ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: For the first time in a long time, I am in a steady romantic relationship. I haven't done much dating since my last relationship four years ago. I've been dating this current guy for three months. At first, I was a bit skeptical, but I have since warmed up to him, so much so that my friends have noticed an undeniable difference ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I know the etiquette of the host paying for the event, not the guest. Which is great. However, in my wide circle of friends, we do things differently. We often eat potluck, though when one of us does provide the meal, we provide all of it at our own cost. Guest will usually bring wine to share, or maybe a homemade dessert if ...Read more

Dear Annie: I recently turned 27 and feel as if life is just passing me by. I try so many different things to find career opportunities and to meet other people but nothing leads to anything, and I am always stuck back at square one.

It seems like nobody ever gives me a chance (social and economic). Is there a way to move on in life without ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: A few years ago, I started receiving mysterious phone calls from a man claiming to have in his possession videos of me performing sexual acts. I do not know where he would have gotten something like that. I changed my phone number, but somehow he got my new number and started harassing me again.

After a while, the phone calls stopped...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just threw a birthday party for my daughter. She's turning 11, and I invited a few of her friends and our family to celebrate her at a "Moana"-themed party. The party was held at my mother-in-law's house, which irritated my mother, who said she feels uncomfortable going to my children's other grandma's house. I explained to her...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I accepted an invitation to a party for a friend's husband at their home. It hadn't occurred to me to bring a gift -- most likely I would have simply brought a nice card and a bottle of wine.

A few days before the party, I was surprised to receive this message: "Some of you have asked about gifts -- and truly, your presence ...Read more

ATTENTION "DEAR ANNIE" EDITORS: ANNIE LANE IS OFF TODAY. THE FOLLOWING COLUMN WAS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED IN 2018. THANK YOU. -- CREATORS

Gift Gaffe

Dear Annie: On a yearly basis, my employer recognizes employees who have dedicated 10, 15, 20, etc. years of service as well as individuals who are retiring. These employees have their names published...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a 54-year-old woman who, after 40 years, reconnected with my childhood best friend, "Neil." We are now engaged. I have no children, but Neil has two girls ages 11 and 13. The 11-year-old is in therapy and on medication for depression and anxiety. I love them as if they were my own. Their mother is useless and irresponsible, and ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a nanny, and I lost track of the child I was watching while we were in the library. I told the parents about it because I wanted to be transparent, and they fired me. They said this incident made them lose trust in me and my capabilities to watch their child. It has been hard to find another nanny job, because they won't ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: If I am late to a doctor's appointment, I may not get to see the doctor at all, but I will still be charged for having missed the appointment. But if I get there on time, I usually have to cool my heels for a long time -- sometimes for close to an hour -- before the doctor will see me.

Yes, I've complained. I get one of two ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I are in our 70s, and he is experiencing depression from lack of contact with his children. I don't mean Facebook, because he sees them on there. They do not call like they did in the past. I am sure they feel that since he can actually see them on the screen, he knows what they are up to and what they are doing. Thus,...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My youngest son is getting married this spring, and they have decided they want a child-free wedding reception. We have three grandchildren, ages 3 to 7. The wedding is where my son and his fiancee live, so we are all traveling. They have asked all three kids to be in the wedding party as flower girls and the ring bearer, but ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I are in our early 60s, married for 40-plus years. We plan to retire and travel soon. But the past year or so he seemed to become obsessed with his smartphone, holding his phone all the time and guarding it. I asked him if he had a Facebook account and he said no. But when I entered his cell number in the Facebook ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am writing for advice on how to be supportive of my adult children in light of an alleged crime committed by their mother. She was arrested for first-degree murder. The victim was my children's younger half-sibling.

I am especially challenged dealing with my daughter. She is supporting her mother in this. She says she has already ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a college student in New York City, and I work part-time for a beauty store that carries dozens of brands. A brand owner and CEO came into my boutique the other day and spoke with both me and my manager. I jokingly told the owner that if he ever needs a marketing intern to let me know, and we exchanged information. When he ...Read more