Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips.

Miss Manners therefore suggests that you turn that weak smile into something that does, in fact, betray your irritation, perhaps with a murmured “Not funny.” Anything less seems only to encourage him.

I have suspected for many years that my son is gay. I don’t understand why he would feel he can’t talk to me about his ...