Funeral attire has long been governed by unwritten rules. Yet a friend’s remark about wearing black being “pretentious” if one was not close to the deceased has stirred deeper questions about how best to pay respects.

A recent Miss Manners column highlights the frustration of waiting for thank-you notes or invitations that never come. By sharing a senior’s perspective, it suggests letting go of rigid expectations might leave us feeling lighter and more at peace.

For nearly a year, one reader has sidestepped a cherished friendship to avoid entering an expensive social circle. Miss Manners offers insight on how honesty and kindness can bring old friends back together without straining anyone’s wallet.

In a culture where quick comebacks and scathing remarks seem common, “Miss Manners” reminds us that trading insults accomplishes little. Instead, she advises tact and politeness as stronger, more constructive options.

A new question posed to Miss Manners wonders if saying “bless you” after flatulence is simply an unusual personal habit or a longstanding Southern custom. Advice columnist Judith Martin addresses this lighthearted dilemma in her popular column, reflecting on how etiquette can evolve to embrace society’s quirks.

Miss Manners columnist Judith Martin addresses reader worries about whether societal pressures have rapidly changed our vocabulary. She points out that language naturally evolves and that lexicographers record these shifts in response to social changes.

A favored hostel turned unexpectedly hostile when a staff member lashed out at a guest for subpar room cleaning. This confrontational encounter has left the guest reconsidering what was once a longtime favorite lodging spot.

Observing a stranger’s unzipped pants can lead to an uncomfortable dilemma: are you helping or overstepping by saying something? This question spotlights a moment that causes many of us to hesitate, wondering if courtesy should override our fear of embarrassment.

A couple grapples with whether to charge houseguests for their stay, questioning the limits of hospitality. Meanwhile, another reader wonders if leftover food from neighboring tables in a restaurant is fair game. Advice columnist Eric Thomas addresses these daily dilemmas with clear-eyed practicality.

A recent Miss Manners column poses a question about responsibility for so-called “ghosting” when there may be no communication to begin with. The brief query underscores how modern social norms and online etiquette can become muddled, leaving friends unsure of who owes whom a reply.