ArcaMax

Dear Annie: After nine years of waiting for him to propose, I finally decided to take matters into my own hands and popped the question myself. His response? He said he'd need to "see what his finances look like" -- and then a week later, he broke up with me via text.

Looking back, it's painfully clear: If he doesn't ask, he doesn't want to. ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been friends with another couple for 15 years. We would see each other once or twice a week, alternating between each other's home and occasionally out to dinner, where we took turns paying the bill.

Three years ago, we bought our dream home, and since then, our friends have stopped inviting us over to theirs. ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently went on a first date with a guy, and I'm trying to decide if I should give him another chance. On one hand, he was kind and respectful toward me, which I really appreciated. However, there were a few things that made me feel unsure about whether I want to continue seeing him.

First, he invited me out for drinks, and I...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the proper etiquette for disembarking a plane when the aisles are full and someone's bag is several rows behind them?

I was getting off a flight when a couple in the row in front of me tried to get other passengers to retrieve their large carry-on bags from the overhead compartments, four rows back, and pass them up ...Read more

Dear Annie: I just wanted to say thank you for keeping an open mind.

I've noticed that, on different occasions, readers sometimes challenge you or want to "add to" some of your answers based on their education or personal experiences.

You are willing to keep an open mind and welcome the input. For that, I say, BRAVO!

Of course, not all of the...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have started seeing someone I've known for years. On our first date, he told me he had tried multiple times to divorce his ex of many years. He said they live in different states, and each time he's tried, something has gone awry.

I'm about to start nursing school, and what I want is a relationship of convenience to work around my ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: At the beginning of last year, I met the man of my dreams. He continues to amaze me in more ways than one: He prioritizes me; he's really considerate and affectionate; he's accomplished and ambitious; AND he's hilarious. Lately, though, I've been having some concerns about what our future will look like. He has three children ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: A friend from college works in Europe now and asked to stay with me for 10 days when he was here visiting. I made sure he had fresh towels every day.

His first day here, he flooded my bathroom floor while taking a shower (he said he "forgot how shower curtains work") and called for help. I quickly grabbed a towel and threw it...Read more

Dear Annie: I have a very dear friend who is like family. I am 20 years older than she is, and at times I feel more like a surrogate mother than a big sister.

I know she has mental health problems, including anger management, trust issues, obsessive-compulsive disorder and, at times, I think, narcissistic tendencies. But she truly is a good ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have four kids, so there are many, many appointments to make and keep. We both have full-time jobs, so we split up the responsibilities by category; I get the pediatrician visits, and he does orthodontist and dentist. This works fine for me, but for some reason, these offices are stubbornly unwilling to communicate ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: One of my friends recently made a comment while we were hanging out and looking at pictures from earlier this year. Out of nowhere, she pointed to one of the photos and said, "It looks like you've gained a few pounds since the first day of the year." To be honest, she's not wrong. This year has been extremely stressful for me in ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I are frequently invited to another couple's parties. We are all gay, male seniors.

One member of this couple seems to be going through some cognitive issues. He tells everyone assembled the same lengthy jokes and goes on and on about his religious and political views, always offending some present.

We have ...Read more

Dear Annie: I just finished reading the letter from "Caged Bird," and my heart broke for her. The reason is because I lived that same life, and her letter could have been my own.

What was done to her by her mother and to me by my mother were not the products of "motherly love" or "misguided motherly concern." These were the actions of a ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My siblings and I are estranged. I live in a different state. My brother and I never got along and stopped speaking many years ago. My older sister and I, after a long, toxic relationship, finally had a blowout after Dad passed. We haven't spoken since. My younger sister took my older sister's side and doesn't speak to me either.

I ...Read more

Realizing that sex is an integral dimension of well-being, I will incorporate sexual fulfillment into my singleness in ways that mesh with my personal morality.

Being of adult age and with a reasonable amount of life experience, I will aim toward being both sexual and autonomous, assuming full responsibility for my decisions.

I will adopt a ...Read more