These Rules Measure Up

Dear Ann Landers: I am 71 years old and have been reading your column every day for at least 40 years.

I just read your Golden Rules for Living. I have a list called Home Rules:

If you sleep on it - make it up.

If you wear it - hang it up.

If you drop it - pick it up.

If you eat out of it - put it in the sink.

If you spill it - wipe it up.

If you empty it - fill it up.

If it rings - answer it.

If it howls - feed it.

If it cries - love it.

If you think my list is good enough to use in your column, please do so. - Louise McCall, California

Dear Louise: I do, and I did. Thanks for a good start for a Saturday.

Dear Ann Landers: What, if anything, should I do when I see people stealing food in the grocery store? They take fruit, candy and nuts and put them in their mouths. I’ve seen people open packages of cookies and stand there eating them as if it were perfectly OK to do so. What’s even worse is that they do this in the presence of their children. They may not realize it, but they are teaching their children to shoplift.

The store managers I have informed about this just shrug their shoulders and raise prices. Is it fair that decent people should have to pay for the boorishness and dishonesty of others? I would appreciate your comments on this. - Winnetka, Calif., Observer

Dear Winnetka: You have informed the store manager - that’s enough. Twenty-five years ago, I might have suggested that you say something to the cookie nibbler or the grape pincher, but not today. Too many people carry knives and guns these days. My advice is MYOB. Meanwhile, if your children are with you, let them know that they should never eat anything in a store unless they pay for it. To do otherwise is the same as stealing.

Dear Ann Landers: My significant other and I disagree on something, and we hope you will settle it.

“Gina” insists that whenever you invite guests to dinner at your home, you should always ask if they have any special food restrictions (diabetic, allergies, salt-free, vegetarian, kosher, etc.). I say it’s the guest’s responsibility to inform the hostess of specific food restrictions if there are any. When I invite guests to dinner, I get to pick the menu.

We would appreciate your opinion. - Curious in Northampton, Mass.

Dear Curious: You win this one. Most people have no specific food restrictions. Guests who do have special requirements should inform the host or hostess when the invitation is issued. If the guest feels it will be a major hardship for the hostess, it would be especially considerate to offer to bring his or her own food.

Gem of the Day: Horse sense is the ability to say “nay” before the barn door closes.

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