Dear Abby: How do you prevent damage in your home from children whose parents will not control them while they’re visiting? I keep a box of toys and offer them to the children, but they often prefer to handle my personal objects, many of which are heirloom antiques.
One visitor allowed her child to jump on my sofa, then offered to replace a shattered ceramic bowl her son had thrown like a Frisbee. “It’s not replaceable,” I told her. “It belonged to my great-grandmother.” She said I should have put my valuables out of reach.
It seems even the most polite suggestion to children angers their parents. Must I show everyone the door because their children behave like animals? – Who’s Minding the Menagerie?
Dear Who’s: That’s one intelligent option. Conscientious parents take the time to patiently teach their children they can’t touch everything they see. They also think ahead and bring toys they know the kids will enjoy in case they become bored. Visit lazy parents only on their own turf or when they’re child-free for an afternoon or evening.
Dear Abby: I work in an office with mostly women. My husband and I bought a new car a few months ago. Whenever the car comes up in conversation, a few of my co-workers don’t hesitate to say what they don’t like about it. After I was nice enough to give one of them a ride home one night, she said the “new car smell” gave her a headache.
I would never say anything negative about something like that, but these women seem to enjoy it.
What should I say next time? – Driving Myself Crazy
Dear Driving Yourself: Your idea of not providing transportation to the complainers is a good one. My advice is, in the future, not to raise the subject of your new car – which should reduce comments you hear about it.
Dear Abby: I work for a package delivery company and there is a problem that’s all too common for people in my line of work. Please tell dog owners to confine their dog before opening a door to accept a package.
I have been bitten twice in the past two years by dogs that “don’t bite.” I have also been scared more times than I can count by dogs that have charged at me. When a customer takes the time to put their dog in another room before coming to the door, I make sure to let him or her know how much I appreciate it.
Thanks, Abby, from my fellow delivery drivers and me. – Twice Bitten in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Dear Twice Bitten: You’re welcome. If your letter convinces the owners of aggressive dogs to confine them faster than you can spell L-A-W-S-U-I-T, then its purpose will have been served.
Write Dear Abby P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
