Vintage vehicle draws attention at jobsite

Dear Abby: I drive a classic car to work every day at a construction site. Since I began working there this summer, people often ask me about selling it. Most of the time I take it as a compliment and tell them it is not for sale, but the same people often continue to ask. It is starting to get on my nerves. I have even seen people trying to open up the hood to see the engine while I’m off in the distance. I understand people asking about it is part of owning an old vehicle, but I do not have another car or mode of transportation, and I’m starting to get worried. – On Edge in Georgia

Dear On Edge: Tell the offenders (again) that your car is not for sale AND you do not want anyone touching it. If it continues to happen, tell your supervisor or your boss that someone trying to get into it “while you’re off in the distance” makes you concerned for the safety of your vehicle. There could be legal liability if your car is damaged. However, if you’re still not comfortable after that, change jobs.

Dear Abby: I am cleaning out my closet and have decided to sell my wedding dress from 21 years ago. I love the dress; it’s beautiful. But it’s a very large box to store. My 16-year-old daughter has made it clear to me she will never marry. It was difficult for me to accept, as she’s my only daughter. The thing is, she wants to try my dress on. I don’t want her to because she doesn’t agree with the sanctity of marriage or the commitment of it, and I don’t want my wedding dress tried on by anyone who feels this way about marriage. It means more than playing dress-up, and I believe it should be worn only by someone who respects it. Am I wrong? Does my daughter have a right to have hurt feelings over this?

– Not a Game of Dress-up

Dear Not: You are not wrong. But if you are trying to impose your values on your teenage daughter, I seriously doubt it will work. I wish you had mentioned why your daughter feels the way she does. Have you asked her that question? Rather than argue about whether she has a right to put on YOUR wedding dress, A discussion about what she thinks it symbolizes to you – as well as what trying it on means to her – might be more productive.

P.S. Because you are feeling cramped for space, consider donating the dress to a bride-to-be whose traditional values mirror your own.