Public frustrations just not worth your attention

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/02/2022 (1361 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: An older woman in a store actually swore at me recently! We were both leaning over the same fruit display trying to grab the same thing. She pushed me, yelling “Move the f*** over! Where are your brains?”

I didn’t know how to react, and she totally got away with it. My grandparents would never talk like that. I was always taught to respect my elders, so I did — but she was so rude. I’m still mad about it! I missed my chance to tell her off. I can’t stop thinking about it!

— So Annoyed, Riverview

Dear Annoyed: This woman upset you once, in the space of a few seconds. Yes, she was rude, but dwelling on it is a big waste of your time.

Here’s a little trick to save yourself angst when something annoying happens to you, particularly in public: Say out loud to yourself: “Well, that was weird.” Then take a deep breath, and add, “But now, it’s over.”

Don’t post to social media about whatever riles you, or re-tell it on the phone, or you will just be reviving the experience. It was a weird moment, but it’s over, and that’s all the attention you should give it!

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I came home a night early from a sales trip, and found a strange woman in my bed — long black hair all over my pillow. I was shocked!

I live with my younger sister who was sleeping in her own bedroom. Even when I turned on all the lights, the girl in my bed kept on snoring. I could smell that she’d been drinking.

I was dog tired and annoyed, and said loudly, “Hey! I’m home. This is my bedroom!” She woke up, startled, grabbed a sheet around her naked body and ran for the living room couch. I heard a big thud.

I went to bed, but it was cold in the house. After a bit of thinking, I went into the living room and threw a blanket over Sleeping Beauty. I went back to my room to sleep, but I couldn’t drop off for a long while, smelling her perfume on my pillow.

The next day, I woke up to voices in the kitchen and went out to talk. My uninvited bedroom guest was sober by this time and recently showered, with wet hair. She was gorgeous. She smiled and thanked me for “half a night’s sleep” in my bed.

I can’t stop thinking about her. I know it’s not cool to hit on your sister’s girlfriends, but she’s all I can think of. What should I do?

— Lonely Bed, Transcona

Dear Lonely Bed: Don’t go behind your sister’s back. Tell her you’re interested in her friend and would like to call her. She might be fine with it. Some sisters are OK with a brother dating one of their girlfriends if the friend is new and not too close yet.

What a sister absolutely hates is if a brother dates one of her friends, and then dumps her. Then sis often loses the friend! Your particular situation is very risky because you actually live with your sister.

It’s too bad new dating prospects are so poor during the pandemic. If they weren’t, it’d be better to skip calling this attractive young woman and look elsewhere.

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

   Read full biography