GENTLE READER: Justifying one rudeness by citing another is ruder. Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, ...

The letter writer’s friend thinks buying something counts as a gift to the seller. Dear Miss Manners: I had an art show last summer, the week before my birthday. An old friend stopped by and purchased ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I had an art show last summer, the week before my birthday ... I smiled and said “thank you.” I didn’t really know how to react. Then at Christmas, as I opened her ...