Dear Queenie,
When my wife and I got married we agreed that our children from our first marriages could live with us as long as they were in school and getting passing grades. Now all but one of them are out of school, out on their own and out of the house.
The last one, my daughter, is going to college and still living with us. She gets very good grades, has a part-time job and pays for her own car insurance, cell phone bill, etc., and has study financing for her tuition, but now my wife says it is time she either moves out or starts paying us for rent and food.
Queenie, is this right? It doesn’t cost us much to have her living with us and it’s not as if we need the money and it would mean she would have to drop out of school. I think it’s just because my wife doesn’t much like my daughter.—College girl’s father
Dear Father,
Would your wife agree to pay for your daughter to live in a dormitory or get an apartment of her own? Could your daughter pay a small amount for “rent and food” that would make your wife happy?
Your wife is in the wrong here. The two of you had an agreement and now she is trying to back out of it.
Dear Queenie,
I always send family and friends a card on special occasions even if I don’t send a gift. I usually get a thank you note for gifts but nobody ever mentions getting a card.
Queenie, what is the etiquette for that?—Greeting card Etty Ket
Dear Etty Ket,
A card should be acknowledged with a phone call or e-mail or even just a text message, to let the sender know it was received and appreciated.
If you do not get any response to a card you have sent, it is okay for you to ask the person whether they received it.
Dear Queenie,
My boyfriend’s brother and his son take care of my yard and fix things in my house. I make a point of being friendly with them because they are like family.
Now the brother’s wife has gotten the idea that I am having an affair with her husband. I have told her that is not so and that I am faithful to my boyfriend, but she doesn’t believe me and is telling other family members about what she thinks is going on and some of them believe her.
Queenie, what can I do?—Not guilty
Dear Not guilty,
I hope your boyfriend is not one of the people who believes what his sister-in-law is saying about you. That being the case, he should stand up for you with the rest of his family, especially his parents.
Meanwhile, hold your head up with pride and go about your business with honesty.
Dear Queenie,
You had several letters recently (Thursday, October 11, and Monday, October 15) about people with bad body odor, with several suggested remedies. Each time you also told them to consult their doctor.
Queenie, that is good advice. Sometimes body odor is caused by a deficient diet and the doctor can prescribe supplements that will help solve the problem. Please pass this information on to your readers.—Medical professional
Dear Medical professional,
Done!
Dear Queenie,
I have a very successful career in a field that has a slight political connection and a relative who is prominent in politics.
One of my relatives on the other side of my family doesn’t like the politician and has a habit of making nasty remarks about them and about my only being so successful because of being related to that person.
Queenie, what’s a good reply that isn’t totally rude?—Offended
Dear Offended,
How about something along the lines of “That is what you always say” or “Lovely weather we’re having, isn’t it?” and then excuse yourself to go and do something as far away from that person as possible.
