DEAR MISS MANNERS: We are older adults who go to bed earlier than many people, and often leave parties without saying goodbye. We do it because, often, when one guests leaves, others take it as a sign ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We are older adults who go to bed earlier than many people, and often leave parties without saying goodbye. We do it because, often, when one guests leaves, others take it as a sign ...

Dear Miss Manners: When hosting a cocktail hour, how does the hostess gracefully navigate the quantity of food served? For example, if the cheese platter is reduced to a few bites, should the hostess ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My brother and I celebrated the birthday of a close friend with several others. The dinner was at a local restaurant, beginning at 5 p.m. (stated time). We had difficulty finding ...

Dear Miss Manners: My birthday is a few days after the new year. It’s a very easy date to miss altogether in the shadow of ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I often struggle with finding the right time to serve the meal at a dinner party. Should it be as soon as all the guests have arrived? Or maybe when all the appetizers are gone?

DEAR MISS MANNERS: At a dinner party, my companion quietly excused herself after the meal to smoke a cigarette. She went outside, over our nonsmoking hostess’s protestations that inside was fine. As I ...

During a round of toasts, she was admonished for raising her water glass. They said toasting someone with water is bad luck.