Ask Polly

Get your advice from fast-talking media star Polly Gillespie

QMy husband is very impatient and recently when I couldn’t give a definite answer as to what time I was meeting a friend, he went behind my back and called her himself as according to him, “I needed to make plans!” He sees nothing wrong with this, but I am furious.

Butt Out!, via email AGawd, that does sound very, very controlling. Your husband’s behaviour seems incredibly strange. I’d be annoyed by it, but more than that, I’d be alarmed. QI share an entrance in my apartment block with one other neighbour and they continue to leave rubbish outside their door – cardboard boxes, broken tiles and even an old rusty teapot! Am I within my rights to throw this stuff out or is that seen as “trespassing”?

Trash Clash, Auckland AWell, you have two options: 1. Ask them to remove it and risk rejection or 2. (This is my fave!) chuck it out and then if they’re upset, say, “Oh, my, I’m so sorry. I was just trying to be helpful!” It’s easier to get forgiveness than permission!