@stationery loft. You raise an interesting point when you cite so-called proper etiquette. What makes it "proper?" Is it because it's the way you've always done it? Or because you read it in a "proper etiquette" book? I'm not sure there's one particular way to do things -- and even less sure there should be. When it comes to good manners, I think one of the few hard and fast rules is to try not to hurt someone's feelings unnecessarily...and I don't understand how writing two names on one line when addressing an envelope (vs. writing each name on its own separate line) could possibly matter in the great scheme of personal relations. I see you feel differently and am curious to hear why. Maybe it's fodder for a followup post? -- Michelle

@ Renee: How did you end up addressing the envelope to the two doctors? I admit that after a long day of trying to decode this etiquette stuff on a zillion envelopes, I might be giddy enough to write, simply, "Doctor, Doctor!"

Thanks to @hdbernard for tackling this same topic on her blog at http://tinyurl.com/66wtzun

To clarify: Jill's in-laws offered to pay half the cost of the dog's surgery.

@Carrie Applegate: Bea has been solving the Netflix problem like this: "We have been sticking the red paper back into the envelope with the plastic strip." As for the future, she says, " I was just getting online to cancel my netflix mailing (and only do online)."

@SophieCat: Recently I wrote a post asking...why do people write mean things online that they would never say to your face? It's at http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2010/12/rude-comments-etiquette.html

spring day

@Lynn: Can you get the group exercise coordinator involved? If she's putting a reminder on the weekly schedules, she knows it's a problem. If she's a voice of authority, she could have a word with the offender. Coming from her, it wouldn't sound personal ("I love your perfume, but some people who are in class with you are having trouble breathing...."

@Kimberley: I think the way to approach it with your friend is to frame it as a health problem you wish you didn't have. Confide in her that it's embarrassing, but you've developed allergies and have been forced because of this to go around telling people --at work! at family holiday gatherings! etc. -- that you would appreciate it if they would lay off the scents when they are around you. Add, "It's weird, but I'm even allergic to your perfume. I'm so sorry." See if that works.

@Kristen: We too have a "gift hoarder" in our house (no names) who tries to stockpile presents while other people unwrap theirs. There should be a name -- or maybe a clinical diagnosis? -- for this behavior.

Just to clarify: My mother is alive! If you're reading this, Mom, hi.

@Deb Sochor: Thank you for that great example of how to disagree NICELY.

@Grace: Excellent question. So...my friend walked into the meeting.... saw the former boss who had fired her and said ... "Hi, how are you?" in a what-a-nice-coincidence voice.

@Shannon: You and me both! I've been trying to get that recipe for years.

@Angeline, @Reader and @Tina: Why didn't I think of that? Speaking as a mother, I'm all for celebrating mothers...

@Jackie: I love you, and I don't care if the whole world knows it.

@Kate Ashford and @Meaghan: You both make excellent points, that you can never go wrong in the workplace if you "just be polite" and "hold no hard feelings," even toward a former boss who fired you. After all, as Don Corleone might have pointed out, it's just business, not personal.

@Tracey S.: You make an interesting point which, if I am reading your comment correctly, is that the most graceful way to deal with the situation would be to rise above it. Is that right? If so, what would you say to the boss who had fired you?