ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I want to pursue a bachelor's degree. I know what you're thinking: Go for it. The catch is, I've been down this road before -- a few times. The first few times I went to college were at my parents' behest. Based on how many times I changed my major and my lack of effort, I'd say I wasn't particularly ready at the time. Now that I...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I know a few people who define everyone by their weight. Now, these people aren't perfect themselves, but their imperfections aren't as readily apparent as being fat. No imperfection is as apparent as that!

It drives me nuts when they describe someone as "chubby" or "fat" when no physical description is even necessary. One of...Read more

Dear Annie: I have a friend I've known for more than 30 years. He is a good person, loyal and generous, and we share a lot of history. The problem is that he has absolutely no sense of when he has lost a room.

At dinner parties, he can take over the entire conversation with a story that lasts 15 or 20 minutes. And these are not short, lively ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My father passed away three months ago, leaving my mom alone for the first time in her life. She lives nearby, so my wife and I have been doing what we can. We have her over several times a week, and we visit and call to check in often.

Mom is having a hard time and sometimes forgets to eat or get dressed if we don't remind her. ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My teenage daughter broke up with her first boyfriend, and she's having a tough time getting over him. It's been almost a year, and she still talks about him incessantly and says he was the love of her life. I have told her many times that she is 16 years old, and she has so much time to meet other people who will love her more. ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A number of my friends have gone back to school for graduate degrees, while I and a few others continue to work.

When we all worked, we had similar financial means and were able to plan events far in advance. We went to the theater, had dinner at home or out, had parties and so forth.

I was prepared for my friends to be in ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have been married for 45 years to a man who has never wanted much adventure in his life. His idea of a big night out is taking a short drive, finding a supper club, eating dinner and coming straight home so he can settle into his recliner.

For years, I begged him to travel with me. I wanted to see new places, experience ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I respectfully disagree with your response to "Woman's wedding has been hijacked." These mothers have no business trying to co-opt the bridal couple's wedding. If the daughter gives in, it's only the beginning of these two mothers trying to strong-arm themselves into trying to make future decisions for this poor couple.

The couple ...Read more

Some weeks have themes. The theme for my week was authenticity. I had to make choices about what it meant to live an authentic life, and unfortunately, someone who embodied it better than almost anyone else went to rest this week.

The doomscrolling looked more positive, if only because it was filled with tributes to Dolly Parton. More than ...Read more

Dear Annie: I feel a little silly even writing this because my mother is a wonderful grandmother. She absolutely adores my children, and they adore her. But lately, I've started to feel like she is much more interested in being their grandmother than in being my mother.

A few weeks ago, I called and asked if she wanted to meet me for lunch. I...Read more

DEAR ABBY: One year ago, I convinced my daughter (64) to move here to Florida to be closer to me. I bought her a small mobile home to live in, and I don't charge her any rent. Before she moved down here from Minnesota, she agreed to pay the lot rent and her own utilities.

Recently, she met a man and fell in love. She has been single and self-...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 16-year-old daughter is determined to completely isolate herself. She says she doesn't want any friends, so she acts very mean and disinterested in other kids at school and extracurricular activities. At home, she likes to stay in her room and read so she can avoid spending time with the family. It makes me so sad, because I'm...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I attended my high school reunion about 10 years ago, and while standing in line at the buffet, a former classmate told me, "Gee, you look a lot better than you did in high school."

I believe my response was "Thanks ... I think." Later this year, I will be attending another reunion, and am seeking your advice on an ...Read more

Dear Annie: Seven years ago, I retired and moved to a different state.

A friend of mine who lives in my old town has continuously used my new house like her personal hotel. She has family and friends in my area and will text, "Are you open to company?" when she wants to come visit. When she does, she only sleeps at my house while she does ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am at my wits' end with "Barney," my husband of 35 years. He retired two years ago, but I am still working and likely will for several more years. I've worked from home successfully since long before the COVID-19 pandemic, which was fine while Barney was working. When he retired, I talked to him about respecting boundaries during ...Read more