Dear Abby: Do I have to change my eating habits when I’m in public?

DEAR ABBY For as far back as I can remember I have eaten my meals one item at a time Related Articles Dear Abby My mom wants me to train my toddler in certain tasks It s not going to happen Dear Abby Her air freshener habit has led to an unexpected dilemma Dear Abby What I meant to be a compliment led to a big rift with my son s wife Dear Abby I don t want to butt in but yoga isn t going to fix her difficulty Dear Abby My husband is drifting along as a low-paid professor Is it time for an ultimatum I know this is different from the way most of people do it I have observed that the greater part people eat a bite of each food on their plate smooshed together I tried in the past to combine my foods but I do not enjoy the flavor as much as eating them separately When I eat my eggs over-medium I cut the whites off and eat them first Then I scoop the yolks up without latest them and eat them in one delicious bite When I was growing up my dad would suggest I combine my food but he never forced me to do it I m retired now and once a week I go to breakfast with a friend who watches me eat my eggs and accuses me of being eccentric Should I change the way I eat in community or am I entitled to be assured Am I eccentric ONE AT A TIME IN CALIFORNIA DEAR ONE AT A TIME If you think you are alone in eating each item separately allow me to offer particular comfort by telling you it is exactly what I do including cutting the whites off the eggs Maybe we are both eccentric or have a touch of OCD but heck who cares It s our food and we re gonna enjoy it just the way we want to DEAR ABBY My daughter was living in my garage apartment but then got married and moved away Her sister is in law school in another state and her brother is even farther away in graduate school I moved close enough to see them when they come to visit their hometown and their mother My ex-wife is flying the two out-of-state ones in for a visit and I demanded her if I could take them to lunch or dinner one of the days they are here She replied that because she paid for the flights she doesn t have to let me have any time with them She seems to have forgotten that she owes me more money than she spent to fly the kids in The last time I appealed she disclosed I could come to her house to see them but that was it Because she s being so unkind about this I wouldn t be settled I guess I m venting because there s really nothing I can do Any ideas on how not to feel bad about this SAD DAD IN TEXAS Related Articles Asking Eric The mother was flustered by a seemingly simple question Harriette Cole I d go out with him if it weren t for this woman s immature meddling Miss Manners I get vulnerable in front of a man and then this happens Dear Abby My mom wants me to train my toddler in certain tasks It s not going to happen Asking Eric Does this woman s behavior qualify as emotional hostage-taking DEAR DAD Your children are not kids They are adults now If you want to see them while they are in town you don t need to ask your ex-wife Reach out to them directly and ask what they would like to do From your description of your relationship with your ex it s clear you are not friendly but don t let that stop you You didn t mention how close your bond is with your son and soon-to-be-lawyer daughter but if it s not too late keep working to improve it TO MY READERS For those who celebrate Easter I wish you all a meaningful and memorable day Happy Easter everyone LOVE ABBY Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren also known as Jeanne Phillips and was founded by her mother Pauline Phillips Contact Dear Abby at www DearAbby com or P O Box Los Angeles CA