Some Way To Raise A Child

Dear Ann Landers: I have worked in the same company for over 12 years and have always had a comfortable working relationship with my boss and my colleagues.

Yesterday, my boss brought his daughter’s fourth grade homework assignment to me and asked that I or one of my assistants type it up. After much consideration, I walked into his office and told him I thought it was inappropriate for him to ask this. I explained that he was doing a grave disservice to his daughter by not insisting she complete her own homework. I told him I would not do his child’s homework, but since he was the boss, I would ask someone else to do it if he so demanded. He said he would consider the matter.

Today, I found out he personally asked my assistant to complete his daughter’s homework. Mind you, the girl is almost 10 years old. I was livid, not to mention disappointed at this turn of events. Please comment. - Double Duty in Dallas

Dear D.D. in Dallas: I feel sorry for that child. She is going to have a rough time in life if her father continues to do things for her that she should do for herself.

I admire you for refusing to type the child’s homework. It took a lot of courage. Too bad your refusal didn’t send a message to Dad.

Dear Ann Landers: I work at a stressful job and cannot always take a full lunch hour. A group of us at work decided to order something by phone from a well-known hot dog house in Largo, Fla. I wanted two “Chicago Dogs” with all the trimmings. The price was $2.41 apiece.

Imagine my disappointment when I looked in the sack and saw a small boiled hot dog on a bun with three little bits of onion, a quarter of a teaspoon (maybe) of relish and what may have been a dab of mustard, but it was hard to tell.

This really bothered me, so I called the restaurant and spoke with the owner. I told him I wasn’t expecting my money back, but I wanted him to know how disappointed I was with his preparation of take-out food. He was very gracious and offered to send over two Chicago hot dogs, plus my money back for the first ones. I accepted.

Very soon after, a delivery person was at the door with two fresh hot dogs. They were delicious.

A few days later, a check for $4.82 was hand-delivered to my office, along with a letter from the owner of the hot dog place, thanking me for taking the time to criticize their service. He said, “Too many people are willing to accept poor or mediocre service and avoid speaking up when they are not satisfied. This is especially sad for small-business owners because we are deprived of both the knowledge of our mistakes and the chance to atone for them.”

I was very impressed that a small business like this actually cared what I thought. - Janet in Tarpon Springs, Fla.

Dear Janet: Let’s hear it for the owner of that hot dog place in Largo. He knows how to keep his customers happy.

P.S. Stay out of airport restaurants. I recently bought a hot dog at one of the country’s busiest. It cost $3.05 - just a wiener and bun. There was a bottle of ketchup and a jar of mustard on the counter. (I remember the Coney Island in Sioux City where a hot dog with all the trimmings, chili, onions, etc. was a nickel. For another nickel, you could get a plate of french fries. What memories!)