ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm a 30-year-old woman who's fallen hard for a man I feel doesn't truly love me. I've been with my partner for five years now, and while I love him dearly, I can't shake the feeling that he doesn't appreciate everything I do for us as a couple. I find myself going above and beyond to make our relationship work -- from planning ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a dear friend who lived in the same city I lived in for many years. Several years ago, I moved to the other side of the continent, and she now visits me once a year for seven to 10 days.

To my surprise, instead of sleeping in the bed in the guest room, she opts for the thick Persian rug on the floor. I only realized ...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm a mom and have been married for nearly six years. But for the past few years, my husband and I have not been on the same path. We can't communicate without fighting, bickering, arguing, etc. Our sex life has been nonexistent. And I have tried talking and suggesting that we do more things together. I have even tried losing weight ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am on a limited income. My younger sister, "Tara," is a medical professional with disposable income she spends on frivolous things. I have one son, age 13; she has three children, ages 14, 10 and 3. Tara and I live a few miles apart; our mother lives 60 miles away. My mother keeps my sister's kids every other week. She rarely keeps ...Read more

Let's say -- for argument's sake -- you're currently in a romantic relationship but a bit (or more than a bit) unsure about continuing it into the new year. You two made it through the holidays in survival mode, but now the togetherness is running on empty, at times not at all the "real thing" you dream of. Yet there's still the tug of the ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: This week, I invited one of my friends over to my apartment to have dinner. We were having a great time. As the night came to an end and she was walking out, I spotted a ring on her finger that looked familiar. I told her that I have a ring that looks just like that, and I asked if I could see it up close. I had accidentally ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Whose responsibility is it to empty pockets before pants go in the washer -- the wearer, or the laundry-doer?

I am the primary laundry-doer in my house, but I will generally just wash clothes in the state that they come to me. I don't turn things right-side out or empty pockets. I have laundered many coins, golf tees and ...Read more

Dear Annie: A few months ago, someone wrote to you about how uncomfortable the bad manners of children of a relative made her feel at large family gatherings and dinners. I read your column faithfully and did not see any readers' suggestions printed in the following weeks.

Of course, large family gatherings have not happened this past year due ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband's best friend, "Kevin," lost his wife three years ago. He's currently in a relationship with his niece (his deceased brother's daughter). Kevin is in his 60s; she's in her 50s. We find this disgusting and do not condone it. They are both from Portugal. Is this acceptable in other countries?

We have tried to discuss it with...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm feeling so lost and alone. My dog Georgie and I are inseparable, having grown up side by side and having created so many cherished memories together. Lately, he's been really sick, and the vet mentioned that it might be kinder to let him go peacefully to end his suffering. I just can't bring myself to make that heartbreaking ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: An acquaintance of mine has taken to writing poetry. It's awful: full of unnecessarily obscure words, commonplace observations presented as profundities, tedious self-ruminations, etc.

I've heard enough to last me a lifetime, but whenever I encounter this individual, they announce excitedly that they've written a new poem and...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been married for 26 years. I have a 24-year-old son at home on the autism spectrum, and his 4-year-old daughter, of whom he has full custody. They get by with my help, and money, of course.

I have always been a very loving and supportive husband. I cook, clean, do laundry and whatever else needs to be done. I'm getting older ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm a professional, well-educated adult who moved back home because of concerns about my father's health as well as having landed a much better job. As an extra perk, I've been able to save money to pay toward my student loans, as well as spoil my parents a bit as they grow older.

I recently gifted my parents (for the second time) ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel stuck, and I am not sure what to do. I have worked on and off for a few years now after having had a good job for decades. After my work situation changed, I stopped doing everything, including my taxes. I know today is Tax Day, but I have done absolutely nothing to file. It's almost like I took myself off the grid, but I'...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was taught to tip generously, and I don't mind tipping people who provide direct services: restaurant waitstaff, bellhops, spa workers, hairstylists, nail salon workers, hotel housekeepers, etc. However, I am confused about all the tipping requests I am presented with now.

For example, if I buy a hot chocolate or tea at the...Read more