ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a woman in my 20s, and lately, my self-esteem has taken a serious plunge. Just a year ago, I felt confident, vibrant and happy with who I was. Recently, though, things have shifted, and I find myself constantly comparing myself to other women, whether it's their looks, careers or social lives. It feels like I can't measure ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a long train journey to work each day, and I always gravitate towards the "quiet carriage." But invariably, there are some passengers who believe the rules have no application to them.

They believe that they, for no blindingly obvious reason, sit above and outside the rules. They carry on loud, pointless conversations ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have a 47-year-old son who lives with me. He pays no rent, and he does not help with the bills. He does help with some of the yard work and housecleaning, but he ignores it if I ask him to help with something that I would like. For instance, he failed to install a Dish network while I was away.

He lies in bed for weeks and months ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I've been with my boyfriend for a year and a half. We broke up for a while, but got back together and have been doing great, and we got engaged six months ago. Last week, we had a huge fight, where all my bottled-up resentment came out. I have tried to communicate my needs, but while he changes briefly, things always revert back to ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister and I have not spoken for a few months, and I'm really heartbroken over it. We've always been close, but an argument has driven us apart. The fight started because she feels like I never let her finish speaking when we have conversations. I admit that I can get excited or passionate when we're talking, and sometimes I ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am the mother of a trans man who transitioned in his 30s. When people I haven't seen for a while ask about my daughter, I of course tell them that he is now a man.

I've been asked what surgeries he has had, and several people have even asked me if he has a penis! I was so surprised the first time this happened that I was ...Read more

Dear Annie: How do I convey to my adult married children that I do not like being around my ex for the holidays? My son lives several states away, and he invited my daughter and her family, my ex, and my wife and me for Thanksgiving together. This will be the first time in close to seven years that I will see both of my children together for a ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: When my son got married in 2003, we had many good times with him and his wife. Things have changed now that we have cellphones. It's nearly impossible to have a relationship with her because when they come to our home, she's always on her phone! My son talks to his dad, and I'm left sitting there wondering what I should do.

Would you...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend and I recently got into a huge fight, and I'm still feeling upset about it. During our argument, he called me privileged, and it really struck a nerve. I've worked hard for everything I have in life. I grew up in a small town with parents who loved me deeply but didn't have much to their name. I put myself through ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My partner and I like to entertain, and we have the means to do so regularly. We often invite neighbors over, but we omit one specific neighbor (whom we see regularly) because he is very vocal about his political opinions. We try our best to keep our social events lighthearted and fun.

I feel bad that we haven't invited this ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband of 19 years had an office gathering at our home in mid-August. He has been at his job for 18 years and switched departments four years ago. I had never met any of the current team members due to my work schedule.

One of his teammates, when introduced to me, grunted when she met me. My heart sank.

As I worked my way ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: For the third time in my life, I am being shunned by long-term friends. Over the years, I have expended a great deal of time and effort to stay in touch with them. Back when we lived in the same places, we were very close. Ultimately, I moved away but always stayed in touch.

These friendships have spanned decades and, since we rarely...Read more

DEAR SUSAN: Your "true or false" quiz really has me thinking!

You ask us to respond to the statement "Men and women cannot be friends; they're too dissimilar." I find that to be both true and false. Men I've already had a relationship with can continue our friendship but at arm's length. The emotional closeness I feel with female friends simply...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: This Thanksgiving was an absolute disaster. I've been dating my boyfriend for a year, and this holiday felt like the perfect time to introduce him to my family. I was nervous because, while I love them, my family is known to be a little unconventional. They're loud, opinionated and tend to say exactly what's on their minds, no ...Read more