ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: Over the past year, I've gained a significant amount of weight, and it's been difficult for me emotionally and mentally. I've become extremely self-conscious about how I look -- to the point where I sometimes avoid social situations altogether. I feel like I'm constantly comparing myself to the person I used to be, and I don't ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I need to know if I am justified in feeling miffed.

Let me set the scene: I was the second of three people waiting in line to pay for our purchases at a local shop in our small town. The proprietor was the cashier, known to all of us.

First Person in Line was having a spirited conversation while her purchases were wrapped ...Read more

Dear Annie: I work remotely and rent a small guesthouse on a property owned by a retired couple, "Tom" and "Linda." They live in the main house and are kind, but recently their friendliness has crossed into something more intrusive.

At first, it was small things; Linda would wave and come chat while I was outside on a break, or Tom would ask ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am married to a man who is incarcerated. As you can imagine, it's been hard on our family. I have two kids with him. I was pregnant with our youngest when he was arrested. According to his mother, since my husband went to prison, I can't do anything right. She yells at me that she has it worse than I do regarding my husband. Her ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My oldest daughter is preparing to head to college in the fall. She has worked so hard over the years -- as a student and as a sister. Her father and I spent a lot of our time working, and she picked up the slack with her two younger siblings. She never complained and always made us proud with her grades and her kind heart. She's...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have changed from working at a veterinary clinic in a lower socioeconomic area to one in a more affluent area. I have noticed that when I refer my patients to the local specialist hospital, the hospital staff members are much more polite and respectful than they were when I called from my old clinic.

This upsets me on ...Read more

Dear Annie: My sister, "Jenna," is 38 and recently started selling handmade candles online. I was excited for her at first; it's a big step to start your own business. But now, every conversation somehow turns into a pitch. She'll bring candles to family dinners and "gift" them, only to follow up later asking for social media shoutouts or ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my husband for nearly 20 years and lived with him for three years before marrying him. How do you deal with a narcissistic husband? I am tired of the manipulation -- the fights he has caused and then made to look like I was to blame.

The worst part is how he has "punished" me. He often gives me the silent ...Read more

Just how bad is it to be without a mate? If you really want to know what's going on in your inner life, jump into the following and show yourself what you really think about this unmarried life by agreeing or disagreeing with these statements. (This is an equal-opportunity quiz; both genders are invited.)

--Being single means being alone and ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have the opportunity to take a job where my friend will be my boss. I've never worked in an environment with someone I was friends with prior to working with them, and I don't often make a habit of becoming close friends with co-workers. I'm a bit wary.

This friend of mine is someone I have known since middle school. Our ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was on a tennis team and was eliminated during a tournament. I was supposed to play two matches: I played one and won, but then got injured and bowed out of my second match. I then recovered, but still didn't get to play in the remaining matches.

We had a very strong team, so I knew I wouldn't play much, but thought I would...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm 65 years old, and after years of focusing on everything and everyone else, I finally feel ready to date again. The only problem is -- I'm not sure how to go about it, or if it's even realistic at my age.

I'll be honest: I have not been the best judge of character in the past. That makes me extra cautious now, especially when ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married for three years. Most of that time, it has been perfect. Six months ago, we received some amazing news: We are expecting a child! This was a miracle. We had been struggling to conceive, and I had almost given up hope that it would ever happen.

My problem is, when my husband and I started dating, my ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter just graduated from college in May, and my husband and I couldn't be prouder of her. She has a job lined up in New York City and will be moving there in mid-August. The lease at her college apartment ends in July, and we were really hoping she would come home before starting this next chapter. We thought it would be a...Read more