Columnist
Robin Abrahams, a Cambridge-based writer with a PhD in psychology, writes the weekly “Miss Conduct” column for The Boston Globe Magazine. Read more of Miss Conduct’s wit and wisdom at boston.com/missconduct.
Latest stories
Miss Conduct
Inviting the no-shows
By Robin Abrahams,
Miss Conduct: Chronic picnic no-shows > How many times do you have to invite your husband’s friends to cookouts and gatherings if they never attend? We have a large group of friends, but one couple never come and don’t have a reason. I feel as if it’s a waste of my time and effort. I am always the one to organize everything, and I find it a lost cause. Anonymous / Rockford, Illinois Be charitable toward the No-Shows — they might have reasons for begging off that they don’t feel comfortable sharing. Given that they’ve been begging off for years, though, it would be logical to assume that those “reasons” aren’t going to change anytime soon, and drop them off your list.
Miss Conduct
On over-thanking
By Robin Abrahams,
Miss Conduct: Can you express too much gratitude? Plus, whether to contact someone you wronged.
Miss Conduct
The unkind kidder
By Robin Abrahams,
When to put up with someone who follows up insults with ‘just joking.’ And when not to.