Young woman should be taught timeless skills
I hope you will continue to approach this with patience. If you are able to bring her along, it could have a profound impact on her.
Dear Amy: A dear friend recently passed away, leaving a very unworldly 32-year-old daughter with a great deal of money and property.
Until he was very sick, she was unwilling to be friendly toward me. After his death I brought her to our home, a five-hour drive away. The idea was to get some peace in the area where I live.
I paid for everything: gas, tolls and food. It never once occurred to her to offer any financial help or to pay for a meal.
She only wanted to shop (over an hour away) where, again, it was my money for gas, my driving, etc. (I am 68). There was no gratitude expressed for any of my trouble.
I invited her again, four months later. The same situation prevailed. No offer to help with expenses. Basically, a demand to shop, followed by no "thank you."
I am incensed. This time, when she got home, I texted, "I think there is a little phrase missing: 'thank you.'" She responded, "Oh, I thought I said it. Thank you." She has shown no gratitude or willingness to pay the others who give her rides (she doesn't drive), or who helped her through her father's illness!
I'm done, but I'm on the fence about whether I should write her to set her straight about gratitude and how much a "thank you" means.
What do you think?
-- Incensed
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