Dear Abby... don't!
Nov. 22nd, 2006 07:22 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
zalenaNow that Maureen Dowd is chastely locked behind the Times Select icon, I have to find a new person to mock. It is an almost daily tradition to mock Dear Abby with my officemate. I have always liked Ann Landers better than Abby, but now that Abby's daughter has taken over as America's favorite agony aunt, the tone has really gone down hill.
Recent Abby gaffes have included:
* Abby's advice to a woman who was receiving unwanted hugs at church, "Put tacks in your bra." (With the points facing outward, so huggers get an unpleasant surprise.)
* Abby's advice to a woman who is breaking off her engagement to a serviceman in Iraq, "Don't tell him, it could put his life in danger." (There were several weeks of debate about this, she at least did the service of printing many viewpoints. I think that in a time in which military personal have access to instantaneous communication that it would be very difficult to hide a change of affections. Not to mention the fact that the writer wanted to break off the relationship because she was seeing someone else. Wouldn't you rather have someone break it off than hear from a third party that your lover's seeing someone else? Nevermind the practical facts of life insurance, etc.)
* And yesterday's column offered suggestions about what to do about people who don't RSVP. (Specifically for big events like weddings.) Suggestions include:
- Call up lagging RSVPers and tell them since you haven't heard from them you assume they are not coming
- Issue invitations without complete information so people HAVE to call you in order to come to the event
- Keep a list of people who RSVP'd and only allow them into the expensive parts of the party (like the reception.)
Who are these people, and when will we get to see the Dear Abby/ Miss Manners smackdown!
My other complaint about Abby is often times the people who write in to her have problems much bigger than can be addressed in a newspaper column. Abby used to be a resource guide with hotline numbers and addresses to which one could send away from pamphlets. Now she rarely says more than, "Get professional help," which might be difficult if you don't know where to look for it.
Recent Abby gaffes have included:
* Abby's advice to a woman who was receiving unwanted hugs at church, "Put tacks in your bra." (With the points facing outward, so huggers get an unpleasant surprise.)
* Abby's advice to a woman who is breaking off her engagement to a serviceman in Iraq, "Don't tell him, it could put his life in danger." (There were several weeks of debate about this, she at least did the service of printing many viewpoints. I think that in a time in which military personal have access to instantaneous communication that it would be very difficult to hide a change of affections. Not to mention the fact that the writer wanted to break off the relationship because she was seeing someone else. Wouldn't you rather have someone break it off than hear from a third party that your lover's seeing someone else? Nevermind the practical facts of life insurance, etc.)
* And yesterday's column offered suggestions about what to do about people who don't RSVP. (Specifically for big events like weddings.) Suggestions include:
- Call up lagging RSVPers and tell them since you haven't heard from them you assume they are not coming
- Issue invitations without complete information so people HAVE to call you in order to come to the event
- Keep a list of people who RSVP'd and only allow them into the expensive parts of the party (like the reception.)
Who are these people, and when will we get to see the Dear Abby/ Miss Manners smackdown!
My other complaint about Abby is often times the people who write in to her have problems much bigger than can be addressed in a newspaper column. Abby used to be a resource guide with hotline numbers and addresses to which one could send away from pamphlets. Now she rarely says more than, "Get professional help," which might be difficult if you don't know where to look for it.
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no subject
Date: 2006-11-22 02:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-22 03:11 pm (UTC)Here's a guy that does "shadow columns" of all the advice columns, including Dear Abby: Dear Doodahman
PS
Date: 2006-11-22 03:15 pm (UTC)I recieved your package yesterday! I was quite thrilled.
I'm looking forward to reading it this weekend.
And the stationery was adorable! You don't know how happy it made me. Thank you!
Re: PS
Date: 2006-11-22 04:28 pm (UTC)Re: PS
Date: 2006-11-22 04:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-22 05:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-11-22 07:48 pm (UTC)