In a recent query to Miss Manners, a mother expressed her discontent regarding her son's new wife's decision to hyphenate her last name with that of her ex-husband. The mother feels this choice is inappropriate and disrespectful to her son, particularly since the wife has no children, which she believes makes the decision even more perplexing. Living in the same small town as her ex-husband adds to the mother's concern, as she worries about potential embarrassment for her son. Miss Manners acknowledges that while the choice is indeed unusual, the wife may have valid reasons for her decision, such as maintaining a professional identity linked to her previous name. She advises the mother to avoid bringing up her concerns with her son, suggesting that he may have already addressed the issue or simply chosen to ignore it. Miss Manners emphasizes the importance of discretion and supporting one's child without imposing personal opinions on their choices.