Dear Queenie,
I’m divorced and I’ve started dating again. My question is, I have a son who is 9 years old and I’m not sure when I should introduce him to someone I’m dating.
Queenie, when is the right time?—Single mom
Dear Mom,
It depends on several factors. How mature is your son for his age? Does he know you are dating?
The men you date should know from the very beginning that you have a son. Any man who is scared off by that fact is not worth the time it would take to get to know him.
Your son should know when you go out that it is with a “date,” a man you are seeing at least casually. If you see the man often, your son may be curious about him. On the other hand, you do not want him to become attached to someone who may not be around for very long. Only you can decide when it is time for them to meet in person, and on what basis.
Dear Queenie,
My wife is much younger than I am and lots of times people who don’t know us think we are father and daughter, like in a restaurant the waitress will ask, “And what will your daughter be having?”
Queenie, should I say something to correct their mistake or just let it pass?—Older husband
Dear Husband,
If the waitress (or the waiter, as the case may be) is smart, she (or he) will not make any unwarranted assumption, but will simply ask, “And what will the lady be having?” But if she/he does make the mistake and you wish to correct it, you can just reply, “My wife will have ... .” ’Nuff said.
Dear Queenie,
Sometimes when I’m using a public restroom the person in the next stall will be talking on their cell phone all the time they are “going.” I think that’s disgusting!
Queenie, what do you think?—Offended
Dear Offended,
I agree with you.
I would be willing to bet the person using their cell phone while on the toilet would not hold a conversation with someone standing outside the door of their bathroom at home while they were on the toilet, and I certainly would not want to be the person on the other end of that conversation.
If nothing else, think of the “sound effects”! I guess you would call the cell phone user a real “party pooper.”
Dear Queenie,
My fiancé’s mother is a professional seamstress and she has offered to make my wedding gown.
Queenie, I think this is wonderful, but I am wondering if I should offer to pay for the material or just accept it as a gift?—Bride-to-be
Dear Bride-to-be,
You definitely should offer to pay for the material, but if she refuses you should accept her generous gift with heartfelt thanks.
Dear Queenie,
I’m in high school and volunteer with a local service group. I always call my supervisors “Mr.” or “Mrs.” but some of them sign their e-mails to me with their first name.
Queenie, does this mean I should call them by their first name when I talk to them or e-mail them?—Respectful teenager
Dear Teenager,
It is more polite to use the respectful title in addressing an adult. However, if you would like to be less formal, you could ask the ones who sign their first name for permission to use it rather than the formal title.
