Ask Amy: Friend worries about pandemic’s toxic effect
Your advice?
– Torn
Dear Torn: I think you should reach out, one more time – in a neutral and benign way, along the lines of: “Hi, I’m checking in. I’ve been wondering how you’re doing lately.”
If she responds with a toxic multi-directional rant, you could reply, “I realize this is tough; I’m sorry.”
If she responds with a personal attack on you, you should not respond, back away, and be done with your personal involvement.
If a mutual acquaintance reaches out with concerns about her, you might suggest that the person reach out directly to “Gerry,” instead of involving you.
Dear Amy: Is dating/going out with more than one person at a time passe?
You recently printed a letter from someone who is attracted to someone close (geographically) who is in a “long-distance” relationship with someone else. While I have no quibble with your response as to how to go about exploring the possibility of establishing a closer relationship, is it possible for the person at the center of this triangle to have a relationship (of whatever degree) with both people without feeling guilty?
Perhaps it was just the times I grew up in, the ’50s and ’60s, but there was certainly no problem, on either side, if I and/or the girls I was dating were each seeing more than just one person.
At times I was going out with three or four girls simultaneously.
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