Search

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I like to imagine that I'm a kind, patient person. That I embody calm when confronted with prickly personalities. That their aggravations roll off me like water off […]

There was a carpool mix-up: I thought it was my night to pick up the kids outside the gym; another parent thought it was his. "What happened?" he snarled, shaking […]

Offender No. 1: Your mother, who finds fault with your cooking. What to do: As hard as this may be, you should take the high road. Stay calm, thank her […]

Not long ago I watched a neighbor with her 2-year-old: "Let's go to the park now." "No." (Feet dragging along the sidewalk.) "I think we can catch up with Christie." […]

America's divorce lawyers preside over the breakups of millions of marriages every year. With their behind-the-scenes view of couples on the brink, they have a special understanding of why unions […]

In Love with a (Much) Older Man My 25-year-old sister tells me she's in love for the first time in her life with a 45-year-old man. He's nice but dull, […]

Cheating Husband When I married my husband, I didn't know he thought cheating was something every man had a right to do. My mother-in-law told me that both she and […]

OOPS! You introduce yourself to someone at work or at a party, and he tersely responds that you've met twice before. OPEN MOUTH, REMOVE FOOT "Of course I remember you--I'm […]

just as we need more than one lipstick in our beauty arsenal, so do we need our "broad squad" to help us survive the tribulations of work, marriage, and family--not […]

When Brian and Nina East decided to get divorced two years ago, Brian moved out, but not far. Two houses away, to be exact. Brian, an attorney, and Nina, a […]

We've all had them--they thrive on your troubles, and look for problems you didn't know you had. How to recognize them and protect yourself. SHE CAME TO MY HOUSE EVERY […]

Q A coworker often tells you that you look tired--and you're offended. Do you: (A) Say so, and ask her to keep her observations to herself (B) Make a joke [...]

Q My friend constantly sends me personal e-mails at work. I love hearing from her, but I can't reply and get my job done. How can I kindly ask her [...]

Q I can't stand it when people whisper in a movie theater--it's distracting and rude. How do I shush their sound track? There's nothing impolite about issuing one "Sshhh!" or […]

Q My friend always gives me unsolicited advice on diet, career, family--you name it. How can I tell her this bothers me without hurting her feelings? Think about the tone […]

Q My neighbor cuts his lawn with a power mower every Sunday at 7 A.M. I appreciate his nice-looking yard, but I hate being awakened at that hour. Is it […]

Should you confront a partying parent? One of the dads on your kid's soccer team drinks booze out of plastic cups at games Even though he's discreet, you still think […]

Q Whenever we go out, my friend seems to be strapped for cash. So she "borrows" a few bucks-but never pays me back. How do I tell her I'm sick […]

Q A woman in your work carpool keeps boasting about her kids, her husband--even her salary. It makes everyone uncomfortable. Do you: (A) Change the subject every time she begins […]

Q There's a strict policy against interoffice romance at your job, but you know that two of your coworkers are dating. Do you: A Wam them about the office policy […]

Your son invites a buddy on your family's skiing day trip. Are you obligated to cover his slope pass and equipment rental? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Yes "I'd pay for the child, […]

Q Your friend tells you she's inviting her husband to come on the movie night you planned as a gals-only affair. Should you: (A) Just let it go. It's not […]

Q We're hosting Thanksgiving dinner for a slew of our out-of-town relatives. Is it OK to ask some to stay at a hotel? Preparing a Thanksgiving feast is a major […]

Q My coworker always replies to e-mails with "Will do!" or "Thanks!"--unnecessary messages that clog my in-box. How do I ask her (nicely) to stop? Those accumulated e-mails can be […]

Q My coworker has been bringing her little boy to work (after his day camp) several times a week. He's sweet, but having him around is disruptive; what can I […]

Q A well-meaning acquaintance always gives your tween gifts that are age inappropriate, like perfume, sexually explicit music, and R-rated DVDs. Should you: A Say nothing, but take the gifts […]

Q One of my coworkers is constantly pushing chocolates my way. Sounds great, I know, but I'm on a diet and I've tried to ask her to stop-to no avail. […]

At the movies, a man with a hearing aid is clearly unaware of how loud his comments are. Can you tell him to keep it down? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Yes "I'd […]

1. A firm handshake 2. Handwritten thank-you letters 3. A sense of humor in a bad situation 4. Turning off your cell phone at the movies 5. Sincere compliments 6. […]

Recently, my best friend, Jennifer, lost 30 pounds. She looks great, but there's a part of me that is extremely jealous; I'd love to lose some weight, but I just […]

I love spending time with my girlfriend Ellie--it's just that it never seems to happen. Ellie is always canceling on me and making up various excuses for why she's not […]

Q: On Easter, we invite the whole family for brunch at our home after church. My son's girlfriend is Jewish; do you think she'd be offended if we invited her? […]

My husband and I have friends who often stop by our home unannounced and then stay for hours. Isn't this rude? Unannounced visits are always inconsiderate unless the parties have […]

1. All hosts love a surprise gift--including your mother and aunts. 2. Be willing to pitch in, but instead of asking the harried host how you can help, volunteer to […]

Q: My best friend recently announced that she's planning on getting a face-lift. But Joan is only 41, and she doesn't need anything done! I think she's crazy, and I'm […]

You're invited to a surprise baby shower for a long lost friend. The two of you never fought, you just drifted apart--and though you feel a little guilty admitting it, […]

Q: Your boss summons you to her office. When you arrive, she's on the phone with her college-age son, but she motions you to sit. Their conversation then escalates into […]

Q: My brother and his Japanese wife are coming from Tokyo for a visit. They'll be staying with me for a week, and I want my new sister-in-law to feel […]

Q: My friend Karen has lost about 25 pounds over the past year--but now she's constantly carrying on about how her size-eight pants are too loose ... and at the […]

There's a job opening at your office, and an out-of-work friend has been broadly hinting that you put in a good word for her. But you're not sure she's qualified. […]

Q: You hear through the grapevine that a friend's husband is very ill. You want to reach out to her, but you don't want her to think that people are […]

Q: I have a friend from work, Peggy, whom I've invited to parties at my home--she was even at my wedding two years ago. Recently, I learned that Peggy had […]

Q: Ever since my husband and I got married last year, he's been opening my mail. John says husbands and wives shouldn't have any secrets. But he's not just reading […]

Q: Recently, my mother-in-law showed my 15-year-old daughter pictures of my husband with his first wife, who divorced him. She hadn't known about this, and I feel that my mother-in-law […]

Q: Six months ago, my 14-year-old daughter announced she was becoming a vegan and would no longer eat meat, dairy, or eggs. We're a big family on a tight budget, […]

Q: After ten years of marriage, I still call my mother-in-law Mrs. Smith (her married name). It isn't as though I want to start calling her "Mom," but I'd at […]