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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Dear Diane: Mind your own affairs

Diane Verhoeven King Features Syndicate

Dear Diane: Recently, I was walking through our local mall and passed by a “sports bar” that is famous for its busty waitresses in tight tops and skimpy shorts. Inside was a group of young boys — no more than 13 — whooping it up and ogling the women. Apparently, the mother of one of the boys thought it would be a good idea to hold her young charge’s 13th birthday party at an establishment that is barely one notch away from being a strip club.

Diane, I was so shocked, I stood in the entrance for several minutes wondering how any mother — let alone any woman — would give her business to such a despicable establishment. I did not enter the restaurant; nor did I confront the mother, even though I was sorely tempted to do so.

Diane, I am thinking of writing a letter to the home office of this company to complain. What should I say in order to get the best results? Also, if I HAD confronted the mother, what should I have said to her?

— Appalled in Arlington

Dear Appalled: What makes you think I’m on your side? Last time I checked, I wasn’t wearing a hat with a huge buckle on the front. If you want to write a letter to the corporate office of a restaurant and make yourself look like some wingnut puritan, that’s your business. Don’t ask me for help.

And as far as confronting the mother is concerned, you did the right thing by keeping your mouth shut. It’s none of your business. The boys were supervised, and no monkey business was going on.

From now on, keep your nose out of other people’s affairs. If people wanted you to run their world for them, they would’ve made you queen long ago.