Life Advice
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Errant Text Could Undo Decades Of Friendship
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am part of a group of six college friends from 50 years ago. We stay in touch by texting often, and getting together in person every few years. We are spread out geographically, but one friend and I are just a few miles apart and have always seen each other more often.
I was to stop by this friend's house to pick something ...Read more
Invisible at the Office
Dear Annie: I'm struggling with something at work that's starting to affect not just my motivation but also my self-worth.
My boss has taken credit for my work on several occasions. These aren't minor tasks; I'm talking about full-scale projects I've managed from start to finish, ideas I've brainstormed and developed, and presentations I've ...Read more
Expectant Mom Wants Her Sex Offender Father Out Of The Picture
DEAR ABBY: My dad is a registered sex offender who has done time for his crimes against children. My mother has continued to have contact with him and has repeatedly chosen him over her own children. She doesn't respect our wishes, and we believe she gives him information about our lives and our images.
With a child on the way, I cannot ...Read more

Asking Eric: Coworker’s outfits create conversation, but HR won’t help
Dear Eric: A woman who works for me dresses in a provocative fashion. We work in a formal professional setting. She wore a black lace dress with cleavage on a Monday and I blurted out “boy, you’re dressed up for a Monday!” Her response was that she had a date that night.
I get complaints from coworkers that her flesh-baring outfits are ...Read more
Neighbor Upset By Odor Coming From Next Door
DEAR HARRIETTE: My neighbors are from another country, and honestly I think they have the worst body odor ever. Their house isn't dirty; I think it must just be what they eat. All I know is that the smell seeps into the hallway and makes me gag. There's nothing I can say about it, but is there anything I can do? We live in an apartment building,...Read more
Take Friendly Comments At Face Value
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have been taking time off work to help care for my father, who has incurable cancer. To clients I don't know well, I've said, "I'll be out of town to help my dad, who is sick."
They almost invariably reply, "I hope he feels better soon." I know they mean well, and I usually manage to take it that way. But that doesn't stop ...Read more
Owed Money, Lost Sleep
Dear Annie: I have a close friend I care about a lot, but there's something that's starting to get under my skin -- and I'm not sure if I should say something or let it slide.
Whenever we go out -- whether it's lunch, drinks or concerts -- we usually agree to split the cost. But somehow, I always end up paying more. She's "forgotten her ...Read more
Elderly Couple's Only Child Begins A Life Without Them
DEAR ABBY: I am a single man with no siblings. My elderly father passed away eight months ago. My mother is now in hospice with a life expectancy of weeks to months. My parents have lived long and productive lives, and I'm proud of both of them. We have always been very close. Since their terminal illnesses, I have managed to function fairly ...Read more

Asking Eric: Friend refuses to get medical care, despite scary symptoms
Dear Eric: I have a friend who I've known since childhood. Our relationship has always been platonic. Through the years we have gone our separate ways but always stayed in touch. I was living in another state when he had and beat cancer.
I've been back in my hometown for a few years now and have spent quite a lot of time with him doing things ...Read more
Friend Wants To Help Woman Struggling With Mental Health
DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a close friend who is always upbeat, kind and full of energy, which is why I was surprised when she recently confided in me that she has been struggling with her mental health. She didn't go into too much detail, but I could tell that it's been weighing on her for a while.
I want to be a good friend and offer her the ...Read more
Don't Upstage Host's Easter Dessert
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Would you consider it rude to bring an additional dish to a dinner, even if it wasn't requested?
This is for an Easter dinner, so it is a meal in which the dishes are meant to be special. When I asked what I could contribute, I was asked to bring a side. I'm more than happy to do this, but I'm also inspired to make a yummy ...Read more
Making Peace Without Answers
Dear Annie: My husband hasn't heard a word from his mother in over 20 years -- not even after the deaths of two of her sons. She's now 94, and we recently heard she's still alive, still isolated, and still unwilling to speak to him or anyone else in the family.
It breaks my heart. I remember the early years of our marriage -- sending her ...Read more
Woman About To Share News Of Her Surprise Pregnancy
DEAR ABBY: My partner and I have been together more than five years now. He has two adult children. I learned two days ago that I am pregnant. At 43 years old, I didn't think a child was in my future. But now that I'm pregnant, I couldn't be happier. I'm cautiously excited because I am unsure what my partner's reaction is going to be. I haven't ...Read more
Millennial Life: Tugging at the Same Roots
I waited to return her call until I had all the information I could get. Unfortunately, the ultimate why for the destruction of the trees was beyond my reach.
She left a message in a resigned panic. She couldn't stop those cutting down the old mesquite trees, even though she tried to reach out to the postmaster at two of the post offices in ...Read more

Asking Eric: Infidelity makes wedding weekend an awkward affair
Dear Eric: It has recently come to light that the father of my goddaughter has been cheating on his wife for almost the entirety of their 30-year marriage. For some reason, the wife has decided to stay with this man. My goddaughter’s destination wedding is coming up soon. I don’t want to be in a room with this man, let alone hug or converse ...Read more
The Quiet Signs of Emotional Abuse
Dear Annie: My mom and I read your column every day, and we always find your advice thoughtful and compassionate. Lately, I've been thinking about something I witnessed years ago while working in a shelter for abused women. It's stayed with me -- the way emotional abuse often begins so subtly, with little comments that chip away at someone's ...Read more
Grown Godchildren No Longer Communicate As Often
DEAR ABBY: My godchildren and I were always very close. They consider me literally their second mom. Until now, we were blessed with great communication. The oldest always sent me a warm Mother's Day greeting and called me often.
About a year ago, she started ignoring all of my overtures. Her younger sister, who is also grown with children, ...Read more

Asking Eric: Young brothers’ skirmish takes an extreme turn
Dear Eric: I have two boys ages 8 and 13. In most cases the sibling rivalry is about the same as any other family.
One late evening, I picked them up at the dance studio and we came home. Everyone was tired (especially ME!) and so they decided to hit the sack. Around 10, I thought I heard muffled whimpering and screeching. Thinking I was just ...Read more
Reader Can't Stop Thinking About Ex-Boyfriend
DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently broke up with my boyfriend, and even though I know it was the right decision, I can't seem to stop thinking about him. We were together for a long time, and he was a big part of my daily life. Now that he's gone, everything feels empty. I keep catching myself wanting to text him, wondering what he's doing and replaying...Read more
Miss Manners' Handy Tips For Saving Seats
DEAR MISS MANNERS: What exactly are the rules for saving seats at an informal event where seats are not assigned?
When I was invited to my nephew's martial arts presentation, I arrived half an hour early to save seats for my family of five (three of us were present) because the others were coming from work and couldn't arrive early.
A woman ...Read more
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