Archives

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a regular reader of your column and enjoy it very much. It appears in the Post Express in Washington, D.C., and I check it every day while on the train.... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm new at my job, and I'm trying to get to know my colleagues. I've noticed that the director of my program doesn't greet me. So I asked around and learned from other new staff that h... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: To my surprise, I found out my church will not have its annual New Year's celebration this year. I was a bit taken aback by the sudden announcement. Now I'm scrambling to figure out ho... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm currently separated from my wife, and we have an 11-year-old son. My estranged wife lives in the same school district, and our son splits his time between our two houses.... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My family decided several years ago to adopt a family for the holidays. We find a family in need through our church and buy the things -- within our budget -- that they have requested.... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been in business for about a year and have a unique product I have been selling with some success. I have been working hard at setting up events where I can sell my product, and... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have an etiquette question. My nonprofit organization is partnering with another nonprofit to present a community workshop. We want to present the guest speaker with a gift. The two ... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend who can be a real fake sometimes. She's a nice person, but when she dislikes someone, she acts like that person is her best friend. For example, if it's his or her birt... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I take the subway every morning to go to work, and there is always someone panhandling for money. I usually give a dollar or two when I can. I recently found out that it is now illegal... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 16-year-old daughter would like to have a tattoo for Christmas. As her parent, I'm not too happy with the idea of her having a tattoo at such an early age. I'm planning to buy her s... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend and I have been dating for a little over a month, and we've been having a great time. He's a couple years older and has a job, and I'm still in college.... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been working part time at a job I really like for about four months. Recently, I got another part-time job that I also like and that pays a lot better. My plan is to keep both j... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My uncle asked me to help him write a book, and without a second thought, I said yes. My uncle was so excited that I agreed to help him, but I don't know the first step in writing a bo... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: The holiday season is upon us, and this year has been an interesting one financially for me. I would like to send my family and my friends gifts, but I don't have the money. What are s... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently received a phone call from a female friend whom I haven't heard from in more than six months. She invited me to her house for a drink or two and whatever the night might lea... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: Since my wife and I got married two years ago, my relationship with her parents has been strained. It's now at the point where they've washed their hands of me. There is a definite per... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I could really use help from you and your readers. I need to know if any of your readers have had a spouse cheat on them. Did they stay together, or did they file for divorce? What was... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My girlfriend and I have been dating for almost two years. We had a rocky relationship for a while, but recently we worked through it and are in a better place. She has a lot of proble... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: The time is quickly approaching when I have to give a gazillion tips, it seems, to everybody in my life. I live and work in an apartment building that employs about 15 people, from the... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter got a bike for her birthday a couple of years ago, and she still can't ride it. Now that she's 10, she is embarrassed that she hasn't learned to ride while all of her frien... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am dreading going home to see family this year. I have gained about 50 pounds since I saw them two years ago, and I can already hear their comments. While I miss my family terribly, ... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm currently separated from my wife, and she invited me to have Christmas dinner at her parents' house. I'm not too keen on the idea of spending my holiday with her family, and I don'... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I decided to go back to college after a 15-year hiatus. I'm excited and nervous all at once. I'm excited to go back, because I will be able to finish and get my degree. I'm nervous, be... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: After some corporate restructuring, I now have a manager in another state instead of a local manager. My new manager is a nice person, but in the six months since the transfer, I've sp... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I went out to the West Coast for work. I hadn't been there in such a long time that I forgot to contact some of my friends who live out there. I was there for only two days and had to ... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been a vegetarian for about five months. This might not seem like a problem, but all of my family members are huge meat eaters. I haven't told anyone yet about my decision becau... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My good friend's birthday party is coming up. I am excited to go, because I haven't seen him and that group of friends in a long time because of my work schedule.... more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend who is the manager at her company. She is incredible, and everyone loves her. She is constantly making sure that everyone is taken care of, no matter the time of day.... more