DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: We have just recently been able to get into my grandmother’s senior apartment building since the beginning of COVID. While we were visiting with her in her apartment for the first time, a man we had not met before stopped in to ask if my grandmother was going to the bridge group that plays two or three times a week. Most of the people in it are in their 70s, like my grandma, or early 80s. The new man is only, I’d say, in his mid-60s.

After he left, my grandmother told us he seems to be very popular with all the ladies, including from what we clearly saw my grandmother, who has been on her own for six years, since my step-grandpa passed.

I just don’t trust this guy. He was very flirty with my grandmother, and when I said something about that, she said he is always like that.

The next time we visited, we ran into one of my grandma’s friends, who doesn’t play bridge. I asked her about this new guy, who was once again knocking on my grandmother’s door 10 minutes into our visit. She said there are rumors about this man hitting up the women for money or sex, or both.

I think he’s a creep taking advantage of lonely women. How do I tell my grandmother to be careful and protect herself? --- FEARING A GIGOLO HAS MOVED IN

DEAR FEARING A GIGOLO HAS MOVED IN: Since your grandmother and the other women in the bridge club have been grown-ups for a long time, you need to give them credit for being able to take care of themselves.

That said, a little casual flirting is one thing. Taking advantage emotionally, sexually, and/or financially is something else, especially if there are any mental or physical issues involved.

If you continue to be uneasy about this man, you might want to talk to your grandmother to gauge her true feelings toward him and determine if there’s likely cause for any real worry.

Also, if any of your grandmother’s children are in the picture and not already cued into your concerns, you could share your observations with them. Having more people keeping an eye on things could end up providing peace of mind for those who genuinely care for your grandmother.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My husband and I have always had nicknames for each other, going back to when we were first dating. They’re something we usually only use when it’s just the two of us.

My older sister has been seeing a guy, who she seems serious about. I have no issues with him, except that he introduced my sister to the world of public nickname using. They never call each other by their real names, but instead use what I consider way too personal nicknames all the time. You could choke on the cutesy factor.

I’m really glad my sister has found a nice man, but I also really don’t want to have to listen to them using their nicknames constantly. Is this worth a mention to my sister, or should I just suck it up and ignore it? --- HATE THE CUTESY FACTOR

DEAR HATE THE CUTESY FACTOR: If it seems like it’s just you who’s suffering from cutesy overload, it might be best to keep it to yourself.

If, however, you’ve noticed others reacting to the practice as unfavorably as you do, it could possibly save your sister and her boyfriend some embarrassment down the road to hear about the problem from someone she loves and hopefully trusts is acting in her best interest. I’d approach the subject with just your sister, privately and gently. The lovebirds may be oblivious of how much their use of nicknames is annoying those around them.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I’ve known for a long time that my wife had at least one serious relationship before ours, but at our rehearsal dinner, her dad mentioned something about her previous fiancé. This was big news to me that she had been engaged before, but given everything going on at the time, I had to put it to the back of my mind.

After we were done with all the wedding stuff, I had time to try and figure out why this little detail was never shared with me. I don’t care that my wife was engaged before. I do mind that she never felt the need to tell me.

So far, I haven’t said anything to her. But now the more I think about it, the more I think I have to clear the air. Do you agree? --- THE SECOND FIANCÉ

DEAR THE SECOND FIANCÉ: It’s obvious this is becoming an important issue to you, and one you need to deal with so you can move forward in your marriage. My advice is that if you decide to broach the subject, think long and hard about how you do it. Communication is key to any lasting marriage, but so is respecting your partner’s feelings and privacy.

While I can see why you’re upset, your wife’s life before you were in it is her business. Have you shared with her every aspect of your past before you and she were a couple? Besides, she may have good reasons for not wanting to revisit the details of her earlier engagement.