Dear Queenie,
I have a friend who calls me every night just when I’m getting ready to watch TV or go to bed, and I have to spend an hour or so listening to her tell me about all her problems.
Queenie, I don’t want to be mean, but how do I get her to stop calling so much?—Fed-up friend
Dear Friend,
Tell your friend that you do not want to miss this great TV programme, or that you are tired and need to get some sleep, or that you are expecting an important call from someone else, and ask her to call back tomorrow. Then say “goodbye” and hang up.
And when you do listen to her, suggest that she might benefit from professional counselling that you are not qualified to give her.
