October 31st 2024.
On principle, I would also be upset about this. But fear not, because Metro's agony aunt Em Clarkson is here to listen and provide solutions to your problems. With her vast knowledge and experience, she will guide you through the difficulties of dealing with conflicts and issues in various situations.
In this week's column, Em tackles reader conundrums relating to problematic relationships with siblings' partners and workplace conflicts. Let's dive into these real-life situations and see what advice Em has for us.
The first dilemma comes from a reader who has never been on good terms with their sister's boyfriend. However, for the sake of family harmony, they have agreed to be civil towards each other. Despite this, there is a recurring issue when it comes to their annual family vacation – the boyfriend does not contribute towards any expenses. As the only non-relative joining the trip, this reader feels it is unfair for them to shoulder the financial burden. They are torn between staying silent due to past issues with the boyfriend or speaking up about their financial struggles.
Em understands the frustration and agrees that it is not unreasonable to feel angry about this situation. She also acknowledges that the reader's feelings are likely intensified by the fact that they earn less than the rest of the family. Em suggests approaching the conversation from a different angle, expressing concern about the overall cost and suggesting alternative ways to cover expenses. This way, the reader can avoid directly addressing the boyfriend's lack of contribution while still addressing their concerns.
Next, Em moves on to a workplace conflict between two colleagues. One reader is feeling ostracized by a colleague they considered to be a friend. With the arrival of a new colleague, the dynamics have shifted, and the reader feels left out. Em advises the reader to communicate their feelings with their colleague, and also reminds them to consider their desired outcome before having the conversation. If the reader wants to restore their friendship, they should address the issue calmly and openly. However, if they simply want peace in the workplace, it may be best to let it go and focus on building relationships with other colleagues.
In her role as Metro's agony aunt, Em is dedicated to providing honest and helpful advice to readers. With her large following on social media and reputation for being genuine, Em is excited to extend her guidance to Metro's readers. No topic is off-limits, and readers are encouraged to send in their questions for Em to answer in future columns. So if you have a problem you need help with, don't hesitate to reach out to Em.
In summary, Em Clarkson is here to be your sounding board, your source of wisdom, and your virtual nightclub bathroom buddy. While she may not be a substitute for therapy, Em is ready to offer her perspective and support in any way she can. So let's all take advantage of her expertise and make our lives a little easier.
As I dive into this week's reader conundrums, let's welcome our agony aunt Em Clarkson, who's ready to dish out some sound advice. From handling sibling's partner issues to dealing with work conflicts, Em is here to guide us through it all.
One of our readers shares their struggle with getting along with their sister's boyfriend. Although they've agreed to be civil, tensions still arise. Every year, the family goes on a holiday together, and now the boyfriend joins in as well. As the only non-blood relative, he never offers to pay for anything - not even food, drinks, or accommodation. The reader is unsure if their anger towards this is justified, considering their past history with the boyfriend and their lower income compared to the rest of the family.
Well, I don't think you're being unreasonable at all. This is the kind of thing that would bother anyone on principle. It must be frustrating to see someone else enjoying the holiday at your expense. Especially when it's someone you don't particularly like. While you may have to suck it up to some extent, there's a way to address this without it becoming an awkward confrontation.
Instead of focusing on the boyfriend's lack of contribution, you could approach it from the perspective of your own expenses. Maybe you could suggest finding a different way to cover the costs, considering your lower income. This also opens up the conversation to address how other members of the family could contribute more fairly.
However, it's also important to consider what you hope to achieve through this conversation. If it's simply a sense of justice, you may need to adjust your expectations because the boyfriend may not change. But if there's a possibility of a tangible difference, then it's worth having the conversation. At the end of the day, you know what outcome will bring you peace of mind.
Moving on to our next reader's dilemma, a young woman shares her experience of being excluded by a colleague she considered a friend. After working and sitting together for almost a year, a new woman joined their team, and things changed.
Being left out by someone you thought was a friend is never easy, especially at work where we spend most of our time. It's natural to feel hurt and confused. Have you tried talking to your colleague about this? Maybe there's a misunderstanding that can be resolved. If not, it might be a good idea to focus on building relationships with other colleagues and not let this one person's behavior affect you. Remember, it's not your responsibility to please everyone, and sometimes it's best to distance yourself from negative energy.
As our Metro columnist Emily Clarkson always says, no topic is off-limits. So, if you have a question for our agony aunt, feel free to email us. Em is ready to offer her wisdom and be the supportive friend we all need in tough times. With over 300,000 followers on Instagram and a reputation for being an honest influencer, Em is here to listen and guide us through our problems. So, don't hesitate to reach out to her.
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