Dear Abby: My daughter “Kate,” who’s 22 and just graduated, has been in a 5-year relationship with a young man I truly care for. But I just discovered she’s now seeing someone else—her boss, who’s 54. Her sister told me this in confidence, so I’m bound to keep it quiet. Honestly, I feel quite disgusted, but speaking up could ruin the trust between my daughters. What should I do? — east’s fed up mom
Dear Mom: My suggestion is to take a step back and let things unfold. The reality will eventually surface. Maybe the boss’s wife will find out, and Kate will have to look for a new job, or her boyfriend might learn about it and choose to end their relationship. Life lessons can be tough, and Kate will have to face hers.
Dear Abby: Our grown grandson is organizing a trip to our lake house with three friends. We only know one of them very well. They’ll be enjoying various activities on the lake, and since we lack experience, my husband will be operating the boat.
I’d prefer they handle their own meals and bring their own supplies, but my husband believes I should supply groceries, meals, and participate in cleaning up afterward. This has turned into quite a debate between us. How do I address this? — irritated grandma
Dear Grandma: Here’s a thought: Let your husband know that you don’t want to bear the full weight of feeding five adult men throughout their stay. Suggest preparing a “welcome dinner,” but if he feels they deserve more, he can take care of the rest.
Dear Abby: I regularly visit a small local restaurant where the owner also serves. I believe her husband or son is the chef. We’ve built a nice rapport, even receiving “free” desserts on occasion. However, I’ve started feeling that I’m essentially overpaying, as the bill includes a suggested tip, despite the owners not being traditional employees. What’s the proper etiquette for tipping in this scenario? — imprisoned in florida
Dear Confused: Since this is a “small” restaurant, it sounds like a cozy spot. If you enjoy the ambiance and the food, there’s really no reason to grumble about tipping the owner. If a tip is not customary, then it likely won’t be indicated on the bill. The choice on how much to tip is in your hands.
