Monthly Archives: August 2015

03/08/2015
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Advice

“Jaw With John” – There’s A Banshee in the Building

“About once a month, my wife and I get together with a group of our friends for dinner. “Vivian” is a girlfriend of “Fred’s” and is a very nice person.

However, Vivian has a very high, loud and screechy voice.

I deliberately try to sit down the table from her, but sometimes this is not possible. I know Fred is aware of how annoying her voice is (his facial expression sometimes gives it away) but I doubt he has said anything to her.

I would like to say something to Fred but my wife told me to hold off. She says it is rude. I simply do not want to attend any other gatherings where Vivian is in attendance.

What do you advise? — Deaf in Maryland”

Dear Deaf:

Earplugs?

Nah, that’s too easy and extremely passive aggressive.

You can ask Vivian to keep her voice down whenever she talks too loudly. Other than that you just need to suck it up and deal with loud people because they are everywhere.

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03/08/2015
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Advice

“Jaw With John” – Problem Grandchild

“My youngest grandson has just left from a week-long visit. He lives out of state and we rarely see him.

He is 8 years old and this was his first visit with us. We have realized that he lies, he cheats, he is incredibly rude and is basically unpleasant to be around.

This is the first grandchild with whom we have had such an unpleasant experience. His parents will expect us to invite him back next year, but we aren’t interested.

How do we address this issue with his parents? — Foundering Grandparents”

Dear Grandparents:

He cheats? WTF? Are you guys playing Clue and he peeked at the cards to see if it was Colonel Mustard in the Library with the Wrench?

When I was 8 years old, I clearly remember cheating, lying, and being a brat in general but then I grew up and became only a twinge bit of an asshole.

This kid just needs to be told how to behave, and that should be by his parents. Tell them what happened and let them handle this. As far as not having him back next year, that’s cool. But don’t shut him out completely. I had a great relationship with my grandmother – that was primarily based around her taking me to see any movie I or she wanted – but it was positive nonetheless and your grandson needs that too.

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01/08/2015
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Advice

“Jaw With John” – Basket Case

“I’m a college student on a campus where bikes are widely used, and I lent my bike to my roommate to use while I was away. She texted me, saying that she just got back to campus from a short break home and realized my bike had been stolen. Eventually she found the bike, but the basket had been removed.

Obviously I’m very glad it was found. Do I have the right to ask her to replace the stolen basket? It wasn’t cheap, and I feel like since it was taken under her watch she should replace it. I don’t want to be petty about it. We’re great roommates. What would be the best way to bring it up? — Conflicted”

Dear Conflicted:

She owes you a new basket plain and simple. The fact that she didn’t already offer to buy you a new one tells me that she doesn’t know she should buy you one.

It’s very simple: you can send her a link to the place where you originally bought the basket or she can buy something similar from Amazon or wherever. As long as you’re happy with the basket choice then all should be golden.

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