FEATURES
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2016
Please call me Mrs. Smith
Dear Annie: When did it
become commonplace for young
people to address their elders by
our first names?
My
youngest
daughter,
“Emma,” graduated high school
two years ago and moved out of
state for college. This past summer,
when she returned home, I noticed
a shift in how her friends spoke
with me. Though I have a good
relationship with my daughter’s
friends — they were often over for
study sessions or sleepovers as they
grew up — they always addressed
me as “Mrs. Smith.” However, the
most recent time a few of Emma’s
friends were over for dinner, one of
them called me “Susan” without
prompting.
I was too surprised to say any-
thing at the time, but it struck me
as odd. Though they are technically
adults, it’s hard to see these young
women as my equals. It’s not
exactly rude, and I don’t want to be
labeled as old-fashioned, yet I’m
not sure I’m ready to be “Susan.”
To this day, when I run into
the mother of my childhood best
friend, I still call her “Mrs. Ste-
vens.” It just seems polite to me.
Annie, am I just behind the
times on this, or is there a way to
be Mrs. Smith again? — Mrs. in
Dear Annie
By
Annie
Lane
Creators
Syndicate
Inc.
Minnesota
Dear Mrs.: I’m with you on
this one. Although you may feel a
bit awkward doing it, simply tell
your daughter’s friends you would
prefer that they call you Mrs.
Smith. The awkwardness will pass
in a matter of seconds, and really,
you’ll be doing them a favor. They
should be aware that some adults
consider the casual first-name-ba-
sis treatment disrespectful.
It’s a small thing, yes. But in a
world so short on common cour-
tesy, little niceties go a long way.
Dear Annie: You have recently
published a couple of letters from
people living in apartments with
noisy neighbors. Your advice to
talk directly to the noisy neighbor
is right on. Years ago, we lived next
door to a man in his early 30s who
liked to party, listen to music and
5A
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
television at a very loud volume,
and could be heard giving loud Tar-
zan yells as he jumped across the
furniture in his living room. This
was in an apartment building made
of concrete, with thick walls, and
we could still hear him.
One day, his music was so
loud we couldn’t hear our televi-
sion at all. My then-husband went
next door and knocked repeatedly
on the neighbor’s door until he
answered. He invited him to come
to our place for a coffee, and the
neighbor delightedly accepted. My
husband insisted that the neighbor
come right then, so the neighbor
left his apartment with the music
still blaring.
When he entered our apart-
ment, he quickly realized that
the only thing he could hear was
his own music blaring away. We
explained to him that though the
walls were concrete, they didn’t
block out exceptionally loud noise.
He sheepishly apologized, and that
was the end of the problem. — Liv-
ing Peacefully in Laval
Dear Living: I can’t imagine
how he must have felt realizing
the whole building had heard Tar-
zan’s call. Kudos to you and your
husband for resolving the problem
peacefully.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You crave
someone’s love. Do you dare pause to ask
why? Knowing the origin of this craving might
not stop it, but there is something valuable to
learn in the investigation.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your mind
power is quite real. Your intentions and atti-
tude will cause you to move through the world
accordingly and with an impact of body that
changes particles, matter and thus, to some
degree, the course of history.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). How someone
longs to understand the mystery of your inner
life. It’s not going to happen, at least not in any
kind of substantial way, but if you offer up a
glimpse into your thoughts and feelings you’ll
make the relationship slightly easier.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). People will
reject something that doesn’t fit in with a num-
ber of other things they know to be true. To be
persuasive you may need to change, soften
or mold your idea to click in with what is al-
ready accepted.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Contradictions
abound, and what does this mean? Maybe
saying and believing contradictory things isn’t
a sign that you’re getting something wrong.
Maybe it’s a sign that you’re getting something
right.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). When you feel
something’s different about a relationship, this
is no cause to panic. Different can be good
— even differences that don’t seem particu-
larly favorable at first. Relationships that aren’t
changing aren’t growing.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You know that
people from other cultures and backgrounds
think differently. You’re surer of this than you
are of being right in your own cultural views.
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
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). As intellectu-
ally adept as you are, you’re always operating
on a sensual level, too. The lighting affects
you, as does the color, scent and overall at-
tractiveness of things. Today you’ll find com-
fort in the beautiful.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re no
minimalist, but you’re willing to let something
drop in the name of simplicity. Also, a request
has been made. So what goes? Note: Just
because a thing is enjoyable doesn’t make it
superfluous.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Though
you may prefer to be around positive role
models, if they don’t show up, fret not! Re-
verse role models may work even better.
Seeing what you don’t want will be among the
strongest motivators.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). As you show
appreciation for the solid people and felicitous
circumstances of the day, a joy ignites in your
heart, radiates through your body and rings
out through the atmosphere. You are happi-
ness, ground zero.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). How might
you get out of your uptight, rational mind?
Have an experience that transcends it. Lean
into the mystical. Reach into that which cannot
be easily explained or completely understood.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 10).
You’ll claim a victory in the next three weeks,
priming you for a solar year of confidence.
The winning attitude will spill over into your
love life. Risks, adventure and fun fill the end
of the year. In January, you’ll be called to take
on a major responsibility. Compensation will
be delayed until August. Aquarius and Virgo
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 30, 22,
28 and 15.