Sorry shouldn’t be the hardest word

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/05/2018 (3007 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I met a man at a grocery store who had a very rude ’tude. I’m a luxury-sized lady and my guess is he’s a pretty bad drunk. He was following behind me checking out my large backside, no doubt. When I got to the ice cream section he snickered, “Lady, I don’t think you need any more of that!” I lost it! I was so mad, I turned around with the ice cream tub in my hand and fired it into his cart, saying “Well, drunk guy, I think YOU need something to sweeten yourself up!” Out of nowhere came two security guys who asked if there was a problem. I quickly said, “Not anymore there isn’t!” The drunk guy said, “No problem. This lady is just full of sweetness and wanted to share it.” Then he winked at me. I started to laugh and the bad moment was over.

The security guys shrugged and went away, and the drunk guy said, “Sorry for what I said before.” I said, “That’s OK and sorry for throwing that ice cream at you. You probably saved me from getting kicked out of the store.”

Then it was all over, but guess what? I felt better about people in general all day after that. I’m glad we’re the ‘Sorry’ City with instant apologies and those silly looking ‘Sorry’ buses. Too many people never say they’re sorry for anything and it’s such a good, healing thing to do.

— Sorry Chucker, South Winnipeg

Dear Sorry: Not that you were going to become great pals with Drunk Guy, but the general feeling you got from his action was that people in your world are OK, and can work disagreements out without armed guards having to step in and lay down the law. That’s a good thing for everybody. 

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: Trouble in Paradise! My husband and I have developed bad habits and find it uncomfortable to spend the whole night together. Lately, I’ve been going out to the sofa at about 1 a.m. because he’s snoring like a freight train. In return, he doesn’t like that I have restless leg syndrome and keep jumping out of bed to walk around.

There’s another bedroom in the house, so I suggested one of us move into it, and he took great offence. I said, “If we could both get a decent sleep, we wouldn’t be mad at each other in the daytime.” So, today I moved into the guest bedroom.

My husband came home, saw what I’d done and turned to go straight back out — to go to the bar. “Well that’s the end of that,” he said. End of what? I still love him and want to have sex and I told him that. He just said “Humph!” and slammed out. Should I move back into the master bedroom to save our marriage?

— Panicked, Weston

Dear Panicked: Yes, move back in on the condition you both get help for your medical problems. It’s not like you disgust each other sexually. It’s that you both have medical problems that could be treated. Make a deal that you’ll both get help for your problems and that you’ll both be persistent. If your physician’s suggestion doesn’t work, try other methods. For now, buy soft earplugs for yourself and ask him to walk with you every night to exercise your legs — it will be good for both of you. 

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave. Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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