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2 days ago | 
adn.com | Judith Martin |Nicholas Martin |Jacobina Martin
DEAR MISS MANNERS: To prevent party guests from driving impaired, I came up with a fun game using a $21 breathalyzer I bought online. I call it “Have I Had Too Many?” Guests who are at, or even close to, the legal limit get a prize -- a free ride home! Everything was going great until one guest tested at well over twice the legal limit, but then refused the free ride.
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3 days ago | 
adn.com | Judith Martin |Nicholas Martin |Jacobina Martin
DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is your opinion on handkerchiefs? I prefer them to tissues. I have seen brides, at weddings that cost thousands of dollars, crying into wadded-up tissues. If they really find it so disgusting to reuse a soiled handkerchief, they could invest a few dollars in a multi-pack and get a fresh one each time. Also, I believe that it is better for the environment.
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1 week ago | 
adn.com | Judith Martin |Nicholas Martin |Jacobina Martin
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My daughter is turning 9 soon, and we will be having a small party with four of her closest friends. We are hosting the party at the clubhouse facility in our condo complex. There is a fifth girl we know, “Kiara,” who also lives in the complex, with whom my daughter sometimes plays. I consider her mom somewhat of a friend, though we do not spend time together without the kids. Our older sons are friends, as well.
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2 weeks ago | 
adn.com | Judith Martin |Nicholas Martin |Jacobina Martin
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Three years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer. I was extremely fortunate: My tumor was removed and I did not require radiation or chemo. I have my screenings yearly and all has been well. Am I a “cancer survivor”? I never want to take anything away from someone who had a much more difficult battle than I did. I don’t want to use the term incorrectly. GENTLE READER: First of all, Miss Manners would like to say how fortunate it is that you are now well.
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2 weeks ago | 
adn.com | Judith Martin |Nicholas Martin |Jacobina Martin
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Should a daughter spend Father’s Day with her husband or her father? I haven’t seen my daughter on Father’s Day since she got married 18 years ago. Her husband demands to spend Father’s Day at their beach house 300 miles away, and later, they will want to host me there for a visit. I think this is extremely selfish of him and a slap in the face to me. She has no backbone when it comes to him and his family; she “married up,” or so she thinks.
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3 weeks ago | 
adn.com | Judith Martin |Nicholas Martin |Jacobina Martin
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My young teen grandson has a steady girlfriend who is bright, beautiful and caring, and who makes my grandson happy. They went to a school dance, and my daughter bought my grandson a special outfit for it. His girlfriend was lovely, but was wearing something that was clearly less than new. Of course, they had a wonderful evening.
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1 month ago | 
adn.com | Judith Martin |Nicholas Martin |Jacobina Martin
DEAR MISS MANNERS: When serving a steak, the server will often say something along the lines of, “Please cut into the center to make sure it’s cooked the way you want it.” At a business dinner of around 20 people, I was rather rudely corrected for doing so by someone who thought I was about to commence eating before everyone’s entree had been served. Should I have waited until everyone was served to check my steak, even though I wasn’t eating yet?
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1 month ago | 
adn.com | Judith Martin |Nicholas Martin |Jacobina Martin
DEAR MISS MANNERS: When hosting a cocktail hour, how does the hostess gracefully navigate the quantity of food served? For example, if the cheese platter is reduced to a few bites, should the hostess be constantly monitoring and replenishing it, even if the planned “hour” has passed? I certainly don’t want to appear stingy with guests. But bringing out more food seems to encourage lingering and drifting into dinner time and beyond.
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2 months ago | 
spokesman.com | Judith Martin |Nicholas Martin |Jacobina Martin
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My mother-in-law and sister-in-law wore white gowns to my wedding. Their actions were so obvious that guests commented on it, and the DJ asked for “the real bride to please stand up.”Why would they do this on my wedding day? GENTLE READER: A mean-spirited prank gone wrong? Regardless, it does not bode well for your future relationship with them. Or for a shared sense of humor.
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2 months ago | 
spokesman.com | Judith Martin |Nicholas Martin |Jacobina Martin
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Between my husband and me, who have each been married previously to other people, we have four children, 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. We have been married to each other for almost 25 years. Six of the grandchildren and all of the great-grandchildren have been born during our marriage. I am especially close to some of the grandchildren from his side of the family.
