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Asking Eric: Freeloading friend hasn’t paid for lunch in a decade

Life Advice / Asking Eric /

Dear Eric: I have a friend who has moved several states away but comes back to visit at least once a year. She has many friends in this area, and I know she is busy trying to fit us all into her schedule. When she and I meet for lunch at a local higher end restaurant, we have a couple of drinks, and she always orders steak. We’ve been doing ...Read more

New Employee Wants More Guidance

Life Advice / Sense & Sensitivity /

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just started my new job, and my boss has given me little guidance. When I reach out with questions, the responses are either short, vague or delayed. I was expecting some kind of structured onboarding or training, or at least regular check-ins to help me transition smoothly, but that hasn't happened. Most days I'm left trying ...Read more

Can We All Stop Comparing Weights?

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: In 2011, I had weight loss surgery. It was very successful, and I've managed to keep the weight off. Of course, a lot of people think I "took the easy way" to lose weight, but surgery is not a miracle cure, just a tool.

My best friend has a slight weight problem, or at least she believes she does. I sure don't see her as ...Read more

Feeling Unsafe in Your Own Space

Life Advice / Dear Annie /

Dear Annie: A set of neighbors used to live across the street from me. When they did, I thought they were really nice, but I found out later -- too late -- that they were meth addicts who stole anything that wasn't nailed down, including from me. I discovered they would watch when I'd leave and go into my house. I'm 74 and from the era when we...Read more

Younger Neighbors Show They Have Some Growing Up To Do

Life Advice / Dear Abby /

DEAR ABBY: I am 54 and already facing ageism. Some of my neighbors who are in their 30s and 40s make ageist statements aimed at me. These people do not know me but happen to live in my building. One time, I was wearing a brand-new purple winter coat I loved. It was a gift from a close friend. A woman complimented me on my coat, followed by, "I ...Read more

Aric Crabb/The Bay Area News Group/TNS

'Marry Lisa' billboard campaign attracts scores of potential suitors to woman seeking love

Life Advice / Dating Advice /

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- After years of always being the perpetual bridesmaid, Lisa Catalano of San Mateo, California, laid down her soft-pink bouquet, hung up her strappy blue satin Maid of Honor dress and drafted a text to her friends:

“I’m officially announcing my retirement from being a bridesmaid,” she wrote. “The next wedding I’m ...Read more

Asking Eric: Daughter moves back in with parents and brings a mess with her

Life Advice / Asking Eric /

Dear Eric: I’m 81 years old and my husband is 84. We were comfortably retired until our 44-year-old daughter and 9-year-old granddaughter moved in with us a few weeks ago. Our daughter was evicted from her condo because her ex-husband stopped paying. (I don’t blame him.)

She’s a college graduate and hasn’t worked at a job in her field ...Read more

Injury Sidelines Promising Volleyball Player

Life Advice / Sense & Sensitivity /

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter, a high school junior, recently broke her leg, and it has turned our whole household upside down. She is a dedicated volleyball player and has been training nonstop for years. This was supposed to be her big season when college coaches would get to see her play and potentially recruit her. Unfortunately, she's now ...Read more

Who Should Return Whose Call?

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I live in a rural area where cellphone reception and internet service can be spotty, which sometimes results in calls being dropped without warning.

Callers who are accustomed to infallible technology can be baffled by this. I've even been accused of having hung up on someone! But more commonly, an awkward exchange ensues, ...Read more

Learning to Say 'I've Got This' at Work, and 'No, Thank You' at Home

Life Advice / Dear Annie /

Dear Annie: I recently started a new job at a software company, and for the most part, I really like it. The work is interesting, my co-workers are friendly, and the company culture is a good fit for me. The only issue is my manager. She has a habit of micromanaging just about everything I do. She insists on reviewing emails before I send them...Read more

Widower's New Romance Includes A Few Red Flags

Life Advice / Dear Abby /

DEAR ABBY: I am a man who was widowed 11 months ago. I met a woman on a dating site, and we clicked immediately. We have been enjoying each other's company for several months. We have a long-distance relationship. She lives three hours away. Although she indicated on the dating site her status as "separated for two years," she still lives in the...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

Ask Anna: Screening out phone time on date night

Life Advice / Dating Advice /

Dear Anna,

I'm in a polyamorous relationship with my girlfriend of two years, and we see each other once a week due to other partners and our demanding work schedules. I completely understand that she's often exhausted when we finally get together, and I'm fine with low-key dates like ordering takeout and watching TV. The problem is that even ...Read more

Single File: Defensiveness -- Fortress Thinking (Part 1)

Life Advice / Single File /

ATTENTION "SINGLE FILE(R)" EDITORS: THE FOLLOWING COLUMN WAS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED IN 2017. THANK YOU. - CREATORS

If you've been with me for a while now, you've probably gotten the message that most of the rough spots in single life are not lethal in themselves but can stir up major mischief when they get out of hand.

The same rule applies to ...Read more

DREAMSTIME/TNS

Ask Dating Coach Erika: Should I have a backup plan?

Life Advice / Dating Advice /

This week, we have three very relatable dating questions:

Question: I really like Gerry and don’t feel like sifting through other profiles. But is that wise? Should I still go through the motions as backup options until my three-month Match subscription ends, in case Gerry and I fizzle? I know he likes me.

-- Jane, 62, Orlando, Florida

...Read more

Asking Eric: Friend in a different country ambivalent about American political strife

Life Advice / Asking Eric /

Dear Eric: My bestie is a modern-day pen pal. That is to say I know him on only social

media. But we've had so many fine chats over the last decade, until recently.

He lives in another country, where personal freedom is strongly protected. I recently told him how bad things are here in the US – not how bad they could be, but how bad they are...Read more

Public Figure Feels He Must Not Rock The Boat

Life Advice / Sense & Sensitivity /

DEAR HARRIETTE: I was invited to a gathering at a nightclub this weekend, and I sat with a private group of people who provided table service. It was very chic until random people started to sneak up and try to pour themselves free drinks from our bar setup. One woman came and sat with our group, even though we didn't know her; she tried to ...Read more

Boyfriend Pouts, Misses Dinner, Pouts Some More

Life Advice / Miss Manners /

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My boyfriend and I live together, with roommates, in a big house. We share the cooking, and due to shift work and other reasons, dinner can be anywhere between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Usually, when dinner is ready, whoever cooked it will send a message in the group chat to call everyone to the table. (People might be spread out on ...Read more

When You've Always Been There for Family -- and They're No Longer There for You

Life Advice / Dear Annie /

Dear Annie: I am an 85-year-old widow living alone. I have three children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In years past, when I was still driving, I would visit regularly and made it a point to stay involved. I helped pay for camps, lessons, pageants, tutors and even household expenses. I have always tried to be generous with...Read more

Husband's Jokes' Make Wife The Target Of Every Punchline

Life Advice / Dear Abby /

DEAR ABBY: I've been married for 49 years. Of course, we've had our ups and downs. My husband, "Sid," said he was joking at the store the other day. When I talk, I gesture with my hands. A woman was coming down the aisle while I was talking, and Sid warned her, "Watch out! She's mean! She's violent!"

At another store, he told the cashier, "...Read more

Asking Eric: Wife feels neglected by husband caring for ailing father

Life Advice / Asking Eric /

Dear Eric: My husband and I have been married almost five years, and it has been wonderful. Six months ago, we had a major disruption when my 83-year-old father-in-law was diagnosed with dementia. He was admitted to hospice last week. We have no one to help with him, except for a sitter that is draining his wallet.

My husband and I have an 11-...Read more

 

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