We go out for dinner with a couple in our building; it’d be rude not to, since we’ve gotten into a habit of planning to get together once a month. They’re both nice, decent people with a lot of common interests to ours.
However, the husband, whenever a topic gets political, the husband issues strong, controlling statements, saying, “These are the facts!” and effectively blocks debate. This drives my husband crazy, as he’s very well read and tends to have more balanced views. He resents being shut down by a biased opinion.
Should we decline the dinners and risk the embarrassment when we meet them in the lobby or elevator?

- Awkward Nights

What ever happened to healthy debate?
An important hallmark of a free society – and good friendships, too – is people being able to discuss differing opinions, and being open to learning from each other.
Hubby has a voice and should use it. He could set the stage at the beginning of the next dinner, as in, “(Bob), We can agree to disagree on our politics, but when one of us has an opinion or information to share, we’re going to discuss it, and not close each other down.”
If (Bob) can’t take the heat of rational debate, you’ll have less invitations and less awkward meals.

My husband and I have both earned very well for years; I’m still working as a senior executive, while he retired at 45 and relies on investments, much of which he “hid” tax-free in offshore accounts. I disagreed with this, and with other of his behaviours I found less than honourable, and so I’m divorcing him. I’ve lost love as well as respect.
However, he’s now suing me for support, showing little income compared to mine. I’m debating whether to “out” him on his true income – possibly embarrassing our sons (19 and 22) – or just pay him off and move on.

- Unjust Divorce

Take the high road; you seem to be affluent enough to manage this, and still have a substantial income to carry on.
Going public against him would not only embarrass your sons, but could also create nasty gossip and speculation about you which can be unpleasant in your senior status at work. (e.g. as in the Madoff-style spin-off: how much was the wife complicit in this tax evasion? etc.)
Currently, your position has been one of higher values and integrity. Bringing a husband down, if you don’t have to, would lessen that stance in your sons’ eyes, and perhaps even challenge the values you’ve modelled till now.
Yes, it’s unfair for him to get away with the lie, but eventually, “dishonourable behaviour” comes to light, somehow.
Get your lawyer to strike a deal with this jerk that you can live with, and move on.

My friend asked me to take her dog while she went away; I agreed way back, and then later moved into a new apartment.
Over two weeks, the dog repeatedly soiled my carpets before I could get him outside. My friend hadn’t told me the dog’s only partly house-trained, and still uses paper in her basement.
I think she should pay for cleaning my carpets. She brought me an inexpensive bracelet.

- Am I Wrong?

Show the rugs, and then ask her to arrange for cleaning them. Say that had you known the dog’s limited house-training you’d have had to refuse to take him.
If she won’t pay, this is a one-sided friendship, not worth the bracelet.

My girlfriend’s mother calls her repeatedly. She’s the eldest child, and though she’s moved on her own, has a demanding job and a boyfriend, she’s still expected to help her parents with everything – picking up groceries, helping her sister with homework, doing the family’s paperwork, etc. Later, Mama still wants to “talk.”
How can I help my girlfriend get some time for her and for us?

- Unfair Family

Talk to your girlfriend about how much daily family involvement she wants. If she agrees with you, she needs to set boundaries on her time and presence.
Paperwork can be limited to a once weekly or monthly task, not every request. Groceries can be done once a week, leaving the family to handle small pick-ups when there’s no emergency.
Mom can be told the best time to call and chat; otherwise, she’s too busy and won’t answer. (This is hard, but works over time).