ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: My adult daughters absolutely refuse to call or visit their father, and it's become a constant point of tension in our family. I'm still married to him, and while they love me, they make it clear they want nothing to do with him. They grew up watching me handle almost everything in the household all while working full time. ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is a ride on a motorcycle a good idea for a first date? My date showed up carrying two helmets and wearing a leather jacket.

I had to put my arms around him so as not to fall off the bike, which was embarrassing. My date is otherwise very traditional. The ride was fun, although we didn't get a chance to talk.

GENTLE READER: ...Read more

Dear Annie: When my boyfriend decided to get serious about his health earlier this year -- cleaner eating, regular workouts -- I was super proud of him. I cheered him on and swapped out our snacks without complaint. For the first few months, it brought out the best in him.

But somewhere along the way, his personal reboot turned into an ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: As my parents have aged, my father has been misremembering things or making wrong assumptions. It has increasingly gotten on my mom's nerves (she has also become more impatient and snappy lately), and she has been yelling at him in response. Sometimes, he responds back, but usually he doesn't.

My sister snapped at them, saying she is...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm a 75-year-old woman who has lived in the same charming walk-up apartment in New York City for more than 40 years. This place has seen me through marriage, motherhood, widowhood and every season of my life. Recently, the three flights of stairs have become almost impossible for me to manage. My knees ache, I get winded easily ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I received a cancer diagnosis two months ago. Initially, I was quite open in discussing it with others when warranted -- for example, explaining to co-workers why I would be out on certain days. I had a lot of optimism and didn't feel I needed privacy, so I gave people carte blanche to ask questions.

Now I'm regretting the ...Read more

Dear Annie: Christmas at my parents' house used to feel magical, but lately it feels like I'm walking into a performance review. My older brother's new hobby is "radical honesty," and apparently the holidays are his favorite time to practice. Last year, as we decorated the tree, he announced that my handmade ornaments looked "like a Pinterest ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I had a friend, "Mylene," for many years. We swapped dog-sitting to offset the cost for each other. I helped her when she was sick and broke her foot. I walked her dog whenever she needed me. If a funeral, wedding or family emergency came up, I was always there for her.

An aunt of mine in another state passed away. I would have had ...Read more

This week, the questions are geared toward those who are single again and have no children living at home. Next week, we'll turn the focus to those who have never been married.

--Has your sex life become freer, less inhibited, less routine since becoming single again? (About 55 percent said yes.)

--Why are you single again? (About 79 percent ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend really upset me recently. We made plans to go out to a restaurant that I've been looking forward to for weeks; it was special to me, and he knew how excited I was. The day before our reservation, he canceled because he "forgot" he had plans with a friend to go to some EDM event. Not only did he cancel at the last ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How do I respond to some common shaming I get from people I know?

For background, I am a female member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and have many dear friends who are members of other marginalized communities. My rights and the rights of the people I love are important to me.

Some people I know openly support politicians who ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have lost most of my family and many close friends, and I struggle with depression myself. There are days when the silence in my house feels almost too loud.

Over time, I have learned how to be alone without completely falling apart. I have a pet who has been a lifeline for me. This little creature depends on me, greets me at ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I've been married to a narcissist for 28 years. He has gaslighted me for our entire 30 years together. He has had a "work wife," a flirtation with the next-door neighbor hottie, and he paid for two sexy girls' dinners (and pies to go) because they happened to be in line in front of us.

After an argument, he even called the police on ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My colleague has a tendency to be unapologetically late, and I can't stand it! We've traveled together in the past for work, and I have seen firsthand how careless he can be with his time -- even for work functions.

We are more friends than colleagues now, so as I began planning a birthday trip for myself, I had to decide if I ...Read more