Then check out their advice on a variety of social quandariesincluding how to deal with friendship falling outsbelow.
Want their advice on a sticky social situation?
Meaning:Fall leaf pickupis either a big chore or a big expense for us.
Photo:Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
HODA KOTB:Well, its not the neighbors fault that the wind blows toward you.
I think you may just have to suck it up and deal with the leaf removal.
JENNA BUSH HAGER:Yeah, part of being in a community is doing things for others.
Think about it: When they do something for you, that counts as returning the favor.
HK:In a perfect world, neighbors help each other.
One day itll snow and someone might help you shovel.
I would handle the leaf removal on your own.
Pay someone to do it if you’re able to.
If you dont have a couple hundred bucks, I understand; you might have to do it yourself.
Maybe a neighbor will see you out there and join in.
She was never especially nice to me, and she has tried (sometimes successfully!)
to turn other people in our group against us.
We are grown adults in our 50s.
We have a small community event coming up, and I know it will be very hard.
How should I behave that night, without wearing my heart on my sleeve?
You have to let it go.
Remind yourself that sometimes relationships have a beginning, a middle, and an end.
It seems like this relationship is over, and now you have to accept that.
But her turning other people against you is not cool.
JBH:Its really not!
And lets appreciate the friends who outed her for trying to turn them against you!
Jenna Bush Hager
Sometimes relationships have a beginning, a middle, and an end.
Do I have a right to be upset?
JBH:I get why youre bothered by this.
HK:Im actually wondering if theyre planning on surprising you!
JBH:Yeah, maybe they have something planned!
Its OK to ask.
If these are your closest people, you should feel comfortable telling them what you want.
HK:Thats right.
They might say theyve already got something planned, or they might apologize and explain how busy theyve been.
Either way, Im guessing theyll want to celebrate with you.
After a meal, she feels the need to immediately floss.
She does thisatthe dinner table in a restaurant, or as soon as we get in the car.
I feel like she should do this in the restroom, and I have told her so.
Is this cool or not?
Thanks for your input!
HK:Flossing your teeth while sitting at the table is not cool.
JBH:No, its not.
Thats how you should lay it out.
Say itsyourissue, to kinda put it more on you and less on her.
She might accept that more than if you essentially called her gross.
JBH:I think saying the word bugaboo in any sentence makes things light.
Tone is everything when youre addressing something personal like this.
Remember, this is a dear friend!
And shes alienating people around her when theres a perfectly good bathroom nearby!
Have an Etiquette Question?
Email Jenna and Hoda at modernmanners@realsimple.com.
