College student resents parental interference
Dear Disrespected: If you want to feel respected, then it would help if you would first be respectful.
You think it is false to feign interest when the conversation takes a boring turn, but your inability to glean even nuggets of interest from others says everything about you.
I'm with your wife on this one. Being engaged and polite is the definition of being a "good guest." Good manners are not generational; they are timeless and lovely and help forge connection between human beings. You seem very limited on this score.
I feel somewhat sorry for the people who have to spend an evening with you, knowing that you are bored. Because bored people are also boring. Your hosts are probably too polite to convey this to you.
Dear Amy: Thank you for inspiring your readers to donate to charities. However, I feel it is important to note that many of these charities sell their mailing lists for oodles of money, and you will receive phone calls all year.
-- Tired of It
Dear Tired: It is vital to do your own independent research before donating to a charity. Charities disclose whether they sell their lists, and often give you an "opt out" option.
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(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Amy Dickinson, c/o Tribune Content Agency, LLC., 16650 Westgrove Dr., Suite 175, Addison, TX 75001. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)
