MISS MANNERS ARCHIVE

Some guests respond to this letter writer’s holiday party invite like it would be a burden to attend.

Friend said no to hosting the couple and then didn’t offer to pay for dinner during their visit.

Letter writer doesn’t have “evening cocktail” attire to attend the wedding of a good friend’s son.

Letter writer felt awkward about attending a distant friend’s funeral and skipped it.

Letter writer can’t stand their “wicked” soon-to-be daughter-in-law but must give a speech at the wedding.

The family deals with the letter writer’s racist, misogynist and homophobic brother by avoiding certain subjects.

Should they let friends pick which of the two holiday parties they host to attend?

Does this letter writer just accept their longtime friend doesn’t want to be close anymore?

Daughter’s name and photo included on a publicly accessible wedding website.

Can he adjust how he hugs shorter people so that it’s more comfortable?

They invited a neighbor to dinner. Should they assume he’ll bring his obnoxious boyfriend?

Does a good host have to tell guests what specifically they should bring?

Brother ignores letter writer’s daughter’s birthday because it falls during the busy summer season.

A sibling wants to know how to handle people texting their deceased brother’s phone to offer their condolences

A friend is bothered by a “you’re welcome” text.

A parent feels frustrated at being asked to give back baby clothes so another woman can use them as well.

A letter writer is annoyed that one dinner guest has unilaterally decided who’s footing the bill.

A parent wants to help their private chef daughter find a way to tune out distracting clients while she cooks.