Dear Abby

Beware of what you say abroad

May 08, 2006|By Jeanne Phillips

Dear Abby: Summer will be here soon, a time when many Americans travel abroad. I live in Europe, and Americans seem to think that most of us do not understand English here.

Last summer, I overheard a young lady in a restaurant telling her friends about a portion of her anatomy that I shall not mention in a family newspaper. The entire restaurant went silent while she continued on as if no one else had any idea of what she was talking about. Believe me, everyone knew!

Please remind your readers that if a topic is not appropriate to discuss in public in the United States, then it's not appropriate to discuss in public abroad.

-- Edith W. in Sweden

Dear Edith: I'm pleased to oblige.

Many years ago, I spent a summer studying in Italy and had a similar experience. Trapeze dresses (A-line, loose- fitting) were in style that season, and I was walking down the street wearing one of them when an American family (husband, wife, and a boy about 11) approached strolling in the opposite direction. As we passed, the boy said loudly to his mother, "Look, Mom! That lady's wearing a nightgown."

I thought they were going to go through the pavement when I turned around and said, "Thanks, kid!"

Dear Abby: I'm a single mother, newly relocated to a small town, new job and new boyfriend. I have been dating "Kyle" for six months and keep running into the same issue repeatedly.

While Kyle is very successful in business -- he's never been married or had children -- when we are out and the check arrives, if another friend who may be with us or I don't pick up the entire tab, he pays for his portion only. Only a few times has he actually paid for both of us but never for the rest of the group.

Some of our male friends have been embarrassed by this and have taken the check themselves. Instead of stepping up to the plate and insisting on paying for at least some of the dinners, Kyle nonchalantly will ask something to the effect of, "Do I need to put anything in?"

Abby, I'm usually very accepting of people and try not to make too much of things like this, but lately my friends have been commenting about it and telling me I can do better than Kyle. What do you think?

-- Embarrassed in Idaho

Dear Embarrassed: I think your friends may be right. You could be contemplating a future with a skinflint.

Dear Abby: I am 13, and all of my friends are talking about their first kisses. I can't join in because I have never been kissed, and I'm afraid that when I do, it will be horrible. Do you have any advice?

I read somewhere that you are supposed to write the alphabet with your tongue. Please help me.

-- Worried Woman, Tiffin, Ohio

Dear Worried Woman: What you read was wrong. Girls who are being kissed for the first time just close their eyes and purse their lips. (You can work your way up to writing the alphabet when you are much older.

