DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife clips her fingernails in various places, including in the car. The locations I want to ask about are the dining room table and the kitchen island.

Though she tries to be careful and does not clip at mealtime or food preparation time, periodically I will find the odd clipping that got away.

Is her habit OK? If so, I will not bother to broach the subject.

GENTLE READER: If it is not OK with you, then it is not OK. Just be sure that you tell your wife politely.

Miss Manners is curious why your wife seems to have picked every location except the bathroom to trim her nails.

No doubt you have suggested it, but perhaps it is worth mentioning again — along with a present of a tiny brush and dustpan. Because even in the bathroom, nail clippings are unsightly. And distinctively painful when stepped on.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, [email protected]; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.