Miss Conduct's Blog

Today's column

Sun, 27 May 2012 12:44:41 -0500

... is online here. A sample: The way we behave toward our partnered friends should allow them to feel comfortable enough to confide in us should they need to. This means not acting invested in a particular view of their...

Response to "Revoking an invitation"

Fri, 25 May 2012 16:10:45 -0500

If you've given someone an STD, you have to have them at your wedding. This was the consensus in response to Monday's question, from an LW who was wondering if she still had to invite a classmate who had dropped out...

Happy news!

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:00:37 -0500

Remember about a year ago, when I answered a question (the second one) from a 50-year-old woman whose aunt would pull and attempt to cut her hair? Look who I heard from: I just wanted to send you an update....

Need a quick ego boost?

Wed, 23 May 2012 10:52:53 -0500

Then try this (unfortunately, it only works for single people): tell your friends, or post on Facebook, that you are joining an online dating site but are terrible at writing about yourself. Ask for help crafting a profile. Wait for the...

Tuesday bonus round

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:15:56 -0500

A friend of mine posted the following on Facebook: What is proper business etiquette when your bra explodes in a business meeting? Yesterday, I was wearing one of the convertible strap bras with a camisole and a cardigan. As I...

Monday question: Revoking an invitation

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:40:07 -0500

Here's an awkward question: Back in November, I sent save the date cards for my wedding this July to the seven members of my graduate school cohort. I am closer to some of my classmates than I am to others, but...

Today's column

Sun, 20 May 2012 11:37:20 -0500

... is online here. This is the one where I discuss the enraging tendency of some people to command strangers to "Smile!": I'd advise against profanity or abuse, as this disfigures your own soul, and these men aren't worth it....

Response to "Summertime and the living is -- KNOCK IT OFF!"

Fri, 18 May 2012 18:39:41 -0500

Monday's question, from an LW bothered by noisy kids, got a lot of commenter derailed talking about demographic issues. Granted, the LW framed the question that way, but I think age is a red herring in this case. It's generally...

Chat today!

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:18:50 -0500

Miss Conduct on etiquette -- May 16 at noon...

Reader, I married them

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:31:44 -0500

Thank you all for your feedback to my question of what to wear to officiate my friends' wedding! The fact that it was a glorious day made my choices easier. I decided to go with a bright, solid color that...

Monday question: Summertime, and the living is -- KNOCK IT OFF!

Mon, 14 May 2012 08:40:08 -0500

Good morning, readers! Today's question is one I'm sure I'll be seeing more versions of as the weather keeps getting nicer. What do you think of this LW's problem? I am sure this has happened to many a neighborhood as families...

Today's column

Sun, 13 May 2012 10:57:17 -0500

... is online here. A sample: [E]very significant other wants to be treated differently, better than a friend. We want to be looked after, catered to. Cherished a bit, as long as it's in a way that doesn't make either...

"Emily Rooney Show" segment on weddings

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:34:01 -0500

Thanks for your stories about weddings, readers! I had a fun call-in segment on "The Emily Rooney Show" yesterday on All Things Wedding. Updates on the wedding I'm performing will come next week. I did realize that since it's being held...

Followup on "When metaphors attack"

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:24:04 -0500

I've got several things to catch you up on today, dear readers, so let's start with some further thoughts about last Monday's question about the use of "take a stab." First of all, I'm not sure I can endorse my...

Monday open thread: Wedding stories

Mon, 07 May 2012 11:54:16 -0500

If my sinuses didn't tell me, my inbox would: It's spring! And that means weddings, weddings, weddings. I'll be on "The Emily Rooney Show" this Thursday discussing wedding problems, best practices, and best of all, stories. What's the best/worst/funniest/most romantic/strangest thing you've...