Life Advice
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Student Home From Studying Abroad Misses Whirlwind Romance
DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently returned to the United States after studying abroad, and I have a whirlwind of emotions following my departure from the city that became my temporary home. I am sad to leave the friends I made from all over the world, and I'm also leaving behind a guy I connected with.
During my time abroad, I met an incredible guy ...Read more
Longtime Friends Lose Minds Over Canceled Dinner Plans
DEAR MISS MANNERS: We were scheduled to have dinner with two friends at the tail end of a fun week -- several days of entertainments, parties, drinking and late nights. When the day of our dinner date came up, my wife and I were so miserable that we had to cancel our dinner plans. Eating another bite of food was the last thing we wanted to -- or...Read more
Sisterly Snag: A Party Predicament
Dear Annie: My sister "Emily" and I were planning a joint celebration for our parents' 40th wedding anniversary, but we've hit a snag. Emily wants to host a large party with all of our extended family and friends, but I think that a more intimate gathering would be more special and less stressful for our parents. They are both pretty reserved,...Read more
Ask Amy: Elder couple is isolated post-pandemic
Dear Amy: My husband and I, along with a lot of other people our age, have not been able to recover from the pandemic. We are both active 75-year-olds and have been married 55 years.
It seems like everyone’s forgotten that most people over 65 are retired and have no young children. They don’t have jobs and colleagues to return to. They don�...Read more
Widowed Spouse Makes Plea To All Living Partners
DEAR ABBY: Today I ironed and folded my late husband's lucky fishing shirt and placed it into a box going to Goodwill. Continuing with the task, I matched up 14 pairs of my good merino wool socks, most of which had been gifts from him in times that were not so flush. After three months, I have finally moved the box containing his ashes from the ...Read more
Lonely Wife Wants To Reconnect With Husband
DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel like I'm drowning in my empty home. My kids have all grown up and moved out, leaving a quiet house behind. My husband seems to be married to his work and spends more time at the office than at home. With everyone gone, all I have left is our puppy. I adore our furry friend, but obviously, he doesn't speak the same language...Read more
Let 'mistaken' Be Office-Speak For 'lying Liar Who Lies'
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a co-worker who consistently spreads misinformation in order to get out of doing her job. She often makes up policies that don't exist to try to trick other departments into doing her work (even when that means the work gets done incorrectly by people not trained for it).
In the past, I've tried printing out policies ...Read more
Bridging Distance in Busy Marriage
Dear Annie: I've been happily married for over 12 years, but lately, I've noticed a growing distance between my husband "Bryan" and me. He's always been a bit of a workaholic, but it's gotten to the point where even on weekends, he's either at the office or on his phone dealing with work-related issues. We used to enjoy things like hiking and ...Read more
Ask Amy: Parents house violent and irrational son
Dear Amy: After a very difficult divorce and a few years single, I married a wonderful partner last year. He brought his 20-year-old son into the marriage.
Since arriving at my home, the son’s prospects have devolved. He quit college. He lost his job. He now sits in his room all day. When he runs out of funds for nicotine or marijuana, he ...Read more
Gifts Given By In-Law Look Awfully Familiar
DEAR ABBY: I recently married "John," the love of my life. I have a great relationship with my mother-in-law, "Sarah." She and my father-in-law are retired and well-off financially. For each special occasion, John and I thoughtfully select gifts for his parents, and we have spent extra to ensure that our gifts convey our love and appreciation ...Read more
Single File: Freedom First?
DEAR SUSAN: This is one woman's comments on the 31-year-old man (who has never been married and is successful professionally) with a puzzling situation. He wrote for your opinion because the woman he's dating has a young child and complains that he puts his friends and freedom first.
I feel I must weigh in on this matter. I think he should put ...Read more
Erika Ettin: 5 ways to combat online dating fatigue (because it happens to everyone)
Burnout. We’ve all experienced it, whether at work, from school, over family obligations, or even due to a too-packed social schedule. We can also apply it to relationships — because it’s actually completely normal. Sometimes it stems from being overwhelmed (so many apps, so little time), and other times you find yourself feeling like you�...Read more
Ask Anna: Tips for when your poly partner dates someone you don't like
Dear Anna,
I’m a bisexual woman currently in my first significant relationship with another bisexual woman. Throughout my life, I’ve always identified as bi, but my past romantic involvements were primarily with straight men. I've been married twice and have three daughters. Despite my attraction to women, I’ve never dated one until now. ...Read more
Japanese Reader Wants More Information On Tipping
DEAR HARRIETTE: The tipping culture in the United States is puzzling to me as someone from Japan, where tipping is not customary. In Japan, tips can imply that the employer does not provide adequate wages.
After moving to New Orleans, I discovered that tipping was expected for various services, including food, transportation and even coffee. ...Read more
Host Doesn't Want To ... Well, Host
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I enjoy cooking and setting a nice table, and my spouse and I often invite several couples over for dinner. After the meal, I have come upon a problem: I don't feel right clearing the table for able-bodied adults of equal status to me.
In the past, I joined in clearing family members' dishes as a sign of respect for my in-...Read more
Confronting the Past: Facing Old Wounds at High School Reunion
Dear Annie: I have my 20-year high school reunion coming up, and I'm planning to go, as it's a major milestone reunion and we've lost some people over the years. However, I will be running into some issues with it.
The biggest issue is that I am in ongoing therapy for sexual assaults that happened in high school back in the early 2000s, and ...Read more
Ask Amy: Mom’s fibs about sister’s support causes trouble
Dear Amy: Several years back, my sister was in a pretty bad place. She was in her early 30s, still living at home, and didn’t have viable career plans. She desperately wanted to get married and have children, and none of this was working out for her, as she had very little self-confidence.
My mother works for my uncle. She has been quite ...Read more
This Famous Brownie Recipe Comes With Its Own Warning
DEAR ABBY: I have read that you have a sweet tooth. I do, too. That's why I'm interested in your recipe booklets, particularly if you have included dessert recipes. Which ones do you particularly love? -- LOVES IT SWEET IN ANNAPOLIS, MD
DEAR LOVES: That's a tough question. It's hard to choose just one recipe because I do have a sweet tooth as ...Read more
Man Invites Ex To Upcoming Wedding
DEAR HARRIETTE: Is it crossing the line if I attend my ex-boyfriend's wedding? We have known each other for 16 years as neighbors. Despite breaking up three years ago, I recently received an invitation to his upcoming wedding. I am still single since our split, and his impending marriage came as a shock. (Our breakup was fine; we broke up due to...Read more
Keep Feedback Vague If Asked About Relative's Book
DEAR MISS MANNERS: A family member has self-published a memoir of their life as an e-book. Although we are not close and live in different cities, we do enjoy chatting and catching up by phone from time to time.
I decided to purchase a copy, as I was curious about their perspective on various family events over the years, but found the book to ...Read more
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