Dear Queenie,
There is no love in my marriage anymore. We hardly ever talk to each other and we have separate bedrooms and I mostly stay in mine because it’s easier than being together.
Queenie, I’m sure things could be better, but what can I do?—Frustrated spouse
Dear Spouse,
Get professional marriage counselling with your spouse, or without them if they are unwilling to go, to help you learn how to make things better between you or, if that is not possible, how to go about dissolving the relationship.
Dear Queenie,
I like to read a book while I am eating my lunch, but very often a friend or co-worker will come and join me and start talking even though they can see I am reading. I know it is rude to read when someone is talking to you, but this is the only chance I have.
Queenie, I don’t bother them when they are doing a puzzle or talking on their phone. Why do they do it to me?—Faithful reader
Dear Faithful reader,
I hope this does not happen when you are reading my column!
Of course it is rude to read when you are sitting at a table with other people. However, when someone interrupts you when you are sitting alone and reading, just ask them to excuse you and go on reading.
Dear Queenie,
One of my relatives always comes late when I invite them for a meal, no matter what time I tell them in the invitation, and it spoils the meal for everyone else.
Queenie, how can I get them to come on time?—Fed-up hostess
Dear Hostess,
Do not make your other guests, or yourself if there are no others, wait for this late-comer. Start the meal at the designated time and when the late-comer shows up just serve them whatever everyone else is eating then. If the late-comer only shows up in time for dessert (or not even in time for that!), too bad for them. Hopefully, having this happen once or twice will teach them to be more punctual.
Dear Queenie,
My husband has a relative who was convicted for a sex offence and I don’t like having him visit our house with us and our children. I don’t like coming between my husband and his relative, but I have to think about keeping the kids safe.
Queenie, how do I make my husband understand?—Worried mother
Dear Mother,
Of course you (and your husband!) have to do what is best for your children. Both of you should keep a close eye on the children when this person visits you, and do not ever let him stay overnight.
Dear Queenie,
I love my wife, but she doesn’t like to have sex with me and she’s not very good at it when she does. I’ve tried to explain to her what I would like from her but she either doesn’t listen or doesn’t understand or just doesn’t care and things don’t get any better.
Queenie, what more can I do?—Frustrated husband
Dear Husband,
Have you given any thought to what your wife would like from you when it comes to sex? The two of you should see a marriage counsellor and/or a professional sex therapist and both of you should listen carefully to what that/those person(s) tell you.
