Recognizing that no one can anticipate all etiquette questions, it was decided to create our very own PRACTICAL Miss Manners. When I described what I wanted to do to a very good friend, she jumped at the chance. As a matter of fact, every time I spoke to her, she asked me if I was ready yet. Well, I think we are ready ...
So, you are thinking to yourself, "How does that qualify her to be "Miss Manners"?" Well. Maybe it doesn't, but this certainly does:
Ok, so now that her credentials have been established, we like to put a bit of a spin on this. Instead of just signing your real name, although you can do that if you like, we would like you to get a little imaginative on what name you use to help describe the situation. You do not even have to use your real town, as long as it helps describe the situation. So, for example, perhaps you are training your children on table manners, but cannot seem to get a point across, maybe you can sign as "Flabbergasted in Florida", or maybe "Eating with Barbarians in Bar Harbor", or, well you get the idea. Note that we will try to keep this light, but Morgan will respond with a serious solution. So, don’t be shy and give our Miss Practical Manners a try at your etiquette questions.
Oh, and by the way, there is also a spot where you, the reader can also respond to the question or to add on to Miss Manners' response!
Below you will find questions from other visitors to Miss Practical Manners...
wedding shower
Is it proper to host a wedding shower for a couple who went to the jp and if yes who should host it?
greetings
When walking into an office who says good am first?
wimer52@zoominternet.net
Gift Certificate
We received a gift certificate to a very nice and somewhat expensive restaurant from our daughter. Knowing this is a restaurant that our friends have ...
wedding shower
is it o.k. to put greenback wedding shower, when the couple already has a house and living together, they have everything?
Proper attire
I was invited to an award presentation, cocktails and dinner and the invitation stated "cocktail attire is suggested."
How should I dress?
Should you still be able to meet up and stay contact with the opposite sex while in a relationship?
Should you still be able to meet up and stay contact/friends with the opposite sex while in a monogomas relationship?
What to say when someone asks how much I spent on something
I got an expensive ring from my husband for Christmas. His coworkers & mom have all asked how much it costs & made comments about being rich.
holidays
Should the children call the parent for the holidays or should the parent call the children?
Wedding invite
I accidentally asked someone's address for my wedding through Facebook and I don't want to invite them what do I do?
Should you pick up the phone when you have company? If so, how do you handle the phone call?
My brother called to ask me how I was doing, as I had been recently sick. I had company at the time, so I told him I was feeling better, but couldn'...
Gifting for Teen Baptism
What would be an appropriate gift for a teen boy and girl baptism? One of the teens is a grandchild...
constant complaining, or always lying
When my son first married her, we found her very rude. Example: while visitng in their home, she removed a glass of tea from my hand, placed first ...
Hostess gift?
I'm going to a dinner party where there will be 10 guests, I would like to bring a small gift for the hostess. My gift will be a box of chocolates,...
Which R.S.V.P. abomination is more appropriate?
Hoping to prevent hard feelings. I realize this is a case of the lesser of two evils so, which is slightly less appalling?
-To R.S.V.P. to event,...
Is it rude to request that my son not invite his father (ex-husband, was abusive and mostly deadbeat dad) to rehearsal supper, My husband and I are paying?
My ex-husband didn't work until my son turned 18 and we got not a penny from him for seven years in back child support. Luckily I had filed through ...
Proper time to schedule a dinner.
My husbands family drive me nuts. They decide when we are going to eat. If we go to Mel's house, she will say come at 5:30. She doesn't begin to cook ...
Restaurant rudeness???
A group of us went to a restaurant for lunch on Sunday. We were the only occupied table in the restaurant for most of the time we were there, and ...
How to tell someone that they are hurting your feelings?
Hello,
I am a dedicated Vegetarian, since the age of 10, I am now in my 20's & it seems that many people think it okay to mock me during get togethers,...
inviting guests to your home
What is the right response when guests ask what they should bring?
Calling people
We go to a doctor and his staff insist on calling our home as early as 7:15 am to confirm appointsments. I was taught that calling someone before 8:...
Double Bridal Shower
I am attending a double bridal shower and don't know the other guest of honor. Do I need to purchase a gift for her?
Is it appropriate for a wedding engagement to last for more than two years?
Is this inappropriate especially where the couple is still in school but they know that on completion of there 4 year degree for example, they intend ...
My sister-in-law chews with her mouth open.
When my husband, daughter and I go to his parents for lunch every weekend, I sometimes catch my daughter (6) accidentally chewing with her mouth open....
Elbows on the Table
I have a young man of 15 who has argueed with me about resting ones arm at the elbow on the table to bring his fork to his mouth. I am from the Deep ...
