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Where Do You Stand? Forwarding Emails

DearSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Email seems to be the most popular mode of communication these days. And when you're trying to plan something or relay a message, it's sometimes easier to just forward someone's email instead of retyping it, but that could easily lead to trouble. Since the Internet has a life of its own, you can never be too careful with your personal conversations or private information. So where do you stand when it comes to forwarding emails without permission? Is it something you do without thinking twice? Have you done it before and had it blow up in your face? Or has someone forwarded an email of yours that wasn't meant for anyone else's eyes?

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Handle This: Your Ex's New Girlfriend Wants Information

DearSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

After you broke up with your boyfriend you both kept in touch, and though you’re not close anymore, you’re still friendly. He recently started exclusively dating someone new who you actually know through a friend of a friend.

She’s a nice girl, and you have no hard feelings towards her, but you’re caught off-guard when you run into her and she immediately starts inquiring about your ex. She wants to know all sorts of personal details about his past including specifics about your relationship with him. You're speechless but that doesn't stop her from asking you to coffee so you can chat. It's an awkward situation to say the least so how do you handle this?

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A Do or a Don't: Going Into Detail

DearSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:00:00 -0700

When I’m being told one of my friend’s dating escapades, I like all the details. Maybe I’m just nosy, but I'd want to make an informed opinion if I’m asked for it. Likewise, I’m apt to walk my friends step-by-step through a situation I've been through. That’s me — I’m all about the details. But not all my friends share my enthusiasm for sharing the specifics.

Recently when I asked a friend to tell me all the juicy details about her date, she reproached me and said, “I want to keep some things to myself.” Immediately, I apologized, because I knew exactly what she meant — butt out. Are there things you’d rather just gloss over when dishing to your friends? Or when it comes to reliving your personal drama, are you a detail-oriented woman like myself?

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Dear Poll: Have You Ever Read a Friend's Diary?

DearSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Since so many of you admitted to snooping, I thought I'd take it one step further. In this crazy world we all live in, it seems that writing in a journal is one of the only times where we can be truly one with our feelings; to write out our deepest and darkest secrets and innermost thoughts. It should go without saying that someones journal or diary is a very private, sacred possession yet so many people jump at the opportunity to turn the pages of someone else's sentiments. I understand that certain desperate situations call for that invasion of privacy, but tell me, have you ever read a friend's diary out of mere curiosity?Source

Dear Poll: Have You Ever Read a Friend's Diary?

I'm guilty of reading a friend's journal and I still feel terrible for it to this day.

No, I've never read anyone's journal simply because I would feel so betrayed if someone did it to me.

Other — Please explain below.

Missouri County Posts Meth Lab Locations Online: Good Idea?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:45:51 -0700

If you're looking to move, chances are you suss out a neighborhood first: schools, crime rates, sex offenders nearby, and the like. If you live in Jefferson County, MO, you can add another criteria to your info gathering: whether a meth lab is located nearby. Not limited to hardcore crack houses, the sheriff's department is listing places where it's seized any materials tied to meth production that indicate a past presence of a secret drug lab in the past two years. Real estate agents are thrilled by the new development though schools and house size still top the list of important area details. With the release of the info however, nearby homeowners might worry that the released info could wreak havoc on their own home's value. The sheriff says, "We keep raising the bar on awareness. You either do something about it, or you stick your head in the sand." Jefferson County has one of the worst meth problems in the United States. The state of Missouri recorded 770 meth-lab incidents in the first six months of this year. Is their criteria too broad? Should a house be listed as a meth lab just for having evidence gathered? Is privacy at stake or is this progressive crime fighting?Source

Missouri County Posts Meth Lab Locations Online: Good Idea?

Privacy's at stake. Crime details shouldn't be on the web, it's a threat to the area.

Progressive crime fighting! Good for them for getting the info in the open and accessible.

Other. I'll tell you my opinion in the comments.

Dear Poll: Have You Ever Snooped?

DearSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Snooping is usually a pretty bad idea. Not only is it a violation of privacy, but it’s very rare that the snooper actually feels better after the misdeed. But still, many of us are prone to fits of curiosity and an open email account or unmanned cell phone can be too tempting. I’m not one to judge, so ladies, tell me, have you ever snooped? Source

Dear Poll: Have You Ever Snooped?

Yes, hasn’t everyone at one point or another?

I did, but it was totally called for!

I’ve been tempted, but never gone through with it.

Not me. It's a true invasion of privacy.

Other — Please share below.

Where Do You Stand? Sharing the Family Dirt With Friends

DearSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0700

It seems like along the way, every family manages to gain a few secrets or drama-filled issues. And often the family gossip can have a serious effect on your day-to-day life. As with all personal strife, it’s natural to want to talk it out with friends, but sometimes spilling family news can feel a bit disloyal. So where do you stand on sharing your family drama with friends? What about your significant other?

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Relationship Protocol: Have You Ever Embarrassed Each Other?

DearSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0700

As your relationship develops and you grow closer together, eventually you begin to learn the more intimate details of your partner like his particular neuroses and even his bathroom habits. Being privy to so much private information about the other, it would be simple to break one of the good standby relationship rules — making the other person look good — by revealing one of those intimate details to others. Fortunately, most of us have enough commonsense to avoid such an indiscretion.

But sometimes, whether we're feeling particularly spiteful or simply suffering a slip of the tongue, certain bits of information, opinions, or behaviors, which you'd bother rather keep private, can make their way into a social setting and serious embarrassment can ensue. Hopefully this doesn't happen often, but ladies, have you and your man ever embarrassed each other? If so, was it intentional or totally accidental?

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Room Therapy: Help Me Make My Bedroom More Livable!

casasugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:15:01 -0700

Hi Casa,

I'm a student who recently moved into a huge four-bedroom apartment with four other girls. We converted a den into a bedroom, which also means that my room opens into the sunroom. While there is a lot of space, there isn't closet space anywhere. I have questions about making this space more liveable.

How do I get hanging space on the cheap? I only have one more year of school to go! And don't want to spend too much money.
I inherited a really old bed (no headboard) and was wondering what's an easy/cheap way to make it look nicer?
The sunroom has huge windows that overlook the street. I love the sunlight but the lack of privacy makes me nervous especially since it's on the first floor. Any way can I create some privacy while still maintaining sunlight?
Thanks!
Princessjaslew

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A Do or a Don't: Spreading the Word About a New Love Interest

DearSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:00:00 -0700

When we meet someone new or find ourselves with that butterfly feeling, the natural inclination is to share the news with friends, family, and whoever else might listen. There’s so much pleasure in going over the details of a chance encounter or eye-opening date, but sometimes sharing too much too soon can lead to feelings of embarrassment and rejection if things don’t work out.

It’s fun to talk about a guy asking for your number, but it can be painful to later disclose that he never called. While I love to hear about my friends’ escapades no matter the outcome, I understand when they keep things under wraps until they get more serious. Does this ring true for you? Do you tend to spread the word about a new love interest? Or do you think it’s better to keep it quiet at first until you have an idea of how things will pan out?

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