THE DAILY ASTORIAN WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016
FEATURES
5A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
No shoes rule irritates man
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: One of my
wife’s siblings insists that every-
one remove their shoes upon
entering her home. This makes
me feel like I am welcome only
so long as I don’t get their pre-
cious house dirty.
My wife and I were recently
invited to her sister’s house for a
family party. When I didn’t take
off my perfectly clean shoes, she
looked me in the eye and told
me to remove my shoes or not
to bother coming in. She said,
“We are zero tolerance on that.”
I turned and left without saying a
word.
Last week, we went to another
party at a different sister’s home.
She met us at the door with a big
smile. “Keep your shoes on if
you want, but wipe your feet if
they are dirty.” We had a good
time. I felt welcomed.
I often take my shoes off at
people’s houses. We live in a
snowy climate and I don’t want
to track snow or dirt into their
homes. But shouldn’t it be my
decision to remove my shoes?
When people put conditions on
coming in, doesn’t that give me
a choice to accept the conditions
or not?
My side of the family would
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy
Mitchell and
Marcy Sugar
never do this. We have been mar-
ried for 40 years and I love my
wife’s family, but this drives me
crazy. Please advise on proper
etiquette. — Clean Shoes In
Wisconsin
Dear Wisconsin: We think
that when you are a guest in some-
one’s home, you should make an
effort to follow their rules. It isn’t
intended to make you feel unwel-
come. No matter how clean your
shoes may seem, they are still
tracking in detritus from the out-
doors. However, we also believe
that hosts who ask you to remove
your shoes have an obligation to
provide slippers of some kind so
you aren’t walking around bare-
foot or with holes in your socks.
Perhaps you could work some-
thing out with your sister-in-law
so that neither of you feels that
the other is being rude.
Dear Annie: My husband
and I are in our early 30s and
come from middle-class fam-
ilies. We both work extremely
hard. We are getting ready to
build our second home and are
going to complete the transac-
tion in cash.
When people ask what kind of
mortgage rate we have or which
bank we are using, what’s the
best way to respond? We don’t
want others to be jealous or think
twice about hiring our business
for fear that we may charge too
much. — Hardworking in the
Midwest
Dear Midwest: You do not
need to give out this information.
If someone actually has the gall
to ask, you have a few options:
You can tell them a version of the
truth: “We’ve been saving for a
long time so we can pay in cash.
It’s taken forever.” Or misdirect:
“Why do you want to know?
Are you looking to buy a house?
Where? Tell me all about it!” Or
more evasively: “We’re work-
ing on that. Do you have some
suggestions?” By turning the
question around, they will feel
important and wise, and will stop
focusing on things that are none
of their business.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Progress will
be thwarted by too many opinions. They can’t
all be right, and they can’t all be wrong. You’re
the one to sort this out. There must be a con-
sensus if the group is to move forward!
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Showing off is
never cool, and yet how are you going to let
them know what you can do if you never per-
form it or even mention it? Today you’ll walk
that fine line between standing out and fitting
in.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Some people
complain to sound big, when actually it only
makes them sound weak, insecure and ill-
equipped to do what it takes to make a situ-
ation work. As far as you’re concerned, com-
plaining is a red flag.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). There’s a
score to even. The other person might not
think so, but you have your own way of ac-
counting, and in your book, things won’t be
quite right until you execute a certain chain
of action.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). If it can be done,
you’ll find a way to do it. Whether or not it’s
worth doing, well, that part might be out of
your hands, as an authority figure is likely to
request much that falls under the category of
“your job,” whether you like it or not.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). People want to
know about you, but you’re feeling shy and
perhaps inclined to avoid the subject of you
altogether. It would be a mistake to let the day
slip by without revealing at least a little about
your remarkable life.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Bottom line, this
certain someone sees something different in
you. You’re attractive in your uniqueness, and
if you continue to be so intriguing you’ll soon
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
gain a fan for life.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). A sacrifice will
prove that you’re committed. But if you give
too much, this will backfire on you. Over-giv-
ing could be taken as a sign that you care
more about what the other person thinks of
you than you care for yourself.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You know
what you’re doing and where you’re going.
You’ll find the way, the alternate way, the sce-
nic route and the shortcut. And you’ll gener-
ously help anyone else headed in the same
direction as well!
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). When you
come up against someone’s pride, go gently.
Keep in mind that this person may feel like he
or she is fighting for life itself. That’s the power
of ego. Pride is all some people feel they have.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Not feeling
quite as driven? The break from ambition will
be healthy for you. Bonus: If you just go along
for the ride, you’ll wind up at the same desti-
nation as you would if you were in the driver’s
seat.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Improvement
will be simple for you. Name the problem and
solve it. If it’s too big, make it smaller. If it’s
still too big, make it smaller still, until it’s small
enough to solve.
THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (March 3). More
attention, respect and money are coming your
way over the next seven weeks. You’ll put your
money where your heart is this month, buying
into only what contributes to your happiness
and health. The social calendar heats up in
May and a tight relationship forms. December
shows you paying dues; it will pay off in 2017.
Libra and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 7, 49, 23, 41 and 17.