ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: Our daughter wants to go away for a study-abroad program this summer. She is in high school, and her only real experience being away from home is the occasional sleepover and sometimes spending a week with her grandparents. Yes, my husband and I are very protective of her. Plus, she hasn't expressed interest in summer camp or ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: There are many examples of technology and bad behavior merging, and I ask for your opinion regarding one that bothers me: people locking their vehicles by pressing the key fob twice, which causes the vehicle to omit a loud chirp.

All one has to do to lock a car is push the button inside the door, or at most, push the fob once...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been seeing this guy since early December. He's perfect in every way, except he seems to be attached to this one woman, "Suzy," who he became good friends with due to unfortunate pasts connecting the two of them. Since the very beginning, he has always been honest with me about his platonic relationship with Suzy.

While I have ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I've been married to "Chuck" for 40 years. We've had a fairly decent life together, even though Chuck drank heavily for 35 of those years. Now, as we enter our twilight years, he has experienced various medical problems, which have prompted him to stop drinking altogether. Although this is a good thing, I still would like to have a ...Read more

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 women, up from 23 for men and 21 for women in 1970.

In addition to putting off marriage, millennials are also more likely to be ...Read more

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

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

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

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

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

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