Tattoo lover gets criticized

Dear Abby: My daughter recently celebrated her 20th birthday. She’s a good kid with a decent job who happens to like tattoos.

For her birthday, my in-laws sent her a birthday card. Usually their card includes a gift card, check or cash. This year, there was no gift but a note stating that they were not sending money as they felt she would use it toward more tattoos.

I understand their beliefs may be different, but their approach to the situation was not nice. When she read their note, my daughter broke down and cried.

Dear Trying: If they were really concerned that she would spend their gift money on a tattoo, they could have sent her a tangible gift – an item of clothing or a gift card from a specific retailer. Shame on them.

Dear Abby: I’m a 68-year-old divorced woman who has been dating a slightly older widower. We were beginning a nice relationship until he got mad at me for giving him a fever blister. He suggested we not see each other or talk for more than two weeks. After that, he texted me to see if my fever blister was gone. He said he was still sort of angry about it, and described how ugly and painful the blister was.

I feel he was really petty, and it has put a damper on things. Am I wrong to feel this way? What is your advice?

Dear Embarrassed: Your gentleman friend’s behavior wasn’t petty. The “fever blister” you gave him was a herpes virus. Before you see him again, talk to your doctor.