners: I was wondering if you wouldn't mind reminding your readers that a sample is a sample — a small part of anything or one of a number.

• Walkathon season brings some questions

  April 10, 2008

  Dear Miss Manners: Now that it is spring, I am receiving the annual round of e-mails soliciting financial pledges for various walkathons, marathons and other sorts of -thons in support of illness-related charities. My friends do not have the illness they -thon for; usually it's a parent or sibling. I do not respond to these requests, if only because I have an expensive chronic illness of my own and extremely limited resources. I also have an ethical qualm about these charities. My illness has its own charity that sponsors a "thon" too; I am a member of that organization, but I have no idea how the thonning benefits people suffering from the illness.

• Baby shower invite throws man for a loop

  April 9, 2008

• Family, friends just jealous

  April 3, 2008

• Question about damp hair, soggy ears is all wet

  April 2, 2008

• It's OK to ask about swimsuits for the hot tub

  March 27, 2008

• He sees family's put-downs of ex as criticism of him

  March 26, 2008

  Dear Miss Manners: My wife and I have been divorced for 10 years. I have family members who seem to enjoy telling me how much they disliked her.

• Etiquette for cell phones, bathrooms

  March 13, 2008

  Dear Miss Manners: What is the proper etiquette when using a public restroom and another occupant is chatting on a cell phone? May I take care of the business I came into the restroom to complete? I may make noise, especially if it is after a lunch of lentil soup. If I am able to complete my business with relative quietness, may I flush? This procedure does make noise.

• The point of a greeting is to be pleasant

  March 12, 2008

  Dear Miss Manners: I've initiated a disagreement with my husband about a response to "How are you?" But since promising I'd prove myself correct, I've developed doubts.

• It's not rude to hang up coats and move purses

  March 6, 2008

  Dear Miss Manners: My mother taught me not to mess with a lady's purse, but when I go to socials, I often find all of the available seats occupied by purses and coats. The ladies are chatting in the kitchen, while the men are standing on sore knees in the living room.

• Let's make this crystal clear: Remove sticker

  February 28, 2008

  Dear Miss Manners: My fiance and I received a lovely crystal vase as an engagement gift. I began to remove the small sticker with the manufacturer's name and a statement about the lead content when my fiance chided me, insisting that one leaves such stickers on crystal, even on stemware, where the sticker would be more prominent.

• 'Party' is a business, not social, event

  February 27, 2008

  Dear Miss Manners: I hosted one of those home shopping parties for a group of friends, and needless to say, I had a very good turnout. However, one thing I noticed was that a close relative of mine didn't purchase anything.