ArcaMax

DEAR ABBY: I often see ads about stopping smoking. I'd like to share my story of success in overcoming this filthy habit in the hope that it may help someone else.

I smoked four packs of non-filtered cigarettes every day. At the age of 37, I knew I wanted to quit. I set a goal to stop one month away, and on that day, cold turkey went into ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My fiance and I dated for a little while in high school and rekindled after college. About a year ago, he proposed to me, and I said yes. At the time, I was living with my parents but spent many nights at his place, so eventually, I moved in. It wasn't planned, but I am the oldest of a family of seven children, so I spent a lot ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I are disagreeing on what a proper RSVP is. I sent out digital invitations for my son's birthday party and requested people RSVP to me. Many of his family members "liked" the digital invitation, but did not specifically respond as to whether or not they were attending.

I told my husband that no one from his ...Read more

Dear Annie: My daughter "Kate" recently got engaged to her boyfriend of three years. He's polite and responsible, and they seem happy together. The problem is that Kate doesn't want to invite her father -- my ex-husband -- to the wedding. She says it's her day and she doesn't want the stress of dealing with him.

For context, her father and I ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My brother has ALS and lives in another state. He has a wife and children. His wife has decided that when family visits from out of state, they need to stay in a hotel instead of their house because she does not have the capacity to host.

I understand that it is stressful to have houseguests while also being a caregiver for someone ...Read more

These are the core questions asked of every participant in my sexuality survey of single people. See how your responses stack up against the majority voice.

--Have you experienced close friendships with people who could have been sex partners that did not lead to physical intimacy? (About 85 percent said yes.)

If so, did you become closer or ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been talking to a guy for about a year now. It has been casual for two reasons: He is unemployed (for quite some time now) and struggling, and I am in the beginning of a divorce -- a messy scenario.

We like each other and have enjoyed talking. Being the person I am, I have helped him in different ways, coaching him on his ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a divorced woman with no nearby family, so I am often invited to the homes of various close friends on holidays. Last year, I was invited to a Thanksgiving with about 30 people.

Upon receiving the invite, I offered to bring a couple of homemade pies. The hosts replied that they would instead like me to bring SIX bottles ...Read more

Dear Annie: A few years ago, a group of us started a book club that became one of the highlights of our month. We'd gather with good food, wine and plenty of laughter, and occasionally even talk about the book. For a long time, it was pure fun.

But over time, one member began to dominate everything. She interrupted constantly, turned every ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I think you once wrote that failure to thank people for gifts is the No. 1 complaint you receive. Well, I can see why!

My daughters, grandchildren, nieces and nephew not only fail to acknowledge gifts which involve thought, time and effort, but they also do not acknowledge receiving them when I send them by mail. My mother taught me ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: The other night, my husband said something that's been weighing on me. We were talking about my job, and he told me that maybe the reason I haven't been moving up in my career is because I don't have much drive anymore. He said it casually, like he didn't mean any harm, but it hurt. I've been doing my best, even if my progress ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: While acknowledging gratitude for being invited to quite a few social events, how do I decline an invitation that I have little interest in attending? (Yes, I gladly attend special birthday celebrations and all 50th wedding anniversaries.)

"I'm sorry, I can't make it" is honest, but does etiquette require valid reasons for ...Read more

Dear Readers: Every Veterans Day, I always remember a woman I once met in an airport. She was sitting quietly by a window, holding a small American flag in one hand and a welcome home sign in the other. The edges of the sign were worn, clearly used more than once.

Her son had been deployed three times. "He says not to make a fuss," she told ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: After my father died by suicide, my mother moved the family across the country. I was 13, and I never discussed my father's death with anyone.

Now, 50 years later, my best friend from high school has terminated our friendship because I don't support her politics. Her parting comment to me: "I was only nice to you because your mom ...Read more