Dear Queenie,
I overheard a friend’s child bragging to their friends about how they got away with cheating on a test. My friend told me her child got an A on the test, much better than the child usually does. My friend was so happy that her child had done so well.
Queenie, should I tell my friend it was because the child cheated?—Undecided
Dear Undecided,
Yes, I think you should tell your friend what you overheard, so she can deal with her child appropriately before it happens again and the child gets caught, which could have serious repercussions.
However, be prepared – your friend may not want to believe what you heard, or that you heard it correctly.
Dear Queenie,
Why do women wear tight, skimpy, see-through and/or low-cut clothing that shows everything they’ve got inside it and then get mad when men stare at them? The men are only doing what comes naturally and if the women don’t like it they should cover up better.—Disgusted
Dear Disgusted,
The men may be “doing what comes naturally,” but courtesy often requires controlling one’s natural impulses.
Still, you do have a valid point about the way some women dress.
Dear Queenie,
My husband expects me to look at the caller ID and take his calls right away no matter what I am doing. I think I should give my complete attention to the person I’m talking to at that moment.
I do try to call him back as soon as the conversation I’m in the middle of is finished, but he thinks I should put him first, especially because he has a very busy schedule and he only calls me once a day.
Queenie, is he right?—Phone Etty Ket
Dear Etty Ket,
Ordinarily I would agree with you that the person you are already talking to should take priority. However, this is your husband, and you know how busy his schedule is, so in this particular case – for the sake of your marriage – I will agree with him.
You can always explain the situation to the other person and then call them back when your conversation with your husband is done.
Dear Queenie,
I have a friend who talks all the time, I mean ALL the time. They never stop when we’re together or on the phone. Other than that they’re really a nice person, generous and helpful, but the constant babble gets on my nerves.
Queenie, what’s a polite way to get them to shut up for at least a few minutes?—Fed up friend
Dear Friend,
Maybe your friend feels insecure and talks to cover it up, or maybe silence makes your friend uncomfortable, or maybe they think you find their conversation entertaining.
You could try asking for a moment or two – and time it with a clock – of silent meditation or prayer, but I doubt there is any polite way to shut them up for very long.
When you are on the phone with them you could just put the phone down for a minute or two or three. They might not notice.
Dear Queenie,
My parents are divorced and I hardly ever see my father. I know he has a very busy schedule because of his job, but when he does have some time off he does other things but doesn’t spend any time with me.
Queenie, how can I fix this?—Disregarded daughter
Dear Daughter,
Perhaps your mother and/or your father’s parents (your grandparents) can explain to him how important a father is in a girl’s life.
And if any of the “other things” your father does are things in which you also could take an interest and participate in – like volunteer work or a service club, for example – you might consider joining the group. That way, even if your father continues to ignore you, you will have other adults for companionship and to set a good example for you.
