ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just found out my friend is dating a guy I slept with a couple of years ago back in college. None of my friends knew; it was a one-night stand, and I was too ashamed to tell them a secret that I thought would never resurface. Now, two years later, one of my best friends is seriously dating the guy. They've been going steady for...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I volunteer at a center that provides free tax prep for seniors. I am the greeter, and am really tired of people's arrogant and rude behavior to me.

I have received rude and nasty remarks from way too many clients. And this year, I've been told, "Get on your feet, honey," and "This is women's work" when asking people to fill ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have one daughter, and family has always been important to us. She has several cousins around her age, and we've always hoped they would grow up close. Over the years, we've been the ones reaching out to make plans, but the effort is rarely reciprocated.

I don't believe anyone is intentionally trying to hurt our ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: After a four-year battle with cancer, my husband of 27 years passed away. After his death, I was contacted by a guy I had been involved with 40 years before. He said he wanted me to know that he was there for me if I needed to talk or just needed some company. I told him how much I appreciated it and I would call if I felt he could ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a gay man who's been in a relationship for two and a half years. My partner is definitely a great match for me. He recently asked to meet my parents, expressing his desire to get to know my family and roots a little more. I appreciate his interest in my background, as I think it indicates that we are moving onto the next ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a very good friend who has decided to propose to his partner, and I am absolutely thrilled for the couple!

He is very well off, so price was not much of a consideration when it came to selecting the ring. However, he has never had much of an eye for jewelry, so he enlisted my help. I have years of experience working in...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm a recent college grad, and I've always wanted to be a writer like you. I've applied to more jobs than I can count at newspapers and magazines but haven't landed a single offer. Everyone keeps saying "the job market is tough right now," but knowing that doesn't pay rent. I still live with my parents, and I'm dying to get my own ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married for 11 years and have two children. When we met, he worked two union jobs, paid his bills, saved his money and took care of his mother and grandmother when they needed his financial support. About six years ago, he decided he didn't want to work with the union anymore, and I supported him in ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I think my sister hates me. I'm in college right now, and my sister just finished her freshman year of high school. When I was away from home, she made new friends and started getting into trouble. A few months ago, she ran out of a gas station with a case of alcohol and was chased by the police. Luckily, the cops felt bad ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have been dating a wonderful man for a couple of years. He has generously given me several gifts, but I have found most of them to be kitschy and I don't really want them in my house. I'm trying to minimalize my home environment, and I'm getting rid of things instead of adding more. I have displayed some of his gifts in my ...Read more

Dear Annie: My mom and I have always been close. I'm 35 now, but we talk almost every day, even though she's in Virginia, where I grew up, and I moved to Washington state after college. We make an effort to see each other as much as possible, but of course, it's never enough.

Recently, a work trip brought her to San Francisco, but I didn't ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend, "Adam," and I have been together for four years. We are very much in love and share similar views on most things. We agree that a marriage license is just a piece of paper and our relationship is already a marriage, so we don't need one.

We have also discussed the idea of having children in the future, and we agreed we ...Read more

On every page of your daily calendar, write the following: "If it's 7 p.m. and I'm still at my desk, go home!" Write the same message on slips of red paper tucked into your purse or wallet -- and any other place they'll be noticed. But writing notes is one thing; following through is what takes guts.

Carve out time in your daily routine for ...Read more