Dear Queenie,
My husband has a habit of being late for everything we plan to do. When it’s just us it’s not a problem, but when we’re late for a special event or something like the Sunday church service, everybody is watching us when we come in and I know we are disturbing them from what is supposed to be going on.
Queenie, how can I get him to be on time?—Fed-up wife
Dear Wife,
Some people have difficulty organising themselves, but some people like arriving late because they like the attention they get when they arrive.
If you cannot get your husband to be ready to go in time to get wherever you are going on time, go ahead without him (be sure to arrange transportation for him to get there whenever he is ready) and save a place for him for when he eventually arrives.
Dear Queenie,
A boy I know at school asked me out for a date, but I never thought about him as a boyfriend and I said no. He didn’t say anything more, and I haven’t changed my mind, but I think maybe I hurt his feelings.
Queenie, how can I make this situation better?—Concerned
Dear Concerned,
This boy may have just wanted someone to hang out with, or company at some event.
Tell him you are not yet interested in dating, that you hope you did not hurt his feelings and want to apologise if you did.
Dear Queenie,
You are most times bombarded by problem questions only. Today I want to say something different.
I was in St. Maarten in the vicinity of the GEBE building not too long ago, hoisting 2 heavy suitcases and sweating like a horse in the hot sun.
I was standing on the curb, heading to my parked car. Many cars stopped voluntarily, and I was not even at a zebra crossing, with offers to let me cross the road and questions of if I was feeling well.
Goodness still exists. Give Jackie his jacket.—Dr. Odongo (Ret.), St. Eustatius.
Dear Dr. Odongo,
I am sure all those courteous motorists will remember you. On their behalf, thank you very much for publicly expressing your appreciation of their courtesy. And I thank you for using my column to do it.
Dear Queenie,
My best friend has joined an activity group at school and now the only time I see him is in class or when he’s with that group that I don’t know and I have trouble making new friends because I’m bashful with people I don’t know and my friend doesn’t introduce me to them or try to include me in their activities.
Queenie, I miss hanging out with my friend. What can I do?—Lonesome
Dear Lonesome,
Common interests are often the basis for friendship. You could make an effort to join your friend’s activity group, or another group involved in an activity that interests you. The more you get involved in such interests, the less you will miss your friend – and you will make more friends.
Dear Queenie,
My wife is usually on the quiet side, but when we go to a party or some such social event she sometimes drinks too much and gets too loud – cheerful, but still drunk.
Queenie, is there anything I can do about it?—Disgusted husband
Dear Husband,
When your wife goes to her doctor for a checkup you can discuss your concerns with her doctor. You could also record her behaviour on your cell phone and show it to her when she is sober so she can “see herself as others see her” – and hope it helps.
