Horoscope >>

Happy Birthday (March 14):

Be ready to take action and get things done. Focus on your goals and doing the things that bring you the most joy. Take control of your life, and refuse to let what others do dictate what you can accomplish. Your numbers are 5, 13, 19, 24, 31, 36, 45.

Birthday Baby: You are enthusiastic, determined and innovative. You are energetic and impatient.

Aries (March 21-April 19):

Make kindness, compassion and mindfulness your intents, and you’ll avoid upset and anxiety caused by a misunderstanding. Show someone you love how much you care. \*\*\*

Taurus (April 20-May 20):

You’ll feel better once you have everything in order. The freedom you gain will lift your spirits and ensure that you reduce worry and stress. Don’t worry about what others do; focus on what brings you peace of mind. \*\*\*

Gemini (May 21-June 20):

Charm, a well-thought-out plan, discipline and hard work will pay off. Set your sights on something you want to pursue, and don’t stop until you reach your destination. \*\*\*\*

Cancer (June 21-July 22):

Get past emotional anguish, and delve into what matters most to you. Personal growth, spirituality, educational pursuits and nurturing a relationship with someone you love will lead to positive changes and a better future. \*\*

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22):

Take a chill pill and stop letting other people interfere with your plans. Making a change to please someone else will not help you dismiss the existing problems. Be honest about what you want. \*\*\*\*\*

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):

Less criticism and more encouragement will win favors. If you want to change, you have to go about it the right way. A partnership that offers freedom of opinion will stand a better chance than one dominated by one party. \*\*

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Put your energy to work for you. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to get things done and to enhance your life. Communication will lead to new ideas. \*\*\*

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A creative outlet will encourage you to look at life differently and project a way to achieve a lifestyle that makes you feel good about yourself and your relationships with others. \*\*\*

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):

Speak for yourself, and correct anyone offering misinformation about you, a friend or a family member. Your diligent approach to how you want to live your life will save you from someone’s meddling. \*\*\*\*\*

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):

Working alone will allow you to get more done in a shorter period without interference. Don’t present what you have to offer prematurely or under emotional duress. \*\*

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):

Consider what makes you happy, and entertain ways to turn what you love to do into a moneymaking operation. Channel your energy into home improvements. \*\*\*\*

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20):

Put pizazz into everything you do. Share feelings, make suggestions and find out who will pitch in and help. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you — and vice versa — and success will follow. \*\*\*

A few years ago, I was riding my motorcycle and pulled into a parking lot. I noticed a woman coming out of a coffee shop and pausing to look at me. Yes, I looked at her for a brief second as I parked. I then pulled out my phone and looked up my destination, still sitting on my bike.

This woman came up to me and said hi. I said hi back, and then she proceeded to ask me if I could take off my helmet — she said she wanted to see how old I was because the helmet always throws her off. I thought, “You have some nerve!”

I wonder what you would think, Miss Manners, if I walked up to your car window and knocked and said, “Hi, could you roll down your window so I can see if you’re pretty or young enough for me?” I bet that would go very well.

This isn’t the only incident that I have experienced with brazen women, but it is the most egregious.

Dating in the U.S. is one-sided. The average woman has 100 messages in her dating apps and the average guy has seven. It truly is a woman’s world and us average guys are left feeling like we areondisplay,or like we are back in elementary school, hoping someone will pick us in a game of Red Rover, but never getting picked.

Please advise me where I can find a woman who values the content of my character more than the beauty that I have, which is only skin-deep.

GENTLE READER >> The argument that this is a woman’s world — and that men are only regarded for their looks — is not going to gain much traction, Miss Manners is afraid. Nor make you any more popular.

However, it is true that no human, of any gender, should be treated as you describe. In your situation, you might have said, “I beg your pardon? My helmet is on for my own protection” and left the impertinent woman to ponder from what — or whom — you were actually being protected.

DEAR MISS MANNERS >> I live in a condo, and the upstairs tenants have three children. I understand that kids generate a lot of laundry, but on some occasions, they run their washing machine late at night and it interrupts my sleep.

I was going to write a note asking that they please refrain from using their washer after 10 p.m. because it is noisy and prevents me from sleeping. Is thereabetterwaytosay this?

GENTLE READER >> With three children living above you, Miss Manners considers you lucky that only the late-night laundry is costing you sleep.

You might point that out in your note, thereby making it all the more gracious: “You and your children are so thoughtful and light-footed that it pains metoaskyou,butwould it be possible to run the washing machine during earlier, waking hours?” Then quietly rest up for the children’s adolescence.

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