GENTLE READER: Ah, the old, “I wasn’t starting my dinner, I was just trying it.” The optics do not really distinguish between ...

GENTLE READER: Ah, the old, “I wasn’t starting my dinner, I was just trying it.” The optics do not really distinguish between the two. It does feel unfair, Miss Manners agrees, when the servers are ...

I was rudely corrected for doing so by someone who thought I was about to commence eating before everyone had been served.

On other occasions, when a server has given that invitation, I always cut into the center of the steak immediately, without taking a bite of it, before eating anything else on the plate. In a smaller ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When serving a steak, the server will often say something along the lines of, “Please cut into the center ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When serving a steak, the server will often say something along the lines of, “Please cut into the center ...

GENTLE READER: After 50 years, you might let things be. Miss Manners can understand your having waited to be certain your new ...

GENTLE READER: After 50 years, you might let things be. Miss Manners can understand your having waited to be certain your new ...

Miss Manners: Is my husband right that my phone alarm is rude? Miss Manners: The graduation invitation now sounds almost like a threat Miss Manners: I don’t want to sound so curt when they ask ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend of mine has been keeping in touch with me by sending text messages that contain one sentence only: “How are you, Jen?” Related Articles Miss Manners: The graduation ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend of mine has been keeping in touch with me by sending text messages that contain one sentence only: “How are you, Jen?” He never shares anything about himself ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I frequently entertain ... He will insert another pouch after dinner but before dessert. When I clear the table, I find the pouches on his dinner plate as well ...