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Friends Don't See Eye To Eye On Family Support

Life Advice / Sense & Sensitivity /

DEAR HARRIETTE: One of my closest friends recently tore me apart, citing the stark differences in our lifestyles and how we were raised. I come from an individualistic family where putting personal needs first is the norm, while she comes from a collectivist family where the emphasis is on the needs of the group. This contrast has created a ...Read more

They Want A Sidekick, Not A Co-Star

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: It would seem my soft-spoken and polite nature attracts big personalities with a desperate need for a sidekick. I can play the background character well, out of mannerly consideration for what seems to be a desire for affirmation.

Lately, however, I'm a bit exasperated with all this nonsense. Why shouldn't a fairly attractive...Read more

Mismatched Marriage Mindsets

Life Advice / Dear Annie /

Dear Annie: I'm having an issue with my partner of six years, "Alex." I love him deeply, and he's a truly amazing guy. But we have different views on marriage.

I've always dreamed of having a traditional wedding and starting a family. I think weddings are a beautiful way to show your commitment to each other. Alex, on the other hand, is ...Read more

Ask Amy: Sharing in-law unit causes problems

Life Advice / Ask Amy /

Dear Amy: We are having an issue with our daughter and son-in-law regarding the use of a guesthouse. They live a day’s drive from us, so when we visit we like to stay for several days. We try to visit at least monthly.

We decided to find a home that had a mother-in-law unit separate from the main house.

We helped (substantially) in the ...Read more

Relationship With Friend Flows Only One Direction

Life Advice / Dear Abby /

DEAR ABBY: I have a friend who talks nonstop. Honestly, I can put the phone down and go make a cup of tea, and she'll still be talking when I get back. I don't think she even takes a breath. I want to tell her she sometimes needs to ask questions or seek the opinions of others. How can I do this without hurting her feelings?

She has many good ...Read more

Shopper Judged For Simple Clothing Choices

Life Advice / Sense & Sensitivity /

DEAR HARRIETTE: Recently, I went to a high-end store wearing a simple dress, and I noticed that the sales lady did not seem eager to assist me. Despite politely requesting help, I was largely ignored while other customers who were dressed in more extravagant clothing were approached immediately. This experience made me feel like I was being ...Read more

Dinner Guest Stays On Phone All Evening

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I had a formal sit-down dinner for eight guests at my home. One guest was on her phone nearly the whole time -- texting and even watching live videos that her friends posted while others were trying to have a conversation.

She was away from the group, but the sounds were still audible. She arrived late and stayed by herself, ...Read more

Clashing Values With My In-Laws

Life Advice / Dear Annie /

Dear Annie: My daughter is the only grandchild, and my mother gives her a gift every time we see her. I've told her several times that we don't want to overwhelm our child (3 years old) with material things, that she has too many toys she doesn't play with. It's very important to my husband and I that our child values what she has. My mother ...Read more

Ask Amy: Adults’ anger leads to children’s tears

Life Advice / Ask Amy /

Dear Amy: My two sons are not speaking to one another, after a fight that occurred during Christmas two years ago.

The result is that my granddaughters don’t like their uncle and aunt. The three girls are 11, 9, and 6.

While sleeping overnight at my house last weekend, I told my granddaughters that I love both of my sons equally. They ...Read more

Longtime Friendship Entails Frequent Visits From Couple

Life Advice / Dear Abby /

DEAR ABBY: My husband is an outdoor enthusiast and has a group of guys he goes hunting with every year. One of them has started coming out west to vacation at our house twice a year and now has followed us to our warm-weather winter home.

When he stays at our place, we fix all the meals and he uses our washer, dryer and detergent for several ...Read more

Evgeny Skripnichenko/Dreamstime/TNS

Ask Anna: Understanding work crushes, keeping clothes on during sex and FWB gift etiquette

Life Advice / Dating Advice /

Dear Anna,

I (35-year-old man) struck up a friendly rapport with a lady (unsure of her age, but probably late 20s or early 30s) who works in my building. We find time to converse during breaks and even hung out at a few group events (trivia night, anyone?). On a whim, I invited her to grab coffee with me yesterday afternoon. She agreed, ...Read more

Single File: The Toss of a Coin

Life Advice / Single File /

Yes, singleness gives the power of being in charge of your life, but what about the sadness that we often feel? How do you explain it?

Being in total control of your life is the positive side of single life, but the flip side is there, too -- a sad, gnawing realization that you're on your own. Onlyness, I call it. But -- you suspected this was ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

Erika Ettin: Navigating exclusivity in dating

Life Advice / Dating Advice /

As a dating coach, I'm frequently asked questions about exclusivity in relationships — how to approach it, when to discuss it, and what to expect. I want to address two questions I got just today and offer some insights on how to handle these situations effectively.

Question 1: I’ve been seeing someone for two and a half months and found ...Read more

Family Unimpressed With Unemployed Boyfriend

Life Advice / Sense & Sensitivity /

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been dating my boyfriend for eight months, and I think he might be the one I want to marry. I am 32 years old, and it feels well past due. My family, however, doesn't approve of him at all. They believe he is unsuitable for me and have expressed their concerns about our relationship. He is unemployed currently, and I pay our...Read more

Telemarketers Don't Really Care How You're Doing

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I receive a lot of unwanted telephone calls from telemarketers and real estate buyers who are seeking to buy my house. Many of these callers start out by asking for me by name and then inquiring how I am doing.

Every once in a while, one of these callers turns out to be a recruiter instead of a telemarketer, so I wish to ...Read more

Giving Grandkids the Gift of Quality Time

Life Advice / Dear Annie /

Dear Annie: When my nephew was a toddler and his family visited, my mom (his grandmother) got big furniture boxes discarded from stores and made forts and tunnels in our large family room. She got down on the floor and played whatever character he chose her to be in this turf maze. She didn't care if she played a dinosaur or the Lone Ranger.

...Read more

Ask Amy: Young son worries about growing up

Life Advice / Ask Amy /

Dear Amy: My husband and I have a very sweet 8-year-old son. His dad and I adore him. We’re having a great time going through life together.

Recently he has been emotional and sensitive. He has said several times that he doesn’t want to grow up. When I ask him why, he says he’ll miss all of the things we do together, like reading together...Read more

Son's New Playmate Resides In A Home With Sex Offender

Life Advice / Dear Abby /

DEAR ABBY: We recently moved to a new neighborhood. My 8-year-old son, "Joey," has become best friends with a classmate, "Paul," who lives on our street. We know from research we did when we bought our house that Paul's stepfather, with whom he lives, is a sex offender who committed crimes against children and served time in prison.

Paul has ...Read more

Cool Girl Takes Advantage Of Nerdy Guy

Life Advice / Sense & Sensitivity /

DEAR HARRIETTE: There is a concerning situation involving a boy I know who is intelligent but not considered cool by his peers -- he' a nerd. The girl he likes has been using him for her personal gain, manipulating him into doing her assignments and projects. Despite my attempts to warn him about her intentions, he does not seem to heed my ...Read more

Should I Attend A Ceremony That I Can't Fully Hear?

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have nine beautiful grandchildren, and beginning this year, I will attend high school graduations for the next several consecutive years. My issue is that I am so hard of hearing that I cannot understand the speakers at these ceremonies.

For me, it is as though the speeches are in a foreign language. I applaud when others ...Read more