Dear Mary

Dear Mary

30 June 2016 1:00 pm

Q. The setting was dinner for 16 at one of Europe’s most civilised houses. Sitting on the right of the…

Your problems solved

25 June 2016 3:00 am

Q. A friend’s daughter is marrying soon. She and her husband-to-be, both art-lovers, have dispensed with a wedding list, instead…

Your problems solved

23 June 2016 2:00 am

Q. A friend’s daughter is marrying soon. She and her husband-to-be, both art-lovers, have dispensed with a wedding list, instead…

Your problems solved

18 June 2016 9:00 am

Q. My daughters and I were recently taking our seats on an aeroplane. From behind us came the recorded refrain…

Your problems solved

16 June 2016 1:00 pm

Q. My daughters and I were recently taking our seats on an aeroplane. From behind us came the recorded refrain…

Your problems solved

9 June 2016 1:00 pm

Q. When going out to dinner I’ve found some people will send everyone a list of the other guests so…

Dear Mary: What can you do when your new neighbours stiff you on a restaurant bill?

4 June 2016 9:00 am

Q. We moved recently and new neighbours invited us to join them for dinner at a nearby restaurant. I planned…

Your problems solved

2 June 2016 1:00 pm

Q. We moved recently and new neighbours invited us to join them for dinner at a nearby restaurant. I planned…

Dear Mary: Is it OK to ask to drink the wine you brought to a dinner party?

28 May 2016 9:00 am

Q. What is the etiquette regarding asking to drink the wine you have brought to a dinner party? The man…

Your problems solved

26 May 2016 1:00 pm

Q. What is the etiquette regarding asking to drink the wine you have brought to a dinner party? The man…

Dear Mary: why have all my friends given me scented candles?

21 May 2016 9:00 am

Q. My super successful son kindly gave a birthday dinner party for me in a glamorous London club. I have never…

Your problems solved

19 May 2016 1:00 pm

Q. My super successful son kindly gave a birthday dinner party for me in a glamorous London club. I have never…

Dear Mary: When I woke up at 3 a.m., my dinner party guests hadn’t gone

14 May 2016 9:00 am

How do you persuade your pleasant dinner guests to go home when they will stay into the early hours if…

Dear Mary

12 May 2016 1:00 pm

How do you persuade your pleasant dinner guests to go home when they will stay into the early hours if…

Dear Mary: My doctor keeps asking me for advice on selling furniture

7 May 2016 9:00 am

Q. I know it’s a gaffe to ask a doctor for medical advice at a party, but what is the…

Your problems solved

5 May 2016 1:00 pm

Q. I know it’s a gaffe to ask a doctor for medical advice at a party, but what is the…

Dear Mary: How can I angle for a wedding invitation?

30 April 2016 9:00 am

Q. How does one go about getting invited to a wedding? Two friends of mine from university, who I have…

Your problems solved

28 April 2016 1:00 pm

Q. How does one go about getting invited to a wedding? Two friends of mine from university, who I have…

Dear Mary: how can my friend make her husband wear his hearing aids?

23 April 2016 9:00 am

Q. A friend of mine’s husband is in his nineties. They are a delightful couple but the husband has started…

Your problems solved

21 April 2016 1:00 pm

Q. A friend of mine’s husband is in his nineties. They are a delightful couple but the husband has started…

Dear Mary on thongs vs big pants and stilettos on wooden floors

16 April 2016 9:00 am

Q. I have a daily problem with knickers. I am size eight so not obese, but I find the sort…

Dear Mary

14 April 2016 1:00 pm

Q. I have a daily problem with knickers. I am size eight so not obese, but I find the sort…

Dear Mary: How can I make a conversation-stopping gaffe go away?

9 April 2016 9:00 am

Q. What should a host do when a guest says something so embarrassing in front of the assembled company that…

Dear Mary

7 April 2016 1:00 pm

Q. What should a host do when a guest says something so embarrassing in front of the assembled company that…

Dear Mary: How to stop a host turning his dinner party into a debate

2 April 2016 9:00 am

Q. Twice recently our host has clinked his glass, required us to stop relaxing and instead take part in a…