In today's Miss Manners column, advice columnist Judith Martin responds to politely avoiding small talk with strangers in public places.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Strangers want to make small talk with me while waiting in grocery checkout lines, at bus stops, at the bank, during flights, etc. I do not want to make friends with strangers every ...

Led by newcomers Marni Duggan and Galaxie Clear, Molly Manners' “Extra Geography” finds humor in feminine angst and youthful ...

Saying "please" and "thank you" is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to children's etiquette ...

For an afternoon event, tea-length (something that falls around midcalf) is expected for women in dressy day fabrics (silk, ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was at a store with narrow aisles. I turned down an aisle where there were two women with carts. Miss Manners: My new co-workers are invading my privacy Miss Manners: A new ...

In the future, the human race has been divided into 14 different color castes that determine every individual's role and placement in the hierarchical structure of society. This underlying idea is at ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: For several years, it has been my pleasure to host three longtime friends -- a married couple and her brother, a particular friend of mine -- to a collective birthday dinner at our ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Our dear friends Hank and Bridget have been married for more than 35 years. Each had been married previously and had one child each, and they have a child together. That child is ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am appalled at the current practice on TV home decor shows of placing books with their titles to the wall. It is a huge fad. I keep waiting for one of the hosts to realize that ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: While at lunch at a casual restaurant, I noticed a woman joining a large group, who were all standing around before sitting at their table. I immediately noticed that her zipper was ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am appalled at the current practice on TV home decor shows of placing books with their titles to the wall. It is a huge fad. I keep waiting for one of the hosts to realize that ...