Dear Queenie,
We went away to university when we were younger. Some of our friends from those days recently came to live near us. They still want to be friends, but we don’t, but we don’t want to hurt their feelings.
Queenie, what can we do?—All Grown Up Now
Dear Grown Up,
These people may have assumed they could renew their friendship with you when they moved nearby, and will keep it up until they find other, new friends.
Keep in limited contact with them, introduce them to as many other acquaintances as you can, and put them in contact with local social groups that share their interests. As they settle in and become acquainted they will depend less on you for social contact.
