Life Advice

/

Health

Woman's platonic friend doesn't understand 'no'

By Amy Dickinson, Tribune Content Agency on

Dear Amy: I have a friend, "Shelly," with whom I have had a warm relationship for many years. We met more than two decades ago when we were both engaged to our future-husbands, who were friends.

Over the years, we drifted apart, but always reconnected quickly the few times we ran into each other. We both had tragic illnesses in our respective families, so we could relate to each other's struggles.

A couple of years ago Shelly's husband died, leaving her with four school-age children and few financial resources.

Because of my own health issues, I have not been in touch (other than through a condolence card) since she was widowed, but I think of her and her children often.

This past Christmas, I expressed that sentiment in a card to her and included a $100 gift card to a popular family steakhouse in her area, adding that I hoped that she and her family could use it for a fun dinner outing. My husband, "Brent," personally handed the card to her after a Christmas party that I was unable to attend.

Without opening the card, she said that she was going to call me to catch up on things. That was weeks ago, and I have heard nothing from her.

Do you think that my gift offended her? Her silence makes me wonder if I did something wrong.

-- Wondering

Dear Wondering: The last time I gave someone a gift card contained in another card, I experienced some pretty major anxiety about it, because giving a gift card is like enclosing a $100 bill -- you can't know for sure if it has been received, spent or redeemed, unless the recipient tells you. I've received Christmas cards at busy times that I've put in my backpack and forgotten to open until Easter.

 

You should contact her. Cop to your own anxiety. Say, "This is awkward, but Brent assured me that he handed you a card at the Christmas party. I'm a little nervous because I had enclosed a gift card, and I just want to make sure that Brent did get it to you. If so, great. And I'm very eager to catch up. I think about you and the kids so often and regret that I haven't been in closer touch. That's on me, and I'd like to remedy that."

You should not automatically assume that your gift has offended her, but if it has, her response to your contact should clue you in.

Dear Amy: "Horrified" taught an adult education class. One of the students insulted another. You suggested that the teacher confront the perpetrator privately. Amy, no! The teacher should contact the school's dean or administration, and turn this over to them.

-- Fellow Teacher

Dear Teacher: I've heard from many teachers who suggest a variety of responses, across the board. Mainly, this is a teachable moment, and the teacher should definitely deal with it.

========

(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Amy Dickinson, c/o Tribune Content Agency, 16650 Westgrove Drive, Suite 175, Addison, Texas, 75001. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)


 

 

Comics

Rick McKee Steve Kelley RJ Matson Marshall Ramsey Peanuts John Cole