The first letter to Dear Abby describes a situation where a father’s millionaire son never pays for anything when they go out as a family, even criticizing the father’s tipping habits despite not offering to supplement the tip himself. The father, a retired teacher, finds the idea of tipping exorbitant amounts for short service to be ludicrous and is frustrated by his son’s behavior. The son insists on a 20% tip minimum, causing tension within the family. The father is at the point where he no longer wants to go out with the family due to the constant criticism.
Dear Abby responds by acknowledging that tipping standards have changed in recent years, with 20% or more becoming the norm. However, she points out that the son criticizing the father’s tipping habits while not contributing himself is incredibly rude. Abby advises the father and his wife to confront the son about his behavior and explain how disrespectful it is. The father should not feel obligated to conform to his son’s standards if the son is not willing to contribute to the tip.
The second letter involves a single woman who has been dating the same man for 13 years, having never cheated on anyone. She mentions how many of her friends’ male friends hit on her, but she always shuts them down. One day, the husband of a couple she knows, who she hired to build a deck, hit on her. She rejected him, feeling heartbroken and disappointed by his behavior. The woman is conflicted about whether to inform the man’s wife about his advances and how to handle the situation moving forward.
Dear Abby advises the woman to find someone else to complete the deck project and pursue a refund through small-claims court if necessary. Abby suggests that going to the man’s wife may not yield the desired outcome, as she may not react as expected. The woman should prioritize her own well-being and ensure that the project is completed satisfactorily, even if it means cutting ties with the unfaithful contractor. By taking steps to resolve the situation independently, the woman can protect herself and move forward from the disappointment.
