At a bowling party for my 40th birthday, my dad brought his girlfriend. It didn’t take her long to try to take over the whole ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: For my 40th birthday, my sister planned a bowling party. She is very organized, and pre-entered the names ...

But if they are talking pleasantries, you may smile or laugh or add something and see if it takes. There is a good chance ...

Dad’s girlfriend showed up to the letter writer’s bowling birthday party and took over. Dear Miss Manners: For my 40th ...

No one knew what to say or how to stop her, since we don’t really even know her, and no one wanted her to be uncomfortable.

Do we have to invite them to join us at a restaurant at some point? If so, may we try to “dilute” them by inviting others?

Dear Miss Manners: A pair of neighbors hosted my wife and me for an impromptu dinner, to which we contributed a nice salad.

The sign at the health clinic I visit regularly says tipping the valet is not required — so I don’t. But one day, the valet ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I, along with a friend, purchased hard-to-get opera tickets. We’ve looked forward to ...

Some medical facilities ban tipping because they pay parking attendants a living wage, and do not want patients with medical ...

However, we just learned that our companion intends to bring her extremely unruly “comfort” poodle -- not only to the opera, ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a good friend who is the polar opposite of me on politics, religion and almost every other subject.