Q. My husband has always worked extremely hard and now does so from home — so I go to great lengths to make nice things for him to eat. Yet he takes five minutes, at most, to eat these elaborate and lovingly prepared dishes, and then immediately goes through to the kitchen and starts washing up — even though that’s now my job. I don’t mind so much at lunchtime but it is dispiriting to see him reverting to schoolboy habits (he was a boarder) at supper when I am looking forward to having a civilised conversation after a day without company. Mary, what should I do?
— A.O., Sittingbourne, Kent
A. Let him know that he must stay at the table for at least 20 minutes and that if he finishes eating in five minutes, he will have to read to you for a further 15 while you eat your supper at a civilised pace. He will soon come to enjoy hearing his own voice.
Q. During the first lockdown, one resident started a WhatsApp group for the very long street where I live. Throughout the lockdowns we have seen younger residents kindly offering to walk dogs and run errands for shielders, exchanged recommendations for plumbers and electricians, and generally helped each other out. There has always been a feeling of good intention. Recently we welcomed a new resident. Now on a daily basis we are inundated with photos of hand-knitted jerseys with high price tags. She makes these from home and obviously believes that the group offers her a selling platform. Worse, she has now offered to walk dogs and go shopping for anyone who is shielding, and has attached a list of (extortionate) charges. Mary, how can we tactfully make her see that this is not in the spirit of what we set out to do?
— P.W.,
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in