The Daily Record
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been together for eight years. When we first met, I was in the military and she was a bartender. Needless to say, she made far more money than I did at the time. Six months into our relationship, she got pregnant and quit her job. For the next seven years she raised our children and went to school while I did whatever I had to do — working two jobs — to make enough to pay the bills.
I am now out of the military. I have been at a company for six years, and we are finally reaching a point where we don’t worry about money as much. She will graduate from school soon, and hopefully start working right after. She now says that when she starts working, she wants to keep separate bank accounts and split the bills evenly based on pay.
Until now, I haven’t resented her for not working because she has been caring for our children, our home and has been a full-time student, but the thought of her wanting to keep her money to herself is weird and hurtful to me. How can I bring this up with her without it making it seem like I think she owes me something? — SEPARATE ACCOUNTS IN TEXAS DEAR SEPARATE ACCOUNTS: Ask your wife why she wants to separate your finances, because marriage is supposed to be a partnership. She does “owe you something” — an explanation. ****** DEAR ABBY: I own a popular small cafe in the city. With only 12
DEAR ABBY
ABIGAIL VAN BUREN
tables (and no use of our patio during inclement weather), the restaurant fills up quickly and there is a long line at the door, especially on weekends.
I’m delighted to have so many wonderful guests and be in this predicament. But what can I do without being rude when, long after their meals, customers don’t pick up on hints that we need the table? I think some people genuinely don’t realize the imposition, while others simply don’t care. How do I politely convey that “time’s up”? — HINT, HINT DEAR H.H.: I discussed your letter with an experienced restaurateur. He said the answer to your question depends upon whether the “table hogs” (my words) are regular patrons. If they are, let them nurse their coffee and continue their conversations. If they aren’t, then simply tell them there is a line of people waiting and you need the table. Business is business.
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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.Dear-Abby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.