ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: My closest cousin recently passed away due to her age. It was a big shock to the entire family. Growing up, she always made me feel welcomed on her side of the family, took time to show me around our city and even helped me move into college. She was more than just a cousin; she was a true friend and confidante. We often spoke ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was in a medical office waiting room while my husband was having a test done. I was the only one sitting in the waiting room initially, until another person arrived. She had her cellphone on, and was watching a program when she walked in the facility. No one was at the front desk at the time of her arrival.

The volume was ...Read more

Dear Annie: I don't know where to start. It has been six years since our youngest daughter, "Emily," has been close to us.

The problem started when our oldest daughter and her cousin were in the kitchen talking about Emily when Emily walked by. She obviously was concerned that they were talking about her. We were just getting ready to eat our ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I invited a friend, "Sybil," to dinner at a fine dining, special occasion restaurant to celebrate her birthday. About a month before, I called to say I had also asked someone else to join us, as it was also her birthday. I thought the three of us would have fun, as we rarely go to fine dining establishments.

I was the host, so I said...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend recently caught me talking badly about her, and I feel awful. We were at dinner, and she had walked away; I was facing away from the bathroom, and when she was walking back over, she overheard me say that an outfit didn't suit her body well and she didn't look good. Hearing those comments from a friend must have been ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Do you have a suitable answer to those who say to me, an older woman, "You must have been attractive when you were young," or after looking at an earlier photo, "Is that you?"

I also feel uncomfortable when being referred to as a "young lady" or a "girl," and being told I'm "X years young," or being asked "How old are you?"

...Read more

Dear Annie: Eight years ago, it felt like I had a mental breakdown trying to deal with all the clutter coming in our house. I told this to my wife, but her reply was to justify why she needed everything.

Meanwhile, my frustration turned from anger to rage, and I started throwing things and shouting at her and not understanding how attached she ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My father passed away and left me a large sum of money. One of the first things I did was pay off my husband's debts totaling over $140,000. I also paid off my vehicle. I also paid $600,000 in cash for the home we live in.

For Christmas, I want to give each of my three adult children $10,000 from me and their grandfather. My husband ...Read more

Dear Annie: I recently found a pair of earrings missing from my jewelry box. These earrings had belonged to my mother. My sister-in-law spoke of wanting them and felt (for some unknown reason that she herself could not express) that she deserved them. I have no proof that she took them. I don't even know how long they've been missing.

What ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My dear friend has had a bit of a spiritual awakening over the past year or so. I love seeing them committed to their faith, but what comes with their newfound spirituality is preaching their gospel. I have been religious all my life, committed to my own religion. So now when my friend talks to me about his faith, it feels more ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My sister's hardwood floors were being refinished, so I said it was fine for her to sleep on my sofa bed in my one-bedroom apartment for four nights. Knowing that she is VERY SENSITIVE to noise, I reminded her to bring her earplugs.

Around 10:15 p.m., she told me that she heard my TV (I already had the volume much lower than ...Read more

Dear Annie: My son recently got married. My new daughter-in-law used to dress so cute. She always had makeup on and her hair done. But nowadays, she dresses like a slob. There are days I swear she doesn't brush her hair. She's told me herself that her mom has said to her, "What's wrong with you? Since you got married, you've let yourself go," ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: At the company where I work, multiple departments share a workspace. While most of my colleagues are quiet and considerate, certain members of one department are very loud. They talk nonstop (nothing work-related) and have no consideration for others who are trying to work and concentrate. It has reached the point that it is next to ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I spend a lot of time at my boyfriend's family home, and I've always felt comfortable there. I've known him and his siblings for years, so being around his family feels natural. Recently, while we were all spending time together, my boyfriend stepped away for a bit, and his mom pulled me aside in the kitchen. She told me how much...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I believe what I buy at the grocery store is my own business, whether it's carrots and onions or products whose purpose would be embarrassing if explained. I wish supermarkets would train their staff not to comment on customer purchases, no matter how benign the sentiment. ("Oh, I like those cookies!")

Questions about ...Read more