Son's delirium causes unexpected hurt
What should I do?
-- Cheated Upon?
Dear Cheated Upon: You are new to this. You cannot police women you have known for a relatively short time and declare that laughing with a guy in a bar, or walking with a guy through a mall is cheating. The assumptions you are making, and your behavior concerning these women, reveals how inexperienced you are. Dating is a process of getting to know someone, and communicating your various needs and expectations. Unless you and someone you're seeing mutually decide that you are "exclusive," you're not. Seeing other people under these circumstances is not cheating. You need to get a handle on your jealousy.
Dear Amy: "Lost and Sad" reported having "lost" their father. It wasn't until I read the full letter that I understood that the father wasn't "lost," but dead! Why can't people talk plainly about death?
-- Plain Talker
Dear Talker: People use many different euphemisms when referring to death. These indirect expressions -- "lost," "late," "passed" -- all imply that the beloved person is more or less waiting in another room. And for bereaved people, that's how it feels. Let it be.
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(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: Askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)
