ArcaMax

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I received an invitation for a work-sponsored event. The invitation states: "To help us minimize our environmental footprint and make cleanup easier, we kindly ask that you bring your own silverware, plate and beverage container."

So, when I arrive, I will be toting a plate, some silverware (not sure if I will need a knife or...Read more

Dear Annie: I love my sister dearly, but she's one of those people who always has to top everyone's story. If I mention I had a bad cold, she'll say hers turned into pneumonia. If I get a compliment at work, she'll mention a big promotion she got years ago. Family gatherings have become exhausting because every conversation somehow circles ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My best friend of more than 10 years, "Ian," ghosted me! We used to talk about everything -- wives, children, jobs. We spent hours together and helped each other sort out our problems. He knew more about me than my wife. With no explanation, he stopped responding to texts and messages and is ignoring my calls. I have come to terms ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: Two of my friends are extremely cheap, and it's getting to the point where it's hard to enjoy doing anything with them. We all live in New York City, and as you know, the cost of simply existing here is high. Yet they complain about every price tag, subway fare or coffee that costs more than $3, even splitting an Uber when it's ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was at the head of a line to vote; the precinct wasn't crowded, and no one's wait was long. The precinct volunteer encountered a problem that prompted her to seek help, and I spent my wait looking at the floor rather than staring in her direction, not wanting her to misinterpret my gaze as annoyance (the wait was no big deal...Read more

Dear Annie: My sister, "Ellen," has an extensive history of being the victim of sexual abuse, which has caused her a lot of trauma. I'm so proud of all the work she has done to process and work through much of this. However, she tends to have very skewed and strong views on most things. We often see situations, past and present, in almost ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have a brother who is very opinionated and in my face any time I don't agree with him. It doesn't matter what the subject is; he thinks he's the only one who knows anything about it. He is not educated, but he thinks he's smarter than everyone else, even educated people.

He won't let me get a word in while he's yelling and ...Read more

You've reached the last of the survey's core questions, but this is no finale. Next week highlights lifestyle-related questions and responses. Let's dive back in.

--Are you or do you plan to be sexually faithful to your partner? (About 39 percent said yes.)

--Has your sex life as a single person lived up to your expectations?

--Does ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend expects me to handle every single detail whenever we hang out: choosing the activity, making the reservations, checking hours and figuring out travel time. The moment we decide to do something, she defaults to, "You pick!" or "Just tell me where to go!" I've told her multiple times, in clear and honest ways, that I don'...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: As part of my job as a news reporter, I spend a great deal of time on the telephone. The conversations I have require a lot of concentration. Often, I have been waiting all day to hear from someone and am up against a strict deadline when he or she finally calls. I must answer when the phone rings.

Many times, other members ...Read more

Dear Annie: My younger sister, "Clara," moved to my town last spring after a painful breakup. She was fragile, devastated and desperate for a fresh start. I opened my home and my heart without hesitation. I drove her to job interviews, invited her for dinner several nights a week, included her in outings with friends and did everything a big ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm struggling with my integrity and an important friendship. My friend "Beth's" husband, "Jerry," came to my house to help with a construction project. After discussing the project, we sat down to visit for a bit. He was very forward with me and overly affectionate. (It's been 10 years since I've had any affection.) He also talked ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I was coming up out of the subway the other day when a man spoke to me from behind. He complimented me on my outfit and then looked at me. He remarked that he had thought I was someone else -- a prominent woman in our city. It was a compliment in that regard, but a little jarring, too. This woman is much larger than I am -- at ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Due to a computer meltdown earlier this year, I had to rebuild my holiday greeting card address list. When I asked my mother-in-law to share her list from that side of the family, I was flummoxed to find that she addresses her cards as "Mr. and Mrs. Husband's Name" -- e.g., John and Jane Smith would be addressed as "Mr. and ...Read more