Dear Abby: Recently, while shopping, I witnessed a mother with her two young kids. One child was being quite loud, and the mother slapped her face hard, saying, “Because you haven’t got what you want, Quietly!” I thought about intervening, but I was hesitant to make things worse.
Dear Mother: Who’s acting out here—parent or child? Responsible parents don’t resort to slapping; they take their children out until they calm down. If this kind of behavior is happening in public, it’s concerning to think about what goes on behind closed doors. If it were me, I might have snapped a photo or taken down the car’s license plate to report her to child protective services for investigation.
Dear Abby: At social gatherings, I frequently get asked, “What was your profession?” I’m retired and prefer not to share my past job. Once I mention that, people tend to pigeonhole me, linking it to my financial status and lifestyle. That feels intrusive, and I would rather focus on the future than dwell on the past. I appreciate what I did before, but it doesn’t define me now. Can you suggest a courteous response to the question, “What was your profession?” – Not defined by my occupation
Dear undefined: There’s no requirement to discuss your previous career if you don’t want to. The next time someone asks, you could say, “I’m retired, but I prefer not to dwell on it.” smile If they’re persistent, you could joke, “I don’t really use four-letter words in public.” This opens the door for them to share what they do instead.
Dear Abby: Three years ago, we lent our sister $10,000, and she has only repaid a tiny amount. She had said she’d pay it back within six months. Now, she avoids my calls, even on holidays, and we haven’t communicated in months. We were close before, but this money has clearly affected our relationship. It’s frustrating, and I wish it weren’t like this. What should I do? – Too generous in California
Dear too generous: If you have a signed memo detailing the loan and repayment terms, you may have some leverage. After a lengthy period without payment, you might need to consult a lawyer. You should consider setting up a repayment plan. If she has any assets, that could complicate things. Good luck navigating this situation. If there’s no notarized agreement, you might be learning a costly lesson.
Dear Abby was created by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was initially founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Please reach out to Dear Abby at http://www.dearabby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
