ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just got a new job, and it's a lot of fun and even more responsibility than I previously had. My boss is cool and we often work long hours together, including going to tons of social functions. My boss doesn't drink, but I do. She says it's OK if I drink, but I realize it's a little tricky. The other day, we were out super late...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Long ago, when one was sick, friends and acquaintances would bring over soup or a casserole; offer to straighten up, and even do laundry; take care of your children for a few hours so you could rest; let you know that they were praying for you, etc.

What happened? Today, getting sick is treated as some kind of moral failure, ...Read more

Dear Annie: My fiance and I are getting married next spring, and my parents generously offered to help pay for the cost of the wedding. We were thrilled. Weddings are expensive, and money is tight.

But I quickly realized that this might actually be a mistake. Their contributions come with strings attached, and my mother seems to think this is...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a widow who lost my husband 15 years ago. When my husband died, we had a daughter and one grandson. My daughter, a single mom, later had another son.

I have my own business and have worked hard these many years to help support my daughter, who is financially irresponsible. She has been evicted four times in the past 10 years, ...Read more

Sex being a clear barometer of relatedness between partners (i.e., the state of their entire relationship), let's you and I look at the positive side of the concept. The bedroom seems (to me, at least) to be an ideal setting for broadcasting one's appreciation for his or her partner's tender loving care in the rest of their shared life. Sadly, ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend owes me $8,000 and hasn't been able to pay me back for a year. I have been asking her for so long, and every response I get is her telling me she will have it for me "soon." I loaned this money to her a year ago, and she moved to the state I am also located in. She used the money for her security deposit, first month's ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My lovely sister, Grace, married a man who is difficult. Keith is loud, often inebriated, and quick to anger. So much so, that after a misunderstanding at Grace and Keith's wedding rehearsal dinner, harsh words were screamed, and Keith challenged my husband, Jason, to a fistfight.

He issued a pretty weak apology, and for my ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have been divorced for three years and share custody of my two children, ages 10 and 13. My ex-husband remarried about a year ago, and his wife is kind, involved and genuinely seems to care about my children. I know that is something to be grateful for.

The problem is that lately I feel as though she is trying to become their ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband, "Dirk," cheated on me more than 20 years ago. He has kept in touch with the woman since then. Sixteen months ago, she told him she was "in a bad place." He offered to let this (married) woman move in with us and didn't tell me until two weeks before she got here.

Abby, this woman lives like a pig. Her room is filthy, and ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel like I wasted my whole life putting my husband's and children's needs in front of my own. I didn't accomplish the things that young me set out to do. I am now 63 years old and disappointed that I let the idea that I had to have a family put me into a situation where I now am dissatisfied with the way I lived my life. I ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I work in a public middle school and am a licensed teacher. It is a matter of course that adults refer to each other as Mr. or Mrs. Smith, especially in front of students or when referring to adults in their conversation with students.

My issue is with an aide, who continually addresses me by my first name in front of ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have a close friend I have known for more than 20 years. We have been through marriages, children, job changes and plenty of ups and downs together. I love her and consider her almost like family.

Lately, though, I have started to notice that our friendship feels very one-sided. I am usually the one who calls, makes plans and ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My mom died of extreme old age recently. She was a sweet woman everyone loved. I sent invitations to her memorial, and I'm getting a lot of excuses for why my friends can't attend. I am upset.

In my circle of friends (all similar ages), I was the last to graduate, get a career job, start a relationship, buy a house, be married and so...Read more