Must we invite a friend's new girlfriend to our wedding?
We are getting married in six weeks. A couple we have known for several years recently went through a divorce and though things were amicable, he wanted ...
Asking Prospective Godparents
How do I formally ask potential Godparents to the baptism?
Brother has reniged on a decision causing a dilemma.
We have our niece and nephew visit us every year. This year our 17 year old niece asked if her boyfriend could come along and her parents (my sister ...
Wording for RSVP to formal wedding invitation
We received a formal wedding invitation and want the wording for a correct and equally formal response.
thoughtless gift
My 8 year old daughter received 2 cheap, thoughtless gifts from one of her best friends. Not only that, one of the gifts was a necklace the friend ...
When does a young adult get a date option?
We have just been invited to my niece's bat mitzvah. My son who is twenty has been dating someone for almost two years. Everyone in the family is ...
When do you mail the wedding invitation?
When do you send the invite when you already sent the save the date?
Who should receive graduation announcements?
My daughter who is graduating from college in August is the youngest grand daughter in my family. Consequently, all of her cousins are now adults living ...
Anniversary Party Gift
My husband and I were invited to a 50 wedding anniversary party, the RSVP says "no personal gifts." I was wondering if that meant they would accept ...
Cell phones
Should cell phones be banned from the classroom?
Am I right to feel hurt...and where do I go from here?
Dear Miss Manners,
My son's fiancee is having her bridal shower in 2 weeks, which is being hosted by family. As the mother of the groom, I had ...
Are thank you notes a thing of the past?
Over the years, I have changed from buying Christmas gifts to making them, and that means hours of baking. Last year I sent about 12 relatives and ...
Dealing with flatulence?
Sometimes, especially after a good meal, I feel the need to pass gas. At times it occurs before I can excuse myself from the table. Also at home,...
High School Graduation Announcement Etiquette
My daughter is graduating from high school, and I want to send announcements out. Is proper etiquette to include a note about my daughter's plans ...
Can bride/graphic designer design her shower invitations?
Hello, I am getting married soon and I am a graphic designer. I designed my own wedding invitations. My fiance's cousin is throwing a shower for me ...
Graduation Etiquette Question
My son is graduating, my husband and I are no longer together. I asked him if he could contribute to the dinner after the ceremony he said he could ...
Graduation get together
We are having a graduation get together at a resturant mostly for family for our son. We are providing the cake & ice cream. But the guests will be ...
Does one sign the inside of preprinted Graduation invitation?
My son is graduating the end of May. The invitations were ordered thru salesperson at the school. They are pre printed. Does he sign at the bottom?...
Bridal Shower
I and all my co worker's (15 total) were invited to a bridal shower for a co worker I don't know well or am friends with. I am not invited to the wedding....
Attending X-Husbands Brother's Funeral
I was married for 40 yrs and divorced my husband. He remarried a young girl and I want to attend his brothers funeral out of town. Should I go? The ...
High School Graduation Announcement - can it include mention of College enrollment and scholarship?
My son is graduating High School. When I send his graduation announcements and party invitation, would it be rude for me to include a statement like ...
Brother of the Groom
My brother's fiance has a terrible relationship with her family. He has asked me to witness his wedding at the justice of the peace but does not intend ...
What to do/say when you are told a friend has a terminal disease
Our office just received news that our boss' wife has ALS. We are concerned but don't know what is appropriate. Do we send flowers, cards, what?
How ...
Gifts and Money
After a very trying week at work I anonymously bought and distributed boxes of candy to some co-workers in the office as a "keep up your spirits" kind ...
How to contact you?
I will like to know how can we contact you to schedule a class for children?
Is 30 miles too far for a baby shower?
I offered to host a baby shower for a very close friend. The problem is, I live about 30 min away from her and most of the people on her guest list....
Medical Assistant
Working in a Central Triage area of a large medical firm, should the caller be addressed as "baby", honey...?
Party gifts
I am attending a party for which the invitation states, "no gifts please." It sounds ridiculous to ask but should I bring a small token of the celebration ...
Can I Wear a Blush Colored Shirt
to a Wake?
I bought a blush short sleeve dressy shirt and want to wear it under a black suit jacket with black pants. Is it appropriate?
Date Etiquette Situation
I was invited to a party with some people I did not know well by someone I was dating when one of my dates friends got so drunk that he was vomiting ...
Bridal Shower Etiquette
My future daughter in law recently had a lingerie shower given to her by her attendants. (She gave them a guest list on the approval of her mother)...
Help with table manners of a friend
Dear Ms. P Manners,
I desperately need your advice. I met a guy a few weeks ago who I really like. But a suddenly have a problem. This past week ...
