ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend proposed to me at my best friend's wedding, and I am livid at him for thinking that I would like this type of proposal. It was such a distasteful idea on his part, because I am the type of person who hates to take away attention from people when it's their special day. My boyfriend did ask permission from my best ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first child. I broke the happy news to my best friend by telling her she would soon receive an invitation from them to their baby shower.

Instead of being excited and congratulatory, she huffed and said that expectant mothers were not supposed to throw themselves a shower. She ...Read more

Dear Annie: My mother is German, and my father is American. Growing up, I was raised with traditions from both cultures, but I have never felt fully part of either one.

Last Christmas, my mother made a traditional German dinner and invited several relatives. I tried to join the conversation, but my German is not fluent, and everyone kept ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have been with my wife for 17 years. We have three daughters. She doesn't work, doesn't have a driver's license, doesn't clean and rarely cooks. I often find myself so frustrated at her lack of commitment to the family that I drink and go to bed after I cook dinner.

I work 60 hours a week to provide for our family and am not ...Read more

I went on my fifth police ride-along this week. The first one was before I was elected, slightly on a whim. I put in for both the city police and the university police. The university emailed me back faster.

That day we patrolled the university land, much more expansive than I knew, even having worked there for years. The patrol officer mainly ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been married for 15 years, and we agree on most things except how to spend our free time. I love to travel. Even a long weekend in a new city makes me feel excited and alive. I enjoy planning the itinerary, trying local restaurants and coming home with stories and memories. My husband would rather stay home, ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: After a nearly 20-year marriage, my first husband, "Lloyd," told me his feelings for me had changed. He said we needed "some time apart," but he didn't want a divorce. He immediately went to a lawyer and executed a financial settlement for me, still insisting he wasn't going to file for divorce. Six weeks later, I bought a house and ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been going out with a guy for a few months. We aren't anything official yet, but my birthday is coming up, and he asked me what I want for my birthday. I said I wanted a surprise. When I said "surprise," I was thinking that he would take me to a cute restaurant or ask me what I've been wanting to do around New York City, ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We received a wedding invitation for a wedding from my husband's nephew and bride-to-be. The attire for the occasion is described as: "black tie optional. Elegant, coastal chic. We ask that men wear jackets."

It is clear what my husband should wear, but do you have a suggestion for me to fulfill "elegant, coastal chic"? The ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have been married to my husband for over 50 years. While we are physically unable to have sexual relations due to several health factors, I'm not missing it. Why? Because he has terrible hygiene practices and the biggest is not brushing his teeth enough. He has horrible halitosis now.

I can barely manage to travel short distances ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am living in total dysfunction with my daughter (32) and husband (75). I am retired and going on 76. My daughter will not work and is controlling my life. She has OCD and refuses medication. It's so bad that she has become completely dependent on me. She makes me drive her and yells at me while I do. If she doesn't get her way, she ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently went to the bank with my dad to finally separate our accounts. He opened my account for me when I was in high school, and now that I'm a working professional, I felt it was time to have full independence. During the process, the teller shared details about my account balance in front of him, which made me uncomfortable...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I enjoy going out with my women friends for lunch (just two of us). It is wonderful to get away from my house and my husband.

But recently, two of my friends have suggested that their husbands, and mine, join us. I hate this idea because I don't care to be around the husbands, and it would severely limit our conversation (I'...Read more

Dear Annie: My mom and I have always had a weird relationship. Throughout my childhood, I always considered us close, even when she moved hours away to the other side of the state when I was in middle school. We would talk regularly, and I would go see her for summer and winter breaks. When I graduated high school, I happily made the move to ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been married 31 years. We have a great marriage. We work from home, so we spend pretty much every minute together and enjoy each other's company so much that it isn't an issue. That said, I will also share that I'm a basement musician. It's my hobby. I play guitar and sing. In the past, I have appeared in bands as ...Read more