DEAR ABBY: I have a dilemma. Last year my son became a professional in his sport, and he has recently become famous. Since then, everyone is asking for tickets to games because they want in on the action. I treated one relative who lives near me to a game with her son, and now her sister (with whom I’ve had very little contact) is saying she follows the games and would love to attend.
My son gets tickets, but they are not free and they do cost him something. It’s becoming very stressful for him. Friends and family from all over now ask him for tickets. I don’t want to impose upon him for other than immediate family.
How do I tactfully tell these people that I won’t ask? I don’t want it to sound like HE doesn’t want to do it. I want it to come from a concerned mom who simply doesn’t get tickets for everyone, so they need to go online and buy them like normal people do. – PROFESSIONAL DILEMMA
DEAR P.D.: These people may not realize they are being presumptuous. Tell them frankly, the same way you explained it to me, that the tickets aren’t free to the players. These people may not be aware of it, and it should bring them back to reality.
DEAR ABBY: A good friend of mine began having trouble in her marriage of 16 years. She has been coming to me for advice. Her husband has grown distant and refuses physical interaction. He speaks to her as if he is always irritated with her.