Dear Abby: I would like to respond to "Nancy's" comments on table manners. She said, "Remove your hat before sitting down at the table, including baseball caps." Sometimes a baseball cap might be more pleasant for others to look at than the scars it is hiding.
Six months ago, my son and three other crew members were in a C-130, fighting fires in France, when the plane crashed. Two were killed. My son and another young man survived when they were blown out of the plane on impact. They were in intensive care for quite some time.
In spite of very bad scars, they both looked wonderful to us. However, when my son was well enough for us to take him out to dinner, he wore a baseball cap to hide his worst scars, which were on his head.
You can believe I was proud to be sitting at the table with him — cap included! I'm hopeful that after some plastic surgery, the cap will no longer be necessary. — A Happy Mom in Tennessee
Dear Happy Mom: I am so glad to learn your son survived such a terrible accident and is on the road to recovery.
In most circumstances, men wear baseball caps because they think it's "cool" or they are having a bad hair day or have no hair at all. It would benefit all of us to refrain from judging those who wear caps indoors — there may be, as in your son's case, a legitimate reason.
Dear Abby: Recently a friend from my church passed away. She was 83 years old. I stopped by the funeral home to pay my respects to her and her family.
During my visit, I was completely ignored by family members who were standing around in nearby rooms enjoying animated conversations.
I feel that at least one family member should have acknowledged my presence and that of several others. Should I have interrupted their conversations to pay my respects? — Mourning In Pittsburgh
Dear Mourning: I agree that someone should have taken the time to acknowledge the presence of a new arrival, whether a staff member at the mortuary or a designated family member.
However, since no one did, you could have stepped forward, introduced yourself and expressed your sympathy.
Dear Abby: How can I tell my boyfriend that he is a bad kisser? — Wants To Be Tactful
Dear Wants: Say nothing negative. Keep the message positive and offer to demonstrate.
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