Dear Queenie,
One of my relatives has a habit of going through my desk drawers and reading my personal papers when she visits me.
She thinks I don’t know what she is doing, because she always does it when I go to the bathroom or I’m busy in the kitchen or answering the phone in the other room, but I can tell because she never puts things back exactly like I had them. Besides, sometimes I’ve seen her through a crack in the door or reflected in a mirror.
Queenie, she’s a nice person and helps me out a lot and I don’t want to quarrel with her, but I value my privacy and there are limits. How should I handle this?—Feeling invaded
Dear Feeling invaded,
There is no need to quarrel with this woman or to put up with her prying into your affairs. Just move all your personal papers, anything that you object to her seeing, to a room where she can’t get at them. Or, you could put a lock on your desk, if it doesn’t already have one, and keep it locked up whenever you are not using it. In fact, it might be a good idea to do both.
If Snoopy has the gall to comment or ask about the change in your habits, tell her the truth: You have reason to believe someone (you don’t have to say who) has been going through your things without your permission and you want to insure your privacy.
