Advice Column: Dear Rose

Dear Rose,
I have a friend who always wants to get together to go out to eat. She is not as well off as I am, so many times I volunteer to take care of the bill. The problem is that now she almost expects it. She buys an appetizer, a big dinner and then gets dessert. I am not a millionaire, and think that she is taking advantage of my kindness. Last time we went out, I made it clear that she could pay for her own. Why do people do that and then say they are your friend? What happened to people just being nice and considerate of others? I feel bad about the whole thing and don’t need that right now.
Ticked off

Dear Ticked,
It is hard to know what your friend’s motive is without talking to her, but it would appear that she just thought you were a “meal ticket” in some ways. Stand back and see if she is giving and caring in other ways. If she is a taker and does not contribute to the friendship, it might be time to find other friends.

Dear Rose,
I am in the third grade. I have nice clothes, but they are different than my friend’s. My mother makes me wear dresses because we are Christians. My friends get to wear slacks and shorts. It makes me feel different. My mom said that I could write to you about it.
Too dressed up

Dear Too dressed up,
Thank you for writing to me. Tell your mom thanks too. It is good for kids to do what their parents think is right as long as it does not go against what the Ten Commandments say, or what is against the law. It probably does not make you feel good to wear the dresses, but it may build character that will help as you get older. Maybe since mom said that you could write, she has some ideas she might like to compromise with. There are some cute culotte’s patterns out there.