DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have discovered that my husband’s small business has been sending out birthday/anniversary cards addressed to clients by their first names (i.e. Joe Smith). I believe that the envelopes should be addressed using a title (Mr. Joe Smith). I have been informed by my husband, and his young receptionist, that using the title is too formal and omitting it is friendlier.

His clients are professionals between the ages of 30 and 90. I believe that most of them were raised during a time of proper etiquette, and that my husband not using titles makes his correspondence appear uncouth. Am I just being too picky?

GENTLE READER: “Mr. Joe Smith” would be Miss Manners’ preference. But then, she would also prefer not to receive birthday cards from her (for instance) dentist, who only knows her birthday from her private medical records — not because he is a friend.

Now Miss Manners has a question of her own: Is this decision being made by the proprietor of the business, his wife or the receptionist who claims to know what everybody is doing these days? She is merely curious, since the lines between the personal and the professional seem to be particularly blurred at your husband’s place of business.

***

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband’s cousin and her husband live a few miles away from us. While their parents were fairly close when the cousins were growing up, the cousins themselves didn’t maintain contact once they became adults.

I enjoy sending greeting cards for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and so on, and this cousin is on my list. We’re also friends on social media.

She messages me and suggests that we get together for lunch sometime, but offers no specific details. I then propose a date, time and place, which she agrees to, but always cancels on the day of the meeting.

I’ve come to expect this and don’t think much of it, but it upsets my husband. Should I continue making suggestions even though I know they will likely be canceled at the last minute?

GENTLE READER: Next time the cousin proposes a get-together, give an equally vague response: “That would be great.” Breaking the pattern may or may not change her behavior, but it will give everyone something new to think about.

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Kat Dennings, 39; Chris Evans, 44; Tim Allen, 72; Stellan Skarsgard, 74.

Happy Birthday: Take pride in what you do. Trust your instincts and take the path that makes the most sense and brings you peace of mind. Focus on saving, investing and caring for your body, mind and soul. Opportunities will be plentiful if you handle and manage your affairs with long-term objectives. Set yourself up for success. Restructure your qualifications and skills to meet demands. Engage in doing, not dreaming. Your numbers are 7, 12, 20, 28, 31, 36, 47.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Review the possibilities and move forward one step at a time. Enjoy each moment instead of blasting your way through, forgetting what life’s all about. It’s time to breathe, smell the flowers and be grateful for what you have. Consider your options and choose to nurture and protect, not dismantle and regret. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Keep the momentum growing. The moment you slow down or give someone the chance to step in and take over, you’ll have regrets. Opportunity requires action if you wish to be a forerunner in your field. Don’t be afraid to take an assertive approach to whatever you do. It’s OK to stand out. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Be careful: Too much, too soon will be costly. Put a halt on your plans until you have all your ducks in a row. Precision, timing and execution are essential to fulfilling your destiny. Don’t rely on others or cheat on your homework. Live up to your expectations and honor your commitments. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A shift in thinking and how you handle financial and medical affairs is necessary. Get out into the mainstream and discover what’s meaningful to the masses. That’s where you’ll find your safe place and the best route forward. Knowing what’s necessary and what’s fruitless will save you time and money. 5 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): First and foremost, be honest with yourself. Keep your situation in perspective. Refuse to let laziness or “poor me” syndrome set in when your creativity, charm and confidence will carry much more weight when you want something. Make commitments you can keep and finish what you start. 2 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Are you kidding? Do you want to bulldoze your way forward or intellectually win the popular vote and enlist the best of the best to help you make your voice heard and complete your mission? Think big, but fine-tune your game plan to fit your budget, time and available help and skills. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Look for something that moves you. Walk away from annoyances and toward those showing interest in what you want to pursue. Socialize, network and formulate a group that can escalate your dreams and benefits alongside you. Taking on too much or acting too evasive will threaten your home life. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Get out, venture into the mainstream and get a better view of trends. Attend conferences, networking functions and exhibits where you can display and share your thoughts and skills. Whether you are trying to bring about positive personal or professional changes, it’s up to you to make them happen. Romance is favored. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Defuse your emotions before they get you in trouble. Applying pressure will make you look bad, not compel the stubborn person you are trying to convert to thinking your way. Take an approach that offers insight into the desired results. Unique incentives will motivate your audience. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Uncertainty will hold you back. Approach someone who can offer a financial perspective regarding your plans, and you’ll gain insight into your aspirations’ affordability. Time is on your side, so don’t feel pressured. Relax and enjoy the company of friends and family, and the banter with loved ones will help clear your head. 4 stars

