Things Your Mama Taught You

Dear Short Answers: Someone at work who I know well but I absolutely despise has become ill. I will NOT rush to his side but feel I should acknowledge his misfortune. What should I do? Not A Hypocrite! Dear Not: The line between hypocritical  and insensitive is challenging but not untraveled.  It may be that [...]

Spare Yourself

Dear Short Answers: When people say “stop me if you’ve heard this before,” is it really okay to stop them? Its’ a 3peat Dear 3peat: Yes its okay.  Just smile when you say “rerun.” Like Unlike

You Know What You Know

Dear Short Answers: I recently divulged a secret to a very good friend and swore him to secrecy.  I later found out the he had told another person.  Do I confront him with this?  Or do I keep quiet and learn my lesson? SPD Dear SPD: What possible good could come from a confrontation? Denial? [...]

It’s Complicated

Dear Short Answers: Are young people ruder today than they used to be? Often Offended Dear OO: What is considered “rude” is controlled by many things.  It is cultural, generational, and as variable as fashion. Young people probably  aren’t ruder, but you  are definitely older than you used to be. Like Unlike

Variable Costs

Dear Short Answers: What do you do about a friend who never picks up a check. And I mean never! Friend of Cheap Dear FOC: Assume this as the price of your relationship.  Then decide if you want to go out with this friend, or not. Like Unlike

May I Help You?

Dear Short Answers: My neighbor is elderly and becoming frail. We are friends and I would like to help her with her garden this year. How do I offer without offending her? Younger in Springtime Dear Younger: Keep it light. No need for lengthy explanations. Drop by on a nice day and say “put me [...]

Nightmare in the Sky

Dear Short Answers: How do you handle a screaming baby who is sitting two rows away from you on a cross country airplane flight?  And the mother refuses to even acknowledge that there is a problem?  I called the flight attendant who basically told me to mind my own business.  I thought I was going [...]

Game Changers

Dear Short Answers: My niece just had a baby.  No one called me — I found out on Facebook.  I am sick of being an internet gift service. Do I have to send yet another unappreciated offering? Distant Auntie Dear Auntie: No. It is better to risk their anger than assure yours. Like Unlike

Watchful Waiting

Dear Short Answers: My baby sister is very upset about a lot of things. And she seems to want to alienate me as well. It seems like with things falling apart around her we should be closer but she seems intent on driving me away. What do you make of this? Ruth Dear Ruth: This [...]

Timing Is Everything

Dear Short Answers: A woman who works for me recently resigned in order to take a better paying job at another company. My staff is organizing a going away party for her and they expect me to pay for it (or, at least, pay for most of it). Obviously, I wish her well, but I [...]

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