Dear Abby: I hope your readers aren't fed up with stories about boys playing with dolls, because I have a cute one to add:
When I was a teenager (15 years ago), one of my younger male cousins asked if he could have my Barbie doll collection. I said "Yes."The whole family chuckled as he happily packed up my collection. Someone suggested that perhaps we should add a GI Joe doll, but my cousin said "No!"
The following week, we realized what a clever boy my cousin was. Every day after school, he invited the cutest girls to his house to play "Barbie." Sometimes he had three or four girls all playing "Barbie" on his living room
floor. He has since moved on to become a ski instructor during the winter; he mountain-climbs and windsurfs during the rest of the year - and he is completing his studies toward an international law degree.
By the way, he still has lots of beautiful girlfriends!
- Rebecca Cain,
Skokie, Ill.
Dear Abby: Regarding your recent column on the etiquette of responding to sympathy cards: I disagree with both you and your etiquette authority, Letitia Baldrige, stating that even a sympathy card must be acknowledged.
I grew up (and still live) in southwest Missouri, and in all my 69 years, I have never sent nor received such a thank-you card. I do not believe it is necessary - or expected. To me, it would be an added burden on people who are already burdened with grief.
- Mary C., Webb City, Mo.
Dear Mary C.: I double-checked with Letitia Baldrige, who said: "Of course, people would understand if they were not thanked for having sent a card expressing sympathy; but the card had to be purchased, signed, addressed, stamped and mailed, and in my opinion, it would be rude to ignore that effort. Surely everyone has a friend or relative who could help with that chore."
Dear Abby: Here's a question I have always wanted to ask: Why are strollers made so the baby faces away from its mother?
The baby needs to see its mother, and she needs to see how the baby is.
- Mildred Gerhardt,
Brainerd, Minn.
Dear Mildred: If the baby were facing its mother, the baby would have to ride backward. I would assume that babies, like adults, prefer to see where they are going - not where they've been.
Dear Abby: We have neighbors who have two children in high school and one in college, but the parents act like a couple of teenagers.
When the husband comes home from work, the wife runs out to the street to meet him, and he carries her into the house piggyback! If the husband is repairing the roof, she is right up there with him. If he's under their car, she's there, too. When they sit in church, they hold hands and read out of the same book when hers is right beside her, closed.
What do you think of people like them? No names, please. Sign me . . .
- St. Petersburg, Fla.
Dear St. Petersburg: I think your neighbors know the secret of real happiness. God bless them.
Dear Abby: I have been married for six years, and my wife insists that I address her parents as "Mr. and Mrs."
I feel very awkward doing this, as I see them every day and we are very
friendly. When I bring this to her attention, she insists it's disrespectful and improper to address them in any other manner - such as "Mom and Dad," or by their first names. Both of my parents are deceased.
Please help me, as my wife reads your column.
- Parentless in Pa.
Dear Parentless: Ask your in-laws (in your wife's presence) how they prefer to be addressed.