Don’t simply brush off inappropriate incident

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/05/2025 (472 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I was waiting in a long line at the grocery store with everyone pretty close together. Suddenly, I thought I felt a pinch on my behind. I couldn’t believe it, so I didn’t do anything.

A few minutes later, it happened again, but harder. I whirled around and this old man and a little boy were scurrying off. I stood there stunned, and then I said out loud, “Somebody pinched me.”

The woman ahead of me said to tell the checkout person and get them to call security, but I was in a big hurry and really didn’t have time that night.

Also, if it was the little boy doing it, I didn’t want him to get a spanking from his grandfather. But I’m still wondering, what should I really have done?

— Pinched, River Heights

Dear Pinched: I’m betting on the grandfather as the ringleader, as he knew to get them both away fast.

Call security at that store, even now. Give them the date and approximate time the bottom-pinching happened.

If they are building a case — like maybe grandpa and/or his grandson are regularly doing this for a joke — it might help staff to head them off next time.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I’ve been watching from the second-floor balcony of our new home as this new family’s moving crew starts bringing in furniture next door.

Then a snazzy sports car arrived and the owner got out, and immediately started yelling at the workmen. I recognized that booming voice because he used to be my boss years and years ago.

How did we end up living side-by-side now? I married a wonderful man as my second husband, but now how do we find a way to live next door to my loud and grumpy ex-employer? How do I handle this?

— Worried Ex-Employee, Tuxedo

Dear Worried: At least give your new neighbour a chance, once he’s settled in, to show he’s different than his initial behaviour indicates. If you start off being distant and unfriendly, you might get that old attitude. But, for a lot of people, they can quite different at home than they are at their place of work. Hopefully your ex-employer will be kinder in his non-work life. With any luck, he’ll be much nicer with his partner and family and will enjoy unwinding away from his job.

So start off being a good-natured and helpful neighbour and you might actually like your ex-employer’s at-home persona.

Invite your new neighbours over for a casual barbecue and games evening and see how it goes. You may be pleasantly surprised by their response — or maybe not — but it’s still worth a try.

Please send your questions to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Maureen Scurfield
Advice columnist

Maureen Scurfield writes the Miss Lonelyhearts advice column.

   Read full biography