Ask Amy: Handyman's attitude isn't much of a fix
My son (who quit smoking last year) said that when he's around me I smell like an ashtray! Help! Both my husband and I have quite a few health problems.
I've talked with him about this numerous times!
What do you or your readers suggest?
-- Smoked Out
Dear Smoked Out: Your husband's smoking has created a significant health risk for both of you. You've "talked with him numerous times." Instead of talking, you should absolutely insist - every single day - that he not smoke inside the house. You should make it too uncomfortable for your husband to smoke inside, and basically bug him enough to send him onto the porch.
Your son (the former smoker) should back you up on this.
Your husband has options for imbibing in his deadly habit - he can smoke outside. If he continues to smoke inside, your exposure to secondhand toxins might seriously limit your options.
Dear Amy: You nailed it in the last paragraph of your response to "Not Trying to be a B." A CEO I once worked for used to say, "If you're not exceeding your authority, you're not doing your job."
-- Been There
Dear Been There: "B" was openly demonstrating her creativity and ambition. I told her that some CEOs appreciate that - because it reminds them of themselves.
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(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
