They Charge For What You Use

Dear Ann Landers: My beloved aunt has been wanting to go visit her children in Toledo for several years. She is a working woman of modest means. My sister and I (also working women) would like to buy her a ticket for her birthday in February. The problem is as follows:

Aunt “Maisie” weighs at least 550 pounds. There is no way she can fit into a regular seat on a plane.

We phoned two airlines and were told we would have to buy two tickets in either coach or first class. Isn’t this discrimination? Shouldn’t this be considered illegal under the anti-discrimination act? Please respond in the column. The public should know about this. - Livid in Boston

Dear Livid: Sorry, I must side with the airlines. They are in the business of selling space. If your aunt requires two seats, you must expect to pay for them.

I phoned American Airlines and asked if there were any other restrictions against morbidly obese passengers. The reply was “Only one. They may not be seated in the emergency-exit row.” P.S.: Others excluded from the emergency-exit row are passengers under 15 or over 65, those with handicaps and non-English-speaking travelers.

Dear Ann Landers: I have a dear sister with whom I have been close since childhood. Last year, “Agatha” called from her home 2,500 miles away and asked if she could use my credit card to rent a car when she came to visit me.

Agatha’s credit cards were revoked several years ago. If I loaned her my card, I would be responsible for any damages to her car. I am a struggling single mother of two and cannot afford such financial risk.

When I told Agatha, “Sorry, I don’t lend my credit cards to anyone,” she told me off and hasn’t spoken to me or answered my letters for more than a year.

I love Agatha very much, even though we don’t always agree. How can I get her to understand? - Miss My Sis in Michigan

Dear Michigan: Agatha sounds as if she is not only irresponsible but unreasonable. Chances are, had you loaned her your credit card, eventually, you would have been stuck with her charges and then the relationship would have blown up anyway.

If your sister has ignored you for over a year because of this incident, she is a “user.” But do keep the lines of communication open in case she wants to reconnect. Make it easy for her.

Dear Ann Landers: I’ve had enough of those “you owe me sex” letters. It has never been determined how much sex is “normal.” Furthermore, no one knows exactly why some people have a stronger sex drive than others.

I refuse to believe something is wrong with me because I don’t want my husband hot and wild all the time. I know that sex is important in a marriage, but if that’s all there is, the marriage is doomed. - Jamestown, N.C.

Dear N.C.: Amen, sister. When the first flames of passion die down, if there is nothing of substance to keep the embers glowing, the fire goes out.

Good sex is like the frosting on the cake, but it’s the meat and potatoes that provide the nourishment.

Gem of the Day: It has been said that the difference between savagery and civilization is a little courtesy. There is no telling what a lot of courtesy might do, but it’s worth a try. I recommend it.