Q: I met a woman online a few months ago. We exchanged numbers and have texted nearly every day since. (She lives in Spain; I live in the United States. We are both in our 20s.) What started as an online sexual fling has evolved into something more: We use
Is my online fling holding me back from dating in real life?
Q: When I was in elementary school, my dad ran off with his secretary in an unoriginal move. We saw little of him. A kind neighbour stepped up. He even took me to a father-daughter dance at school. Fast-forward 20 years: My mother invited him to my wedding last summer. He gave us a generous cash gift. But I just learned he is an election denier. Should we return the gift? - Jan
A: I am sorry that your kindhearted neighbour is susceptible to baseless conspiracy theories. But what does that have to do with anything? He was invited to your wedding. Unless you left out something major, he didn’t make a stink about politics, and he gave you a generous gift. Write him a thank-you note and move on.
They don’t speak. Their relatives won’t shut up.
Q: I have been totally estranged from my brother for years. I am relieved to be free of him, and he feels the same. So why do relatives, friends and acquaintances insist that I reach out to mend fences? Most of these people have no idea of the cruelty I endured for years, but they harp on the importance of family. They may be well meaning, but their intrusiveness agitates me. How can I politely insist that they back off? - Brother
A: News flash: Most of the people urging you to make up with your brother don’t really care what you do. Lifelong relationships are few, and many people dislike hearing about rifts within families, so they push for reconciliation. I tell you this to relieve your distress: Their insistence is probably not personal.
You know the pros and cons of having your brother in your life better than anyone, and you’ve made your call. Now, if you are the one sharing your estrangement, stop it! You are inviting unwanted concern. If others bring it up, say: “Let’s talk about something else. My relationship with my brother is complicated.” That should do the trick.
Who said this was a speed course?
Q: For weeks, I planned a special meal at a good restaurant with my sister. I envisioned three courses: a cheese plate, a starter and a main course. I booked an early table so we could spend a couple of hours catching up and savouring our meal. The place wasn’t busy, but the waiter brought out all the food at the same time — so we ended up wolfing everything down. What should I have done? I was too flummoxed to say anything once the plates were on the table. - Diner
A: At this moment in history — having watched waiters become front-line workers during the pandemic and having survived the James Corden egg yolk omelette affair — I hope we can all agree that servers deserve respect. That doesn’t mean they won’t make mistakes (often caused by misunderstandings in the kitchen), only that we shouldn’t act like monsters when they do. Next time, say: “We prefer one course at a time. Please leave the cheese and take the rest for now, OK?” Problem solved!
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Written by: Philip Galanes
©2022 THE NEW YORK TIMES