One-upmanship isn’t helping this friendship

Dear Abby: I have a good friend I’ll call Josie. She’s kind, generous and always willing to help. There is only one problem— she lies.

The lies she tells are ridiculous. I find myself getting angry as she stumbles through her stories. If someonemakes a comment, she takes over the conversation and we hear a story about the same thing happening to her but much worse. I could say I climbedMount Everest and Josie would say she climbed it twice.

What can I say or do to get her to stop lying? I’m thinking of quietly ending my friendship with her. — Truth Wins in Tennessee

Dear Truth Wins: One person trying to convince her to stop probably won’t do the trick. Josie won’t quit lying until she finally hears it from others and realizes that it isn’t achieving the desired effect, which is standing front in the spotlight.

Tell Josie that what she’s doing is infuriating and that she’s doing herself no favors. But when you do, realize it will probably be part of a farewell speech.

Dear Abby: This letter is for people who are involved with folks who say they are separated. If you have feelings for someone who is separated, ASK when they plan on getting divorced. If they come up with excuses like there are children involved, property disputes or they can’t afford a lawyer, end the relationship.

“Separated” means STILL MARRIED. — Word of Warning in Virginia

DearWord: That’s pragmatic advice, and I hope readers will heed your warning. As anyone who has read my column knows, I have printed countless letters from heartbroken readers who wasted time and energy on partners who weren’t free.

Contact Dear Abby at www. DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.