In today's Miss Manners column, advice columnist Judith Martin responds to a reader confused by social media claims that the ...

An unexpected rainstorm. A traffic jam on your morning commute. Realizing you forget to put on deodorant. There are many things that can turn your day from good to bad. But there is one thing you’re ...

But as your mild little response is ignored, Miss Manners will have to provide you with something clearer: “Thank you, but I ...

Each week in the Tuesday column, Prudence asks readers for their thoughts on a question that has her stumped. She’ll post her final thoughts on the matter on Fridays. I am the Gen X child (46M) of ...

Dear Abby: My friend and I read your column often and usually agree with your advice, but we could not disagree more with your response to “Definitely Not Your Ma’am in South Carolina.” She’s the ...

Imagine you are addressing someone as “Miss.” About how old is the person? How old is the person you are addressing as “Mister?" “Ma’am?" “Sir?" Did you imagine a young woman for “Miss?" Older woman ...

This past week CNN ran a feature story about how some women across America apparently view being called “ma’am” in a negative light, feeling that use of the word toward them somehow carries a ...

In the South, saying “sir” and “ma’am” is instilled from the time a toddler can talk. Elders, strangers, customers, clerks: You add that little fillip after “excuse me” or “thank you.” “It’s very ...

The widely played video clip of U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer reprimanding a general for calling her "ma'am" is the gift that keeps on giving for the two Republicans hoping to challenge her next year.