It is quite clear this couple is just seeking gifts, money, attention

also confused as to how to respond and feel like this couple is just seeking attention, money and gifts.

You think? Miss Manners advises you to stop participating. She promises you that these people are not planning to stop asking. “Dear,” and end with “Best wishes,” “Best regards” or just “Best.” They could do better.

Miss Manners realizes that forms change over the years. She admits that “I remain, sir, your most humble, obedient servant” would not now pass either the truth test or the literal meaning test. Still, she would like to retain some difference between addressing lovers, strangers and those in between. In formal correspondence, “Yours truly” is the closing for business letters. “Sincerely yours” is for social correspondence short of the love-and-kisses stage, or the more restrained “Fondly yours” or “Affectionately yours” for close friends and relatives.

Which would be suitable for a teacher depends on the content of the letter. If you are writing to demand a change in your grade, it should be businesslike; if you are expressing gratitude for intellectual enlightenment, the more personal declaration of sincerity would be warranted.

But Miss Manners is not quite so rigid as to exclude a burst of enthusiasm, such as “Gratefully yours,” in the latter case. And those for whom “sincerely” and “truly” are not chummy enough should feel free to toss in a “very” with either one.

What is the proper etiquette to join a conversation already in progress?

For example, at a social gathering, a couple of people are already having a conversation. Is it OK to approach the group and say “hello,” or do I approach the group and wait for them to acknowledge me?

When someone approaches my group conversation, I always acknowledge the person right away and share the topic we are discussing. Most of the time, I approach a group and say “hello,” but is this considered interrupting? A few times, I have walked up to a conversation and stood there and was never acknowledged.

Inserting oneself into a conversation in progress, does have its own etiquette. The newcomer must wait for a lull in the conversation, acting in the interim as if what is being said is both interesting and, even without the preamble, intelligible.

The established group is required to assume the opposite, namely that the newcomer does not know what is being said, and is therefore entitled to a brief, explanatory aside. At the next natural break, introductions can be made all around. While a group holding a conversation in a social gathering should welcome newcomers, Miss Manners warns that such will not always be the case.