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 ...

The other day, I stood in line at the grocery store to buy some stamps. When it was my turn, the cashier and I made friendly small talk about the blisteringly hot weather as I paid for the book of ...

Should parents teach their kids to address teachers as “sir” or “ma’am”? Yes, ma’am! Using those honorifics can help strengthen relationships between students and teachers. Apparently, saying “ma’am” ...

I know we’re all proud of our manners and how we treat people around here, but I met a woman recently who had moved here from New Jersey a few years ago. We got to talking about cultural differences ...

Two weeks ago, I came across a thought-provoking article posted on CNN.com by Janelle Davis titled “How ‘ma’am’ went from being a respectful word for some — but polarizing for others.” Davis, a senior ...

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 ...

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 ...