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Venture out, discover what’s new and exciting and put your energy into building friendships with people heading in a similar direction. Keep an open mind, but don’t lose sight of your endgame. You’ll gain acceptance and support using charm and intelligence instead of pressure and demands. Communicate, share intentions and forge ahead. 2 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Presentation is everything when you want others to do things for you. An enthusiastic and entertaining approach to getting ahead comes from doing your homework, upgrading your skills and qualifications and heading in a direction you feel passionate about. Combining thought with action will bring you to the winner’s circle. 5 stars

Birthday Baby: You are pioneering, aggressive and charismatic. You are fickle and compelling.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

COPYRIGHT 2025 ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106; 816-581-7500

DEAR ANNIE: I’ve been at my job for a little over a year now, and overall, I enjoy the work and my team. But I’m struggling with how to handle a co-worker we’ll call “Matt.” Matt constantly interrupts people during meetings, restates others’ ideas as if they’re his own and has a way of dominating every conversation. It’s not just annoying; it’s starting to affect group morale.

A few of us have tried gently pushing back when he talks over us, but it doesn’t seem to register. He’s also very quick to get defensive, which makes any direct confrontation feel like a risk. I’ve spoken to my supervisor once, who acknowledged it was a pattern but didn’t take any clear action.

I don’t want to be the office complainer, but I also don’t want to keep working in a space where one person dominates everything. How do I address this without making things worse or putting a target on my back? — Tired of Being Talked Over

DEAR TIRED: Since you’ve already tried direct confrontation, subtle social cues and even bringing in the higher-ups, your best bet is to avoid working with him as much as possible. It’s not a perfect solution, but, in the absence of hunting for a new job, it’s one of the only ones you have left.

If that’s simply not an option, then follow up with your supervisor, this time with concrete examples of how Matt’s behavior is impacting the team. Hopefully a thoughtful and respectful reminder will be enough for management to take some action.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

Sarah Cannon was ready to start her vacation last summer on Hawaii’s big island. She, along with her in-laws, her husband and their three kids, was ticketed to fly nonstop from Denver to Kona for about a week in the tropics.

Instead, Cannon and her family got to experience a winding journey that involved mechanical issues, three different airplanes, multiple flight crews, an extra layover in California and a series of incremental delays that ultimately added up to almost 24 hours.

“It was laughable the number of texts and emails I got from United,” Cannon said. “We’ve literally spent thousands of dollars for a direct flight, I should’ve gone with a cheaper two-stop option.”

For her trouble, Cannon said, United Airlines gave her around $30 in meal vouchers per person and a form letter of apology over email.

And that may be all she’s going to get because there’s no single set of rules for airline travel woes.

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Some rules, like those covering refunds for cancellations and significant flight delays by the airline, are dictated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Others, like hotel and meal vouchers and expense reimbursement, are up to individual airline policies spelled out in dozens of pages of legalese known as a contract of carriage.

Can I get a refund if my flight is canceled?

Airlines are required by the DOT to offer a refund when they cancel a flight. It doesn’t matter if the reason for the cancellation was outside their control, like weather, or within their control, like maintenance issues or flight crew shortages. And it doesn’t matter what kind of ticket you bought, including nonrefundable tickets or basic economy tickets.

Airlines prefer to automatically rebook you on their next available flight, but you are under no obligation to take it. Keep in mind, though, that a refund a) might not be instant and b) probably won’t cover the cost of a new last-minute ticket unless your original ticket was pricey. So in many cases, the next-available flight might be the least-expensive option for getting to your destination or back home when things go awry last minute.

If you opt for a refund, you are eligible to get your money back, not just a travel credit or voucher. Airlines are quickest to offer credits and vouchers first, so travelers who want their money back instead often have to take some extra steps. Southwest and Delta, for example, automatically issue travel credit, so travelers who want their money back have to request it.

How do I know what I’m owed?

The DOT has a traveler-focused dashboard (which you can access by clicking here) to help passengers whose flights are canceled or delayed figure out what they’re entitled to.

In theory, the same DOT rules for cancellations also apply to significant delays, meaning passengers are eligible for a refund regardless of the cause of the airline’s delay. The only wrinkle here is that airlines’ definitions of “significant delay” vary.

“Whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors – such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances,” the DOT says.

The rules are different – and more traveler-friendly – in Europe, where laws require airlines to compensate passengers at least 250 euros for delays of three hours or more, and up to 600 euros for longer delays on long-distance flights. Domestic flights in the U.S. have few protections if something goes wrong. For the most part, it’s up to individual airlines to decide how to compensate their passengers after a delay.

