Dear Queenie,
My husband and my sister’s husband were always good friends since before we all got married, and they continued to be even after we got divorced, so my sister and her husband continue to invite my ex, along with his new wife, to their family events even if I’m going to be there, so sometimes I have to see him and her there.
Queenie, is this right?—Offended divorcee
Dear Divorcee,
Your sister’s and her husband’s friendships are not really any of your business. If they were always friends with your ex you cannot expect them to stop seeing him just because you divorced him.
You can ask everyone not to invite your ex to functions that you will attend, but if you and your ex had children together you can expect to see him and his new wife at family functions now and then, so it would be best if you can learn to put up with them and try to enjoy the event in spite of their presence. After all, you may have divorced him, but your children did not.
Dear Queenie,
I don’t ever get a “thank you” note or phone call from my grandson when I give him a gift.
Queenie, why don’t his parents teach him to do better?—Fed-up grandparent
Dear Grandparent,
Do you send your grandson a “thank you” note or call him to thank him when he does something special for you or gives you a gift? Set a good example before you complain.
Dear Queenie,
My little children like to visit my husband’s mother, their grandmother, but his kid brother lives with her and he brings his girlfriend home with him and they talk a lot about sex, even in front of the children.
We tried to talk to Grandma about it and she said there is nothing she can do.
Queenie, what can we do?—Offended parents
Dear Parents,
First, be sure your brother-in-law and his girlfriend are not abusing or intimidating your mother-in-law. Then, let your husband talk to his brother and ask him and his girlfriend to watch out how they talk in front of your children – and you can hope that they will do so.
Dear Queenie,
My girlfriend’s father is difficult to get along with. He butts in on our conversations and wants to be included in everything we do.
Any suggestions, Queenie?—Fed-up boyfriend
Dear Boyfriend,
Get to know him better. Be patient, tolerant and kind. Do you have any mutual interests? If so, try to share them with him. Socialise with him when your girlfriend is busy. It will pay off in the long run.
Dear Queenie,
Everyone at the beauty parlor where I go is from another country and they all speak that language all the time to each other because they aren’t very good at English. I like their work but it’s hard to talk to them.
Queenie, what do you suggest?—Dissatisfied patron
Dear Dissatisfied,
Can you find another place where everyone speaks English very well and they do good work? Letting the people at your present place know that you are looking elsewhere might encourage them to improve their English.
