AnnLanders.com, Advice by Ann Landers - []
Our Featured Column from the Archives: [Read More Featured Columns]
[Previous] [Next]
Section:
 
 

Dear Ann Landers,
My in-laws are nice people, but they cannot seem to be on time for anything. Last Saturday, they showed up two hours late for dinner. They made the usual tiresome excuses, but there were no apologies, and I know it will happen again before long. My wife gets annoyed, but she would never confront her parents. They are extremely sensitive to criticism and sulk if anyone expresses disapproval of their behavior. I don't want to be the bad guy, but this is getting to me. You've always said, "No one can take advantage of you without your permission." How can I handle this without starting a major family feud? -- Too Many Times in Kentucky

Dear Kentucky,
 Hold up dinner exactly 30 minutes by the clock, and then start eating, whether they are there or not. Leave their dinners on the table -- don't reheat anything. I'll bet after this happens once or twice, they will be on time.

November 30, 2014 - 25 comments


Share this Column with Friends



What do you think?
Comments:

A Note from Margo:
Hi! It's Margo here. I'd love to know what you think of the letters -- and the answers!

Also, any additional thoughts you might have. Thanks!

Debra's Comment
Okay - allow them the 30 minutes then start eating without them. Try for a second time and if they are late again confront them. They are adults and should know how to behave and if not should be told. They are not that "special!"
 
Please share your comments below:








Our Reader to Reader Question of the Week:


Dear Readers,
, whatever they needed I provided. What really hurt my son and I the most was the obituary - we were not mentioned at all. Our friends (mine and hers) were appalled. I was embarrassed and upset for not just me, but for my son-who loved her also. I never been so upset. Her x-husband put his wife and kids and their grandchildren in the obituary, who my girlfriend barely knew. They live an hour away from us. I know its silly to be mad over a little section of the newspaper, but it still hurts. Will time let this devastating loss of her and this article ever go away? I am so angry at this whole situation, its not like we can go and rewrite an obituary notice.

November 30, 2014 - 25 comments

Tell us what you think?
Popular Columns
Relationships
More advice on the subject of Relationships
Children
More advice on the subject of Children
Mental Health
More advice on the subject of Mental Health
Age
More advice on the subject of Age
Abuse
More advice on the subject of Abuse

Tag Cloud
abortion acupuncture adult agoraphobia Al-Anon alcohol American anxiety Association baby barbiturates become bedwetting behavior blood pressure body brain breast cancer cause Center Chicago child chiropractic Clinical common compulsive gambler couples dandruff dangerous DEAR ANN LANDERS death dentures depression develop diabetes diet disease doctor drugs effective emotional experience feel friends gallbladder hair heart hemorrhoids homosexual hospital human husband hypnosis hypoglycemia hysterectomy illness important incest individual infection keep kidney kids live male marijuana marriage married masturbation means medicine Menninger Foundation mother muscle never normal nursing occur orgasm pain parents patient percent person physical physician pills pregnancy problem psoriasis psychiatrist psychological relationship result sexual skin sleep smoking surgery symptoms tell therapy things tion treated treatment tumors usually uterus weeks wife woman women York young


Our Featured Columns:

      - Most Popular Recent Columns

      - Featured Columns from the Archives

      - Mondays with Margo

      - Throwback Thursdays
 
 
Ask a Question
or
Post a Comment

"Television has proved that people will look at anything rather than each other."
-Ann Landers
Sections
Abuse, Addictions, Aging, Behavior, Children, Dating, Depression, Family, Gender, Health & Wellness, Manners, Mental Health, Marriage, Money, Pets, Relationships, Sexuality, Spirituality, Teenagers, Work
Popular Columns


Copyright 2018 - Ann Landers and Advice - Privacy - Terms and Conditions