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Seat-saving out of control!
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Is it just me, or has seat-saving gone way beyond rude? I see it everywhere and people are absolutely shameless! I was at my daughter's kindergarten graduation and some member of some family got in early and put little torn pieces of napkin on the entire front row of seats! Guess that's their way of saying "nyeh, nyeh, one of us got here before you and feels entitled to as many seats as our big family wants even though they have no intention of sitting in them til just before the ceremony starts." And then there's the high-profile church events -- "reserving" dozens of seats for family members who saunter in at the last minute. And what about parades? Those late-night lawn chair deposits that litter the curb-side? Do we, the non-depositers of keys, napkins, chairs, have to honor those self-centered, loophole finding, greedy litter-spreaders, all in the name of getting the best seats without using their own bodies to stake their claim? Can't we just flick the napkin shred as the garbage it is and sit down? Help me out! I need to calibrate my rage. -- Jessica near Richmond
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Tacky beyond belief? Grieving friend distributes biz card at wake.
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"Ned," our good friend of 17 years, recently died a sudden and tragic death. He was 46 and left a loving wife and two young children. I knew Ned through work, and his wake was exceptionally well-attended -- family, friends and colleagues in abundance. One attendee, "Vince," was a long-time colleague of Ned's and mine who recently started his own dream business, a local boutique wine store. At the wake, after participating in the obligatory sympathetic exchanges, Vince started handing out his business card, encouraging all to stop by his new shop. He spent more time talking about the business venture than reminiscing about our dearly departed Ned. What gives with this guy? When he handed me the card I turned around and walked away. What's the proper response? How can I face this guy? Is it just me or is this way beyond reasonable? Anyone else experienced something similar? -- L.A. in Chicago
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Mom blinded by gold-digger -- Daughter fears confrontation
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I'm 42. My relationship with my mother has never been the best, but now Mom is planning to marry a man I know is no good for her. I feel I should step in and get her to see this guy for what he is. Mom has a decent amount of money and her suitor is after her money. At the very least I'd like her to get a pre-nup, but if I open my mouth she'll suspect I have ulterior motives and am only protecting my future inheritance. How do I get her attention without causing more ill-will between us? Anyone ever been in a similar situation? What works? -- Gerri in MN