College student resents parental interference
Please understand, however, that their choice to "refuse" to let you take out loans is a huge, life-altering gift to you. Many people would be eager to put up with parental control to get such a good deal.
When you graduate, you can live your life debt-free and use that economic freedom to create the life you want to live. I hope you'll remember to thank them.
In the meantime, because you don't like the control they exert over you while you are home on college breaks, then you might want to get a job in the town where your college is located and stay there over the summer.
Dear Amy: I am a man in my 60s, married to a wonderful woman.
The problem is, I feel she is often judging me. For example, each year we are invited to her friend's house for Christmas dinner together with three or four other couples, and I often find the conversation boring and ponderous (they are all eight to 12 years older).
I enjoy a good, stimulating conversation and can hold my own when I'm interested and engaged, but I find these discussions boring and don't hide it.
My wife thinks I'm being rude and that I should try to be a "good guest" with "good manners."
I think it's false for me to plaster a smile on my face and pretend to be interested when I'm not. And I resent her judgmental attitude; I wish she would accept me for who I am.
Is the concept of "good manners" a generational thing? Your advice?
-- Feeling Disrespected in California
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