DEAR MISS MANNERS: At a restaurant, if my food is served by someone other than my waiter and I need to request an additional or missing item (e.g., extra sauce or sour cream), do I make that request ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I try to be friendly and courteous when hailed or greeted by strangers, and I try to listen respectfully to their tales of days gone by. But I do begin to tire at the third or ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’ve had a tough year, and am blessed with friends who keep in contact to make sure I’m OK. My problem is that I have a few friends who call or invite me out under the guise of ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: It seems more and more of my friends’ young adult children are getting tattoos. Often my friends share the news like the tattoo is some sort of accomplishment and, if the young ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have two friends I see frequently, but they rarely see each other. When we all get together, inevitably one will start telling the other a story I have heard many times. Then the ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I took a long cross-country flight, during which I was assigned the middle seat. The gentleman seated by the window insisted on asking me about my relationship with Jesus, showing ...

Dear Miss Manners: I have a reputation for being a good listener and having a good shoulder to cry on. I am happy to listen to my friends’ troubles and offer encouragement when needed. But there are ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How can I become a better listener and not think I’m always right? GENTLE READER: Practice. (Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her ...

Q: I've a question that's bothered me for years — perhaps more philosophical than etiquette. I'm the house pianist at an elegant dinner house, and the other night a customer gave me a request and was ...