Short Answers

By Jeff Johnson and Paula Forman

DON’T GET MAD, GET EVEN

Dear Short Answers:
My friend is cheap. There is no other way to say it. Cheap. Last one to pull out his wallet, always short on cash, never buys a present, and if he brings wine to my house it is so cheap — it’s undrinkable. This is such a long-term habit it’s hard to bring it up now but I find I get mad BEFORE I see him. Suggestions?
Pre-Mad

Dear Pre-Mad:
Next time you are out together, look him straight in the eye when the bill comes and tell him “this one is yours buddy.” Nothing to be done about his gift of cheap wine.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

Dear Short Answers:
My girl friend and I have been living together for about a year. It used to be my apartment but we now share the rent. My mom came to visit me for 5 days last month. We do have a second bedroom so there was enough room even though it gets pretty crowed with 3 people. About 2 days into her visit, my girl friend got into heated argument with my mom that ended up with my girl friend in tears for the entire day. That night, my girl friend told me that I had to tell my mom to stay in a hotel. I did, but it was the hardest conversation I ever had with my mom. What do you think she should have done?
Feeling bad

Dear Bad:
Call us old-fashioned, but we think no mother should be treated like that. Some moms are awesome and some are merely to be endured but if it is your custom to have your mom stay with you on a visit, and you agreed to this one, your girlfriend should have respected that. And you were an awful coward. No wonder you feel bad.

YOUR CALL

Dear Short Answers:
If your boyfriend ignores Valentine’s Day, forgets your birthday and believes that anniversaries aren’t important — is it time to get a new boyfriend?
No Presents

Dear No:
Well, if you are looking for trophies, then obviously you got the wrong guy. We think things like kindness, humor and intelligence are more important for the long run but you get to pick your poison.

WARM AND COZY

Dear Short Answers:
My son and his wife and his baby have been living with us for almost two years. To be honest, I haven’t really minded. Mostly. Now they say they are expecting another baby. Does this mean they will never move out?
Mom

Dear Mom:
Yes, they will never move out. Why should they? If this doesn’t suit you, you had better speak up.

A MILLION NAKED STORIES

Dear Short Answers:
Do you think having an affair is a deal breaker in a long marriage?
Asking for a Friend

Dear Friend:
We don’t think it needs to be, but it actually isn’t our opinion that matters on this one. Tell your friend there is a lot of work to be done to restore and repair.

Life is complicated.  Short Answers isn’t.

Send a question about whatever is bothering you to [email protected] or go to www.shortanswers.net and a psychologist and sociologist will answer.  A selection of the best questions will be printed every week in KonkLife.

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