ArcaMax

DEAR ABBY: I find myself increasingly less patient with my oldest brother and older sister. They lie incessantly about things they have accomplished, always making themselves out to be the best. It frustrates me to hear them say things that are not true.

For example, while dining in a restaurant, my brother told a group of guys that he was a ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: One of my good friends has retreated completely. Last year her best friend passed away, and I think that loss is taking a major toll on her. At first, she was holding up all right, but now she doesn't really respond to me or any other friends. I don't think she's active physically or socially, aside from work. I know grief can be...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a few old friends scattered around the country who will only talk on the phone if they're actively doing something else. This leads to a variety of acoustic challenges: wind or traffic noise, transactions with shopkeepers, dishes banging, etc.

One of my oldest friends even says, when I call, "Wait, I'll put on my ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have noticed things missing in my house. After visiting my daughter's house, I have noticed some of these things at her house. For example, a bracelet that I had been looking for, for months, as well as a coffee mug and a small decorative vase.

How should I go about this? Her boyfriend, who I never trusted, lives with her. I ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have been married for 47 years. My wife has suffered from mental illness for more than half our marriage. Two years ago, she went off her medication, became manic for 10 months and was hospitalized four times. A few months later, it was discovered she had breast cancer. Fortunately, it was detected early. After surgery and radiation...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: Today I saw and smelled someone smoking crack on a subway platform near to where I was standing. I was stunned. I know it happens all around my city -- in theory -- but I've never truly witnessed it in real time, only the aftereffects of it. What could I have done in that moment to help that situation? The subway platform was ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I ran into an unexpected soup situation.

My sister flew cross-country to visit my mom and me, and my mom spent hours making a delicious soup so my sister would have a hot meal ready when she arrived. My mom is a great cook.

Unfortunately, as we all sat down to eat, we noticed that a small brush, used for cleaning bottle ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've known my friend "Ella" for over 50 years. In the last few years, for whatever reason, she only wants to communicate with me via texting. She has no medical or mental issues. I just saw her at her sister's funeral.

I've told her that I don't wish to communicate through texting only. I keep asking her why we just can't talk on ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: This year was our high school class's 50th reunion. My husband and I graduated together from the same school. We have attended every reunion, and at each one of them received the same reactions from classmates. They always talk to my husband, shake his hand or hug him, but look at my name tag and photo and ignore me like they did in ...Read more

I read in women's letters the signs of their struggle to find an answer to their quandary. The feeders of the race, the gender asked to nurture those around them, women today are asking for -- no, insisting on -- emotional reciprocity. At the same time they confide in me their fears, they insist they will not settle for less than partnership in ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've always admired public speakers. I have a desire to sit on a panel and share my thoughts, but a part of me struggles with courage, and another part of me questions the authenticity of this desire. Is it OK to aspire to be a speaker, or is that a role that should be granted to someone based on their professional or academic ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: The office where I work has about 20 people, half working in person and half remote. A young woman early in her career, who works remotely and is on several of the regular video calls I attend each week, is friendly and goes out of her way to say nice things to people. She is always the first to notice a new haircut or pair of...Read more

Dear Annie: From the time I was in second grade, I knew I wanted to be a writer. But everyone around me insisted it was a terrible idea. So, I chose the "safe" path and became a teacher, spending two years in a high school English classroom before transitioning to a role as a school librarian.

I also married a man I believed was the love of ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm a gay man living in a predominantly straight community. About a year ago, a married couple moved in. One day, the husband asked me to come over and help him put a table together, which I did. He thanked me by opening a bottle of wine. Then he asked me what turns me on. I thought the question was unusual, but I didn't hold back -- ...Read more