DEAR MISS MANNERS: I like unusual people -- eccentrics, scapegoats, difficult people. I always have. In the rare event that someone mistreats me, I distance myself; otherwise, I remain friends ...

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Two teachers at the school where I teach had babies. The school had separate baby showers for each of them, and I gave a gift at each shower. Neither one has offered any thanks ...

My manners taught me to be a generous host, and I believe we were, all the way to the end when I drove her to the airport. However, I feel like our generosity was taken advantage of.