Annie’s Mailbox: Wife getting more bitter with age

Dear Annie: My wife of nearly 55 years has had a negative attitude for a long time, but it has gotten worse in the past few years. She has become very critical. For instance, she doesn’t care for a local hospital, and in social settings, she proceeds to warn everyone about a long list of grievances she has heard from a secondhand source. She ignores the fact that those to whom she is speaking are not interested in the information.

She endlessly criticizes all family members about everything they do, and not in a constructive way. Every communication includes her high-handed disapproval of their activities to the dismay of everyone within earshot. How can I stop these critiques of everyone and everything? – Tired of Listening

Dear Tired: Some people, as they get older, become more negative and critical. Often, they don’t realize it’s happening. We suggest you gently tell your wife that she is coming across as a bitter person and surely she wouldn’t want others to think ill of her. Perhaps you could work out a silent signal to let her know when her conversation is sliding into the dark side, so she can control it.

Dear Annie: Instead of telling “Grossed Out” to contact the health department, she should first speak to the owner immediately. As a restaurant owner myself, I definitely would want to know if an employee was licking her fingers when serving ice cream. It’s unlikely the employee would show her offenses during an inspection.

Since “Grossed” is concerned that the owner might retaliate, maybe she could simply ask the employee, “Aren’t you supposed to wear gloves?” According to the standards set by the health department, all employees must wear gloves when prepping, cooking or handling food.

The general public would be surprised to know how much sickness is passed along by such health no-nos. – Sweet Home Alabama