World travelers keep mooching rides
Dear Abby:
We have some friends who take a couple of expensive extended vacations each year. They go to Europe and take cruises. For the past four years, they have never once booked ground transportation from home to the airport and back. Instead, they rely on friends to take them to the airport.
They have plenty of money. They are just too cheap to pay for a shuttle, cab or limo. They never offer to put gas in the car or pay for the parking. It is a 45-minute drive in heavy traffic.
They are getting ready for another trip. What should I say when asked? Please give me your thoughts on their behavior.
Unhappy About This in Georgia Dear Unhappy:
Rather than fume about it, the next time you are asked to drive them to the airport, tell them you have a conflict and are unavailable. Dear Abby:
I am a 47-year-old professional man who loves children but never had any of my own. Many of my friends are parents, and I feel the urge to buy their kids nice presents I know they want or that I never received when I was a child, e.g., a wonderful bike or train set.
What’s the protocol for giving an expensive gift (e.g., a saxophone that can cost $1,000) to nonrelated children without creating awkwardness or obligation? Gift Giver in Oakland, Calif. Dear Gift Giver:
The protocol is the one you are already observing, which is to have a conversation with the parents before buying expensive gifts for their children. And when you do, make clear that it is not your wish to cause awkwardness or a sense of obligation. DearAbby.com Dear Abby P.O. Box 69440 Los Angeles, CA 90069 Andrews McMeel Syndication