Dear LFTP: the brother moving to town
- Did my husband do anything wrong calling my friend's brother obnoxious, and should he befriend him now that he is moving to town?
The first Dear LFTP letter: during a virtual happy hour, the writer's friend Darlene suggested the writer and her husband Alex befriend Darlene's brother Roy, who is moving to the area; Alex answered honestly that he doesn't like Roy and finds him kind of obnoxious, and Darlene confronted the writer two weeks later calling Alex rude. The hosts land on getting out of the middle, defending the non-committal maybe, and making peace rather than holding principle — including swallowing pride and calling to say no offense was meant. The Secular answer says Alex was honest but should have been more tactful, should apologize for the lack of tact, but shouldn't be guilted into interacting with Roy again.
More on Boundaries
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Dear LFTP: the mother-in-law moved in
- My mother-in-law moved in seven months ago and it’s been difficult — how can we sort this out?
The last letter comes from a wife whose mother-in-law moved in seven months ago with no boundaries, rising bills, unpaid prescriptions, and open disrespect.
From No. 604 · Rearview Mirror
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Dear LFTP: Ralph calls three or four times a week
- How can I get my retired friend Ralph to call less frequently without being rude?
The letter: 'Ralph,' a longtime best friend, retired and is bored, so he calls three or four times a week 'even when there's nothing new to talk about,' rehashing the same things; subtle hints haven't worked; letting it go to voicemail just earns a callback request.
From No. 602 · Relationship Counseling
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Dear LFTP: the senior-living handshake letter, and the close
- How can a senior-living resident politely decline the dining-room manager's handshakes?
Mike reads the second Dear LFTP letter: a senior-living resident whose dining-room manager (Manny) shakes hands at residents' tables, and who dodges with wet or greasy hands — how to decline politely?
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Dear LFTP: the fiance who games until 5AM
- What should the letter-writer do about her fiance's all-night gaming habit?
Mike reads a Dear LFTP letter from a woman engaged five years to Dustin, who games from 10PM to 5AM, skips chores, and gives her no attention; talking has not helped since 'he grew up gaming.'
From No. 598 · Emphasis | Accountability, Worship and Praying with Strangers