DEAR ABBY: I am a 71-year-old only child who’s been married for 54 years. I have a terrible habit of interrupting when my wife is speaking. I’m trying to break this habit, which is difficult after so many years.
We had a bad argument today when she asked me to watch some “funny” YouTube clips. I declined because I was doing the weekly chore of setting up our many medical prescriptions for the week. She blew up saying it was OK for me to interrupt her but not the reverse.
She then went on to say how I interrupt her when she’s cooking, reading, on her computer or doing other activities. I asked when a good time was to talk to her and was told maybe never. Was I out of line or did this turn into an overreaction? — TALKATIVE LADY IN NORTH CAROLINA
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Abigail Van Buren
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DEAR LADY: It turned into an overreaction. Interestingly, your wife did not say you interrupted her while she was speaking. She mentioned interrupting certain activities. Has it occurred to you that the two of you may spend so much time together that you are getting on her nerves? Perhaps getting out of the house separately would give the two of you more breathing room.
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 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
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Dear Abby: Did my wife overreact when I asked her not to interrupt me while doing a chore?
Dear Abby: Did my wife overreact when I asked her not to interrupt me while doing a chore?
Dear Abby: Did my wife overreact when I asked her not to interrupt me while doing a chore?