Our celebrity agony aunt, Vanessa Feltz, tackles your problems with her usual wit, wisdom and humour
CAN’T WE ALL MOVE ON?!
I’ve had the same group of friends since university. Two of them were happily married for 21-years – until a few years ago. Their divorce has totally changed the dynamics of the group, given they can’t be in the same room with each other, and none of us know who’s allowed to talk to who, without the other getting upset! I just feel we are all adults and should have a grown-up approach to this. I miss getting together.
It’s been years and life is short. Any ideas on how I can move this forward for us all?
Some divorced couples simply can’t bear the sight of each other. In time they might calm down and be able to tolerate being in the same room but that is really a matter for them. Instead of focusing on your own frustration that your friendship group dynamic has changed, try to put yourself in their shoes. Don’t put them under pressure at this difficult time. Be flexible and organise to enjoy their company separately. Time is a great healer. The situation can change but not because you are fed up and losing patience.
NEIGHBOUR’S DOG WON’T STOP BARKING!
Despite my polite complaint about my neighbour’s dog barking at unsociable hours, nothing has been done about the noise, and I don’t know what to do! I really wouldn’t want to fall out with them totally, I hate confrontation and we do have to live near each other after all, but it’s really affecting my sleep. I’m a woman on my own and I just feel if a man were with me, they wouldn’t have ignored my request. What would you do?
Make recordings of the dog at the same time every night for two weeks. Then contact the noise abatement officer at your local council with the evidence you have compiled. If the barking is a
