Short Answers / IN A WORD

By Jeff Johnson and Paula Forman

Dear Short Answers:
I don’t have a great memory for remembering people if I only met them at a big party or something. Sometimes when I introduce myself to someone, they say “We met before at so-and-so’s party.” And I will apologize for not remembering. Unless, of course, I didn’t go to so-and-so’s party and I will say they must be mistaken. But the other night at a party, I introduced myself to someone and she said “Oh no, we met at my husband’s memorial service last May.” I didn’t know what to say because I did not know her husband and I definitely did not attend his memorial service. So I just smiled and apologized. It seemed rude under these circumstances to correct the widow but I was still lying. Was I wrong to do what I did?
Maddy

Dear Maddy:
No.

A SHORT QUESTION

Dear Short Answers:
My daughter recently started dating someone who is abnormally short. I mean really, really short. I don’t mean to seem shallow but I know that short people have a harder time in this world than tall people do. How do I convince her that somebody of average height or taller would make a much better father for her children?
Mom

Dear Mom:
If you are looking for support for your point of view, you came to the wrong place. Examine your attitudes. Perhaps short people have a hard time because of people like you.

CLOSED MOUTHS DON’T GET FED

Dear Short Answers:
What’s the best way to handle a neighbor who parks all over your property during the holidays which is annoying to me and inconveniencing to my visitors. And what should his response be when notified?
Irritated

Dear Irritated:
A firm but polite note to your neighbor right now seems appropriate. As to his response — we can hardly wait!

 

GROWING UP

Dear Short Answers:
My son recently turned 26 and must now get his own health insurance. He’s lucky because he is young and healthy and he lives in a state where Obamacare is pretty inexpensive for him. But his philosophy is since he doesn’t own anything, they can’t force him to pay and he’ll get free care if anything happens. He’s probably right about that but how do I convince him that having health insurance is an important part of being an adult and something you should not live without? I could go ahead and buy it for him but I think this should be his responsibility.
Pops

Dear Pops:
Some Millennials see the responsibilities of adulthood as a multiple choice exercise. Part of having “adult” children is letting them choose. But make sure he understands the consequences of “waiting for something to happen” before he tries to get insurance.

YOU ARE DOING FINE

Dear Short Answers:
If you accidentally show up an hour early for a party, what’s the right thing to do? Help the host to get things set up? Walk around the block for an hour? Help yourself to a drink and try to stay out of the way?
Just Happened

Dear Just,
Any and all of the above sound swell to us.

 

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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