ArcaMax

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear Annie: Some years ago, I went to a nearby office supply shop, where I saw a local couple looking around. The woman, a local musician, had Alzheimer's, but she seemed to recognize me, so we began a conversation. I don't recall what it was about, but it was the silliest, most illogical and the most fun conversation I've ever had with anyone. ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am recently separated, and my divorce will be final soon. I have met a woman I didn't even know could exist. She's perfect for me. The problem is, she lives an hour and a half away and can't drive at night due to a medical condition.

I have fallen for her, and it's mutual. The issues are the distance and the fact that her father ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My neighbor sometimes seeks out my husband before she thinks to call me. She is a bit older than me and my husband, and we've been friends for the past 20 years or so, but I wonder why she is so fond of my hubby. She and I hang out sometimes, too, but the other night she seemed to be feeling ill and asked my husband to stop by ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am in my late 30s and childless, not by choice. I prefer to have a small circle of friends, but I have found it difficult to find other childless friends; statistically, most people my age have children -- especially in church settings, where I spend a lot of my time.

It often leaves me feeling like I don't fit in, as I ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been married to my second husband for 38 years. He's a good man, and I'm blessed to have such a wonderful husband and father to our daughter. We've had our ups and downs, but for the most part, he has been a gift from God.

So what's the problem? He is often condescending and patronizing toward me. He frequently interjects a ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: As I approach my mid-30s, many friends have paired off and gotten married. How do I manage friendships in which I'm close with one friend but don't enjoy spending time with their new spouse? While they are not overtly offensive, they're just not fun to socialize with.

Should I slowly pull away from the relationship over a couple of ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: There is someone in my life I care about deeply. She is kind to me and encourages me to pursue my dreams, travel more, explore new hobbies and a whole lot more. I show up for her, too, and do my best to be supportive, but I struggle with romance and affection. I've never been good at those things, and it never felt like a ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife and I entertain frequently. We get a lot of joy out of hosting longtime friends and family for holidays and special occasions. We are attentive to the vibe and move things along at a pace that matches it. Everyone always tells us we host lovely evenings and that they can't wait for the next one.

The problem is with ...Read more