Annie’s Mailbox: Time for wife to stand up for you

Dear Annie: I need some advice on how to handle put-downs from my wife’s friends. It started when our nosy neighbor saw my wife beat me in a wrestling match. Now the neighbor makes remarks about my getting beat up by a woman.

My wife refuses to come to my defense and says I have to deal with this woman myself. How do I deal with these gossipy bullies? – Vince

Dear Vince: It might help if you make yourself less of an easy target. You allow this neighbor to discombobulate you. Ignore her, or laugh it off. Her opinions are unimportant. But tell your wife that you expect her to stick up for you when her friends insult you because she would certainly want you to do the same.

Dear Annie: This is in response to “Questioning in California,” who is converting to Judaism and whose friends are not supportive of her new kosher eating habits.

I’m not Jewish, but my husband is. For the past seven years, we have kept a strictly kosher kitchen. I recommend she learn how to make some tasty, unconventional kosher dishes and invite her friends over. I make an amazing Southwestern quesadilla and Kung Pao chicken. My husband makes gourmet pizza. We host every Thanksgiving and serve a traditional (kosher) turkey with all the trimmings.

With all this good food around, our friends and family adjusted quickly, and some of them even use our recipes. The lactose intolerant are always glad to know that many dishes served in our house are completely dairy free. In fact, I recommend kosher cookbooks to anyone who is lactose intolerant. – Kosher in California