ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: During July 4th weekend, my 16-year-old daughter went up to her best friend's cabin. I was under the impression that her parents were going to drive my daughter and her friend there since it's a four-hour drive and both girls have had their licenses for only a few months. Instead, my daughter's friend drove her up to the cabin. ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: As women, it is not our job to salvage a man's ego when he cannot take "no" for an answer. Honestly, we need to make this point, and loudly: NO MEANS NO. If someone asks you on a date, it is perfectly OK to say, "That's very nice of you, but no, thank you."

It is then up to the other person to accept that answer -- not to ...Read more

Dear Annie: Recently, I had a major social misstep that has essentially pushed one of my best friends out of my life. During the week of my birthday, I had a mid-30s crisis; a string of bad memories from dating and bad luck with women hit me and put me in a very emotionally weakened state of mind. In front of this friend, I was reduced to what ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I moved into my apartment four months ago. While my sister, her son and I were moving things in, my new next-door neighbor introduced herself. She has since become intrusive. I am an introvert, and she knocks on my door wanting everything from plastic bags to cigarettes and alcohol. Every day since I moved here, she has been asking ...Read more

The following are classic definitions of success. Number them 1 to 10 -- No. 1 being the most important to you. And do feel free to add some of your own!

--Money.

--Job satisfaction.

--Self-expression.

--Helping others.

--Fame.

--Prestige.

--Personal fulfillment.

--Power.

--Comfort.

--Influence.

You'll notice that some of these are ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I consider myself to be a social person. I recently moved to a more rural area in an attempt to experience a new way of living. I think there's value in all different types of lifestyles, even those that are often seen as less glamorous. My new neighbors have made this town feel like home within a matter of weeks. Although it has...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a tiny house, so I enjoy hosting dinner parties al fresco in my backyard. I recently invited guests to dine when the weather was lovely, 75 degrees with a soft breeze.

During the first course, a bumblebee flew over the table and then moved on. One of my guests announced, "There are bees out here," picked up her plate, ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have a 34-year-old daughter who has lived with us all her life (except for maybe a year). She brought her freeloading boyfriend in. I had cancer at the time and they didn't even bother to do anything, so she ended up pregnant.

I kicked her boyfriend out of the house after finding out he couldn't even take her to the...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married 45 years, but over the last six months, we've had numerous fights about Facebook. I'm having issues with his addiction to social media and his constant posts and comments with people I don't know.

I get jealous about these interactions with women. He has never given me reason not to trust him, but I...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend of six months wants me to share my location with him, and I'm not so sure I want to do that. I know lots of families, friends and couples do this for safety, but I don't feel comfortable sharing this because I am a grown 35-year-old woman. I don't think anyone should be allowed to stalk my location. I told my ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am confused on the proper time to arrive at an event or social function, whether in private homes or public venues.

When attending an event like a concert, play, church service or something else in a public space, I understand the announced time is when the event starts, and that you should arrive early enough to be in your...Read more

Dear Annie: Most often a cheating husband or wife causes the divorce. Most would want to end their marriage after finding their partner cheated. And most people would advise the offended partner to leave.

This is most of what I read in people's letters and people's responses to you.

But it doesn't have to be like that. Actually, it can be one ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have just retired and want to spend the summer taking a long road trip from Florida to Alaska and back. I've dreamed about it all my life and finally have the time and money to do it.

My husband hates long road trips, and I don't want to take him. He would be miserable and make me miserable in the process. Further, he has a list of...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been struggling with anxiety for years now. As those who experience anxiety know, it ebbs and flows depending on a plethora of factors both in and out of my control. My anxious thoughts stem from a childhood with many unexpected and uncontrollable changes. As a result, feeling unsure or not being able to predict what's ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: For years, I have entertained and loved every moment of it. But lately, when having people over, they just spend time talking about restaurants they have been to and what a wonderful experience it was.

I am a good cook, school-trained, and take pride in what I serve. I am fed up with nobody making comments about what I have ...Read more