Miss Conduct's Blog
New shows at brand new theater
There is a brand-new theater opening up in town, with...
SPECIAL ISSUES
your home issue
The Grand Outdoors
Four garden makeovers, plus the perfect window box and tips from Ellen C. Wells.
the real estate issue
The Cape Is Calling
Vacation homes on the Cape, plus the best ZIP codes and rules for surviving a soft market.
the summer camps issue
Finding the Right Camp
A guide for the anxious parent, plus camps off the beaten trail, parenting tips and more.
More than 105 picks in four categories: Food, People & Ideas, Diversions, and Shopping.
Bostonian of the Year
Guarding the House
When the mortgage crisis blew up, Bruce Marks stood up for the Average Joes.
the restaurant issue
The Best in Service
29 places that treat you like royalty, plus the dish on waiters and diners.
The Rising Cost of Friendship
For years I've invited friends to my summer beach cottage and provided all the food. Now with prices on the rise, I need help with the grocery bills. Is there a delicate way to ask for a donation or supermarket gift card? If not, what do you advise? J.B. in Millis (Boston Globe, 12 a.m.)
Where Breast Milk Shouldn't Go
A co-worker recently returned from maternity leave, and upon opening our office refrigerator today to grab my yogurt, I came face to face with a bottle of what appears to be breast milk, labeled with this woman's name. Although I breast-fed my children and am an ardent supporter of it, I always took pains to be discreet about it at ... (Boston Globe, 7/13/08)
It's Not My Party
I received an invitation recently from someone at our tennis club. The e-mail was sent to the whole team, about 23 people - a handful rarely play, about seven are in the core group who play every week and socialize regularly, and the rest (including myself) are somewhere in between. I didn't want to say no and have the hostess ... (Boston Globe, 6/29/08)
Invasion of Screamyboy
I am an administrator for a psychologist in a very busy doctors' office. The other day, a woman came in with her two children, one of whom ran up and down the hallway, banging on the walls and screaming at the top of his voice. We have signs posted around the suite asking for quiet. I approached her and said, ... (Boston Globe, 6/22/08)
Produce Perfectionists
At my Whole Foods, I saw a woman opening several containers of strawberries and combining all the good ones into one perfect container of berries. While I was trying to decide if I should say something to her or a store manager, one of the produce workers came over and started to laugh and joke with her as she continued ... (Boston Globe, 6/15/08)
Living the Fantasy
Is it appropriate to have a table set as though one were having a dinner party at all times? I see beautiful homes in magazines and on TV where the table is set with chargers, dinner plates, crystal, napkins, and silverware. For a formal dining room, is this over-accessorizing? (Boston Globe, 5/11/08)
Company's Coming - for a Month!
I have a friend who is moving across the country to Boston. She moves into her new apartment in two months but starts her new job in one month. She had dropped joking hints about staying at my place, so I offered to let her stay, if need be - only meaning the offer as a helpful fallback. She immediately ... (Boston Globe, 5/4/08)
Please, Take My Money
Recently, a woman I know slightly from a class asked me to review her resume and help her write a cover letter for a job. I had never mentioned to her that I am a freelance writer, and I approached it merely as doing a favor for an acquaintance - but she insisted on paying me. I said I was ... (Boston Globe, 4/27/08)