THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2015
FEATURES
Don’t tip the bank tellers
Dear Annie: My father is
starting to have trouble manag-
ing his banking. He has a decent
fixed income, but somehow, he
is now living from one check to
the next and he’s getting costly
overdrawn notices. I have started
to write out his bills, and I try to
keep his checkbook balanced.
Last week, I went to the bank
with him for the first time. He
could not remember his account
number. He knew nothing about
how much was in his account
and it was obvious that the tell-
ers were aware of this. They
called him by name, trying to
help him.
When he finished his deposit-
ing a check, he tipped the tell-
er $30. He said he tips them all
the time because they help him.
Annie, I know he makes with-
drawals every Friday to “make
it through the weekend,” but I
didn’t realize he was tipping the
tellers.
Is this permitted? I had no
idea tellers could accept tips. My
father doesn’t have a great deal
of money and my brother and I
often help him out so he can bal-
ance his checkbook. How should
we handle this? — Senior Bank-
ing Issues
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy Mitchell
and
Marcy Sugar
Dear Banking: We don’t
know what bank your father
patronizes, but every bank we
checked said that tipping is ab-
solutely not permitted. Your fa-
ther obviously has some mem-
ory issues and unless the bank
tellers are depositing those tips
back into Dad’s account, they are
taking advantage of him. Com-
plain to their supervisors. And
if Dad is living check-to-check,
it sounds as though it is time
for someone else to manage his
banking.
Discuss this with your broth-
er, so there are no arguments,
and then approach Dad, explain-
ing that you want to be sure his
money lasts. Make him a part
of the process. It would be best
if you could limit how often he
goes to the bank, so have his
checks deposited automatically
and give him a weekly allowance
in cash. We know it’s extra work
for you, but this is what respon-
sible, caring children do for their
parents. Dad should be evaluated
by his physician for signs of de-
mentia, and if he is living alone,
you might start looking into re-
tirement communities that will
provide a safe environment, as
well as companionship, conver-
sation and community.
Dear Annie: I read the re-
sponses to “Expecting,” who was
asked thoughtless and intrusive
questions about her pregnancy.
I once asked a friend some-
thing unintentionally rude and
he responded to me by asking,
“What did you say?” I repeated
my question and he again asked,
“What did you say?” It took a
third time before I caught on that
he wasn’t hard of hearing. I actu-
ally appreciated the polite come-
uppance and got a good laugh
out of it. That kind of response
would really pull a person up
short if they asked something
that was none of their business.
— N.N.
Dear N.N.: Thanks for pro-
viding a polite but effective way
to avoid answering personal, in-
trusive questions.
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
STONE SOUP
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
5A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). There’s
low-hanging fruit in front of you, and
you’re hungry. The question: Is this a trick?
Sometimes life really is a no-brainer. Help
yourself, and you’ll be nothing but satis-
fied.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The day
brings illogical attractions. Sometimes the
heart understands what the mind can-
not fathom. Everything will be revealed
in time. For now, try to enjoy the gigantic
question mark.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The only
thing worse than investing 10 hours (or
weeks or years) in something that turns
out to be unfulfilling and unproductive is
investing 11. Don’t be too stubborn to stop.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). There is
more than one personality inside each
person, which is why grown adults some-
times act like 2-year-olds. You will be pa-
tient and kind, tolerating a loved one’s
childishness.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The new game
is not about getting ahead and staying
ahead -- that was the old game. The new
game is finding intrigue, joy and satisfac-
tion in the process.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Crossed
lines are a danger. To avoid wasted time
looking for or waiting for your loved ones,
make sure you’ve understood what they
said. Tonight, people are looking for a
leader, and you have the vision.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Honesty has
its own resonance. The world responds
kindly to your lack of pretense. The people
you encounter will feel free to open up to
you whether they’ve known you for years
or minutes.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). When you
consider some of your past perils, you
realize that things turned out much better
than they might have. This trend will con-
tinue, so go ahead and take a chance.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Sti-
fling circumstances can be overcome.
This is a mind-over-matter situation. De-
velop your imagination. A vision can be
like an invisible key. The immaterial will
unlock the material.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Ex-
plore your own code. Study your response
to life. You’re not a robot, but you can pro-
gram yourself to some degree once you
understand your operating system.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Maybe
you wish you’d made a different choice.
Even honorable and decent humans don’t
always take the best action. You’ll have the
chance for a do-over. Seize it.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Solo ef-
forts meet with universal resistance, but
no worries -- there will be someone to
assist you in getting things done. You only
have to reach out and ask.
THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (June 25).
For the next 10 weeks, you’ll be the sav-
vy social director with all the fine ideas.
Tell your crew the plan and have a blast
watching it unfold. September highlights
and deepens the special love in your life.
November brings new financial demands,
and you’ll find creative ways to meet them.
Want to move? Wait for the new year.
Capricorn and Aquarius people adore
you. Your lucky numbers are: 34, 2, 15, 48
and 17.