Woman discourages colleague dropping by
Dear Abby:
I lost my longtime job but have remained in contact with a few former co-workers, meeting for an occasional lunch or dinner. One woman in particular has been pushing to meet at my place. Abby, I’m not proud of where I live now, and I don’t want to have to explain this to her.
I don’t know an appropriate response that will keep our relationship cordial because I do value the times we see each other. Any suggestions? Downscale in Delaware Dear Downscale:
There are various excuses you can use if she wants to drop by. Your place might “not be presentable now,” or you might “not feel up for company,” or you are “in the middle of a project you need to finish,” or you will be “leaving shortly and don’t have time” that day.
If you rotate the deflections as needed, your friend may eventually get the idea. Dear Abby:
My wife and I were sitting in a restaurant. A woman, her boyfriend and two children were at the next table. The boyfriend was loudly verbally abusing the children (5 to 8 years old) for not eating “the food he had paid for.” Should I have called the police? Would it have made it worse? Night Out in Florida Dear Night Out:
Unfortunately, the police can’t arrest someone for verbal abuse. However, the manager of the restaurant should have stepped in because he was disturbing other diners.