AnnLanders.com, Advice by Ann Landers - []
Section: behavior, manners, relationships
 
 

Dear Margo,
We have a small house which I would like to keep uncluttered. The woman who cleans for us insist on buying us gifts which we don't need, and don't have room for. Since she's in the house on a regular basis, I feel like I need to display the items. However, the clutter really gets on my nerves. How can I approach her without hurting her feelings, and what can I do with the stuff I don't want? We do have a condo/office she doesn't visit. - Marge

Dear Marge,
Oy! That is a predicament. Your decorating preferences should not, however, be dictated by your cleaning person ... nor should your small house become tchotchkerama out of concern for her feelings. (First of all, it is odd for someone in your employ to shower you with gifts.) I would gather your nerve and tell her the following: You are uncomfortable with her spending her hard-earned money on gifts for you and you would like that to stop. To spare her feelings you can say you are moving the presents to your condo/office because you like your living space to be spare. When you gather the unwanted items you can regift them to your local Goodwill.
- Margo

Tags: margo


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!
 
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.

Tell us what you think?

Popular Columns

Tag Cloud


Ask a Question
or
Post a Comment

"Nobody ever drowned in his own sweat."
-Ann Landers