In today's Miss Manners column, advice columnist Judith Martin responds to if declining a last-minute phone call rude.

GENTLE READER: The last time Miss Manners checked, tennis was played with a single ball, so let’s try and keep our eyes on ...

I pickled the vegetables, which were sourced from a farm stand. I baked the bread from wheat milled locally, and the bologna ...

The captain had indicated that she was going to play me, but then she didn’t. I’m not a bad player, so I am not sure why.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Someone I know messaged me about 5:30 p.m., requesting that I call them that evening as they had good news ...

Dear Miss Manners: I was on a tennis team and was eliminated during a tournament. I was supposed to play two matches: I played one and won, but then got injured and bowed out of my second match. I ...

(She) insists that when I am offered another helping of food, it’s rude for me to reply, “No, thank you, I’m full.” ...

In today's Miss Manners column, advice columnist Judith Martin responds to when "sorry for your loss" backfires.

He generally means well, so I don’t wish to embarrass him, but is there a way to graciously shut this down if I hear it again ...

I managed a weak smile that hopefully did not show my irritation, but I’d prefer to never hear this term lobbed in my ...

He generally means well, so I don’t wish to embarrass him, but is there a way to graciously shut this down if I hear it again ...

Miss Manners therefore suggests that you turn that weak smile into something that does, in fact, betray your irritation, ...