6A
FEATURES
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
Gross spitting habit
Dear Annie: The other day, I no evidence that men produce
was working from a cafe close to more saliva than women.
my house. As I sat there for a few
I’m sure I’ll hear from a few
hours, I saw a number of men spit- people with their takes. In the
ting on the sidewalk as they passed meantime, if you see a “drooling
by. Men in dirty clothes, men in delinquent,” you might offer him
fancy suits, young men, old men — (or her!) a tissue.
it seems to be a trait shared
Dear Annie: I have
DEAR
by all types of men. Fond
never been more com-
pelled to write than after
as I am of finding and cul-
ANNIE
tivating common connec-
reading your recent
tions between humans, I
response to “P.U.,” the
find this habit disgusting.
person concerned about a
Why is it that men choose
co-worker’s bad hygiene.
to spit in public so often?
In your response, you indi-
cated that the co-work-
Am I the only one who
er’s mental health is
notices this? And what
Lane
not “P.U.’s” business.
should I do if I see another Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Based on the co-worker’s
drooling delinquent? —
reported outburst when
Wondering Woman
Dear Wondering Woman: confronted and information from
You’re in good company in your his wife that he was “off his med-
disgust. After his first visit to Amer- ication,” I strongly believe it is not
ica, Charles Dickens lamented the only “P.U.’s” business but his obli-
“offensive and sickening” sight of gation to report his observations
men who “(spat) incessantly.” In to management. Too often, these
Dickens’ time, chewing tobacco early signs of potential violence are
was mostly to blame for the great missed and, as recent events around
expectorations. Nowadays, there’s the country show, workplace trag-
no definitive explanation. Boise edy follows. I respectfully think
State sociology professor Rob- you missed the mark on this one.
ert McCarl says it most likely has — See Something, Say Something
to do with male posturing. It does
Dear See Something, Say
seem that this issue is socio-cul- Something: Though “P.U.” said
tural and not biological, as there’s he’d already approached manage-
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2018
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ment to no avail, I should not have
left it at that. You’re right that the
situation is potentially danger-
ous and should be addressed with
urgency.
Approaching the topic of
another person’s mental health
requires a great deal of care, espe-
cially if that person is an employee
or colleague. And you should be
careful not to engage in work-
place discrimination based on
mental illness — not only because
that would be unethical but also
because it’s prohibited in the Amer-
icans with Disabilities Act. If you
are worried about a co-worker’s
mental health, you can and should
intervene, for everyone’s safety.
Implore human resources to enlist
some outside help. The following
letter writer sheds more light on
options.
Dear Annie: “P.U.’s” manager
is ineffective. He should mandate
an employee assistance program to
provide counseling and clearance
before the man is allowed back to
work. Most states require employee
assistance program agencies, but
sadly they are underutilized. —
Prevent Tragedy
Dear Prevent Tragedy: Thank
you for the helpful information on
employee assistance programs.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Whether or not
you consciously seek the company of kindred
spirits, as you spend more time with the things
that matter to you, they come out of the wood-
work, interested in what you’re doing.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You can feel
better by concentrating your effort on looking
better, and you can look better by concentrating
your effort on feeling better. No matter how you
approach it today, you are on the up and up.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You don’t always
claim credit for the marvelous outcomes you
create. Today you’ll likely give others a little more
credit than they deserve, which will be a morale
raiser.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your guiding
luminary, the moon, doesn’t prefer one state
to the other. Whether in shadows or fully seen,
the moon’s allure will still pull the tides. Your
magnetism will work in similarly powerful ways,
however you show up.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When you come to
the intersection, look both ways no matter what
color the lights are. Junctures of all kinds are
best handled with pause. The breath you take
between things will cleanse and renew you.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You may have
entrusted someone with a job they weren’t quite
ready for. Now it’s time to reassess whether
a cast change is needed, or perhaps there’s
a way to adjust the situation to better fit the
available talent.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). As the sign of the
scales, you can often speak to the justice of a
situation. However, today it’s about measuring,
not commenting on the measurement. In judg-
ing we become as bad as, if not worse than,
that which we judge.
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). In a gold rush,
the miners risk a lot to get rich. You know
who gets rich without the risk? Those in the
business of selling shovels. There’s something
desperately needed by the people around you
that you can provide.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Because
the mere idea of being bored stresses you out,
you’ll make exciting plans — and just in time!
Monotony is so loathsome to you that it could
actually weaken your immune system.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Are you really
in a game that only one team can win, or is this
more like a journey in which people can help
each other move forward? Competition has its
place, and that place is not called Everywhere.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’re not trying
to control anyone; you’re just making sure
that others aren’t controlling you. Even though
setting a boundary isn’t an offensive move, if
it’s taken that way, the result is the same. Use
diplomacy.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). People won’t
agree on what’s real, how it happened, what’s
important or how best to proceed. But they
will agree that something has to be done, and
many are ready to listen to each other to begin
to sort it out.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (April 19). A job
you’ve been at for a while will fascinate you
further as you give it even more of your atten-
tion. And this isn’t the only thing being revealed
to you on deeper levels this year. The details
of a special relationship will be glorious and
captivating. And there’s an enthralling venture in
October that brings money for years. Libra and
Taurus adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 11,
45, 21, 7 and 19.