“There’s no specific policy on compensations,” said Shaiy Howard, president and CEO of Travel by Shaiy, a travel agency based in South Florida. “Just keep in mind that all airlines vary. When you purchase your airline ticket, in the terms and conditions there can be delays and normally they say you’re not entitled to compensation for certain delays like weather.”

Airline policies vary widely when it comes to delays, from JetBlue, which has a sliding compensation structure up to $250 in credit per person depending on the type and length of delay, to Spirit Airlines, which does not guarantee any form of delay compensation.Check out this story for a full roundup of airline delay policies.

What if there’s a storm brewing or a weather advisory?

Pay attention to your airline’s website, mobile app or Facebook and Twitter accounts at the first hint of weather trouble. Airlines routinely issue travel advisories, alerts and waivers (the names vary by carrier) ahead of big weather events, allowing travelers to move their flight to an eligible earlier or later date. You usually won’t have to pay a change fee or fare difference if your flight meets the criteria.

Airlines also sometimes proactively cancel flights, so they don’t strand passengers and crew during a storm, so check your inbox regularly for updates from the airline about flight changes.

If you’re already at the airport when the flight is canceled, check out airline self-service options for rebooking. The snaking line at the customer service counter or gate and the airline’s reservations centers aren’t the only way to book a new flight. Many airlines allow you to rebook your flight (if they haven’t already or you don’t like the flight they picked) on their websites and mobile apps.

The airline can’t get me on another flight until tomorrow (or later). Do they pay for a hotel?

Here’s where things get trickier and involve those contracts of carriage. Airline policies generally state that they only pay for a hotel if the flight cancellation or overnight delay is their fault, and then only if you don’t live in the city you’re stranded in. The earlier you request one, the better, as airport hotels sell out quickly when there’s flight cancellation mayhem.

Weather, of course, and air traffic control issues are outside of airlines’ control, so passengers whose flights are scrubbed for those reasons generally aren’t given free hotel stays. (Many airlines do offer discounted hotel rates for those impacted by weather cancellations, so be sure to ask.)

How do you know the reason for your cancellation?

“I think passengers, quite frankly, have a right to be suspicious,” William McGee told USA TODAY in 2021 when he was an aviation adviser to Consumer Reports. “Airlines are not forthcoming on a lot of issues like this.”

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At the same time, the former airline flight dispatcher says passengers often don’t understand how weather across the country can have a ripple effect on an airline.

Savvy travelers should jot down gate announcements or conversations with employees about the reasons for the delay as well as screenshot any alerts sent about the delay via text or the airline’s mobile app to plead their case for reimbursement if the airline denies hotel accommodations due to weather.

I can’t wait two days for another flight. Can I fly a different airline?

Stranded passengers are free to check options on other airlines, but whether the airline that canceled the original flight picks up the tab is another question.

Most major airlines, with the notable exception of Southwest, have so-called interline agreements with competitors so they can easily transfer passengers over when they don’t have room. But airlines prefer to keep travelers on their flights, so the option isn’t usually offered upfront.

Spirit and other budget carriers don’t have interline agreements. Spirit’s contract of carriage states: “With limited exceptions, Spirit will not reimburse guests for flights that they book on other carriers.”

I’m hungry and airport food is expensive. Will the airline reimburse me for meals?

As with hotel stays, meal vouchers also are generally only doled out when cancellations and long delays are caused by the airline, but it never hurts to ask in any situation. Some airlines, though, including Delta and Southwest, have been known to roll in snack carts or order pizza during extreme weather and other situations outside their control.

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What else should travelers know?

The three biggest pieces of advice some experts offered were to join the airline’s frequent flyer program, take the earliest flight out if possible and buy travel insurance.

“I advise all my clients to purchase travel protection,” said Howard, from Travel by Shaiy. Even if an airline doesn’t compensate you following a delay, travel insurance may reimburse you for expenses like rental cars or hotel rooms that you incur as a result.

Marc Casto, president of Flight Centre Travel Group, said it’s also important to pay attention to which kind of ticket you purchase.

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“At the stage of buying, I would encourage travelers not to buy the cheapest fare. Those are the most likely passengers to get bumped,” he said.

Booking through a third party like Expedia or Orbitz can also add a layer of complication if something goes wrong, Howard and Casto said, because airlines usually require passengers to make changes and file complaints through their booking agent, and the websites sometimes have different rules around compensation.

Cannon agreed that she would be more careful about buying travel insurance in the future.

“My 4-year-old said, ‘next time can we just take a boat to Hawaii?’ ” she said. “For the other travelers that are out there, either be flexible or drive, or take a boat as my toddler says.”