On the other end of the spectrum, luxury gyms like Equinox, Life Time Fitness, and Chelsea Piers—where monthly memberships cost, at minimum $200 a month, though they can be much more—have ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My 11-year-old granddaughter wants to register online for birthday gifts for her party. I told her I didn’t think that was appropriate, especially for 11-year-olds.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a number of friends I regularly meet for meals out, as well as for friends’ birthdays. We’ve been friends for going on 40 years and first began socializing after ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a number of friends I regularly meet for meals out, as well as for friends’ birthdays. We’ve been friends for going on 40 years and first began socializing after ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I will be hosting a family gathering for our kids and grandkids. On top of having many people to feed, there are my (medically dictated) dietary restrictions to ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a good friend who is the polar opposite of me on politics, religion and almost every other subject. We are cognizant of these differences, and refrain from debate or ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I live near a university, and graduate students are always looking for odd jobs to make extra money. One of them does my laundry twice a week, and always returns it beautifully ...

Dear Miss Manners: My spouse and I frequently host meals for 10 to 20 guests, both personally and professionally. We have a debate over whether to put out spoons for meals when we are not serving ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My cousin invited me for dinner on a Sunday night and asked me to bring wine and a dessert. When I got there, she said it had been a very busy weekend and she hadn’t had time ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a friend who retells the same stories over and over and over again. It’s like he cannot recall telling them to me before, or he just wants to re-experience them himself ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My children’s school district is the first organization I’ve dealt with in my professional career in which employees routinely ignore their customers. I make an effort to ...

Dear Miss Manners: We live in a small beach community. Five years ago, we met a lovely couple who have a vacation home across the street. We are all semiretired. They are both gourmet chefs and ...