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Attention "Single File(R)" Editors: The Following Column Was Previously Released In 2020. Thank You. - Creators
ATTENTION "SINGLE FILE(R)" EDITORS: THE FOLLOWING COLUMN WAS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED IN 2020. THANK YOU. - CREATORS
Best Single Cities
According to census data, the median age for an individual's first marriage has been steadily increasing over time. In 2018, the median age for a first marriage in the United States was nearly 30 for men and 28 for...Read more

Erika Ettin: Ask the dating coach
We’re here for another installment of “Ask Dating Coach Erika,” where people anonymously share their burning dating questions.
Question: Any tips for someone who works 80 hours per week and is always burned out but wants to date?
Answer: Trust me -- I wish I had the ability to create more hours in the week. Unfortunately, that's not in ...Read more

Ask Anna: I can't afford to be my friend's maid of honor
Dear Anna,
Three months ago, I excitedly agreed to be the maid of honor in my college roommate's destination wedding next summer, assuming it would involve standard expenses. Fast forward to now, and I'm realizing I cannot afford the costs: a specific designer bridesmaid dress, mandatory professional hair and makeup, the flight and five-day ...Read more

Asking Eric: While trying to be an influencer, a friend crosses the line
Dear Eric: A lady I know does shopping for Instacart, and occasionally she will post on Facebook photos of homes she has delivered to, adding comments like “look at this cool home I delivered groceries to today!” Isn’t that a huge breach of privacy? Or as an influencer, she will post videos of herself walking around a restaurant or store, ...Read more
Underemployed Roommate Feels Trapped
DEAR HARRIETTE: I currently live with my boyfriend -- in part because I have nowhere else to go. When we were first dating, I was living alone, but about two years into our relationship I lost my job, and my boyfriend graciously invited me to move in with him. At the time, it felt OK. I didn't like being in a position of need, but that aside, ...Read more
The Case Of The Foul-Mouthed Neurologist
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My teenage son had begun seeing a new neurologist, who is highly recommended and seems to be very skilled. We have had two appointments with this doctor, and both times, he used at least a half-dozen swear words in the 20-minute appointment.
He's young, very friendly, very informal, and probably thinks it's no big deal ...Read more
Birthday Gifts Have an Age Limit
Dear Annie: This letter is in reference to the aunt and uncle who provided generous gifts to their six nephews, only to be forgotten when it came time for those same nephews to thank them.
I would suggest that they do what I have done with my 20 grandchildren: I'll give them birthday cards and gifts until age 18. At that time, I let them know ...Read more
Cop's Ex-Wife Has Carried A Secret For Two Decades
DEAR ABBY: I was married to a police officer for 20 years. It wasn't a warm marriage. We divorced 20 years ago. Our one child is in his late 30s. I always put my son first and loved him with all my heart.
During the last year of my marriage, my ex was poisoning my coffee. After drinking my one cup of afternoon coffee, my heart rate would go as ...Read more

Asking Eric: Looking for a romantic spark, an old friend gets ghosted
Dear Eric: I am a lesbian in my late 60s. Recently I had a dream of a woman I knew back in the ’70s. I was very taken by her; even though I knew I was gay and confused, I married my boyfriend anyway. But she and I and other friends went on coffee breaks for a couple of years, and she always sat across from me. Sometimes I caught her staring at...Read more
Realtor Friend Seems Unworthy Of Hype
DEAR HARRIETTE: I bought property a few years ago. I'm not happy about how my Realtor operated during that initial transaction, but I kept working with her. She has now asked me to share her details on my personal social pages to help her get more business. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend her if someone asked me privately, so I don't care to ...Read more
The Many Problems With 'no Gifts, Please'
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I attended a bridal shower where the bride-to-be asked for "no gifts, please." Half the attendees showed up with gifts anyway, and the ones who honored her request and didn't bring a gift were left to feel cheap.
It was awkward for everyone, including the bride-to-be, who wasn't sure if she should open the gifts or not. What ...Read more
Can I Keep My Guy Friends?
Dear Annie: I have been dating my boyfriend for almost eight years. We were high school sweethearts, and we are each other's first everything, so we've only been with each other.
I've had a guy friend for about six years because we worked together. We've since stayed friends once we both left our jobs. I do hang out with him, but I always let ...Read more
Man Pines For A Female Friend Who Already Turned Him Down
DEAR ABBY: I fell in love with my best friend. When I told her 10 years ago, she distanced herself. We were still friends, but she went on making bad choices in her relationships, and I never found anyone who could compare to her. We reconnected recently and have once again become very close. I still love her, and I always will.
She doesn't ...Read more

Asking Eric: Nonprofit founder wants to hold onto awards after company closes
Dear Eric: I founded a nonprofit organization that is about to close (for multiple reasons, one being that others are now doing this work). I’m no longer on the board of directors, just a volunteer. A few years ago, we got a very prestigious award for something that was my idea. Can I keep the actual award, or if not, what should we do with it...Read more
Friend Ruins Vacation Plans By Spreading Illness
DEAR HARRIETTE: About a month ago, I accidentally got my friend sick. I had a bad cold and didn't realize how contagious I was until she caught it from me. Unfortunately, her symptoms were even worse than mine. She had a high fever and was completely out of commission for days. The worst part is that she was supposed to go on a vacation she had ...Read more
Guess What? No One Likes Guessing Games
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am an accent nerd, especially about accents from Great Britain and its current and former colonies. I like to guess where people are from once I've heard them speak (not necessarily to me).
In order to find out if my guess is correct, I have to start up a conversation with them. I usually start off by asking them if I am ...Read more
Facebook Misinformation Alienates Son
Dear Annie: I have two sons. My older one was always a source of difficulty growing up. He loved to read encyclopedias and science-related books. This led him to correct his teachers at times. Needless to say, this did not go well for him and made him an object of bullying in public school. I sent him to private school where they recognized his ...Read more
Remarried Widower Unsure About His Final Resting Spot
DEAR ABBY: I lost my wife 14 years ago. We were married for 26 years. Our two children are now adults. I have since remarried and moved to another state. My children love and respect their stepmother. I have five step-grandchildren who live within 15 minutes of my current home. I love them, and they love me as well. My first wife's gravesite is ...Read more
Millennial Life: The Tables and Traditions That Form Our Lives
The victims of the shooting could have been at the table next to us at Olive Garden. Or, it could have been the shooters. It's hard to know.
The table had a group of young men, perhaps in their late teens or early 20s, wearing their grown bodies like oversized coats inherited from their fathers. My son and I shared the wall-length booth with ...Read more

Asking Eric: Teen struggles to balance school and work
Dear Eric: I am having some trouble with keeping up at school on my grades. I feel
like it’s because of my job and working five days a week but it feels like I cannot tell anyone that. If I tell my parents, they’re going to want me to quit my job and work on my schoolwork more, but I am just not ready to give up my privilege of making my ...Read more