ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I hate my new manager. She's new to the team, and it is clear to everyone that her priority is asserting dominance and making sure her voice is heard and her name is known. Plot twist: She's my cousin!

When my cousin asked me to introduce her to the higher-ups at my job for a referral, I was elated. She has a stellar resume, and...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A car wash I patronize has two single-occupant washrooms, one labeled "Men," the other "Ladies." I had availed myself of the men's room, and as I was closing the door, someone pushed it open.

I stepped back, and in walked a 30-something woman. She closed the door, locked it and smiled at me as she walked by.

The men's ...Read more

Dear Annie: My sister lives across the country and recently lost her husband. She doesn't have much of a support system nearby, and she's not in good health and can't get around well at all. She can barely take care of herself, never mind her little dog. Her home has serious issues because it's been poorly maintained. I haven't been able to go...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I began experiencing migraines occasionally as a teenager, but in my early 20s, they became a regular occurrence. I tried unsuccessfully for years to identify my triggers, cutting things from my diet and environment before realizing about a year ago that I'm triggered by smoke.

My husband -- my best friend and the love of my life -- ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I started my current job during the COVID-19 pandemic, and at that time, everyone was working from home. This year, my employer has asked that we all begin working in the office again full-time. I live over an hour away from the office, and the commute is excessive. The cost of gas continues to rise, but my salary has not changed...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: About a year ago, I met the man of my dreams, and he and I are planning a future together. I have a wonderful group of friends -- we are all in our 60s and 70s, and get together often for fun activities -- and I feel so fortunate that he and my friends adore each other. We have enjoyed many fun times with the group.

We joined...Read more

Dear Annie: I have a frustrating problem with my mother. I'm 40 years old, but she still treats me like I'm a teenager. She expects me to answer every call immediately and freaks out if I'm unavailable, often roping in my cousin to text me if I don't respond since my mom doesn't know how.

This has been going on since I was a teen. When I was ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have suspected for many years that my son is gay. I don't understand why he would feel he can't talk to me about his relationships. I would love him regardless. Everything was fine when his father and I lived hundreds of miles away, but when I mentioned we might move closer, my son got very upset and made it clear that he didn't ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been looking for a fresh start for a few years. I didn't know exactly what I needed to change, but I felt disappointment when I'd reflect on my life. One day, I decided to change my location on LinkedIn and began getting some great job offers. For a time, I'd take interviews; when I'd get offered a job, I'd get cold feet and...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My boyfriend and I share an apartment, and also share two pet snakes. These are not large reptiles, and are kept in very secure glass tanks behind closed doors.

We understand that many people are not comfortable with reptiles, so we never let them roam around the apartment. If we have company, we never bring our pets out or ...Read more

Dear Annie: I need some advice. My son got married three years ago to a woman we didn't know about. He never brought her over to introduce her to us. Didn't even tell us he got married. He stopped speaking to us.

Then, when my husband died, my son asked if I got any insurance money. That took me back. I don't see him anymore unless he needs ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have been seeing my partner, "Gil," for five years. After my husband passed, Gil came into my life again. We had been colleagues about 10 years prior. We always had a spark but never acted on it, as I was deeply committed to my late husband.

After the funeral, Gil came into my life with guns blazing. We struck up a friendship, and ...Read more

It's a complicated challenge, this single life. On your own, shunning both dependency and isolation, you adjust after a while and learn to be in the present moment. Sleepless nights have taught you that you should not voyage into the future (what could be) too often or dwell in the past (what might have been). The fancy footwork needed to ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister and I have always been close, but lately our relationship has been feeling strained, and I think it has a lot to do with how she constantly compares our kids. Every time we're together, she makes comments about how much more advanced her daughter is or how her son is better behaved. She'll say things like, "Well, mine ...Read more