Long Friendship Collapses Over Missing Item
Dear Abby | April 17th, 2024 | Letter 2 of 3
DEAR ABBY: A childhood friend generously invited me to stay at his home for a visit. We had a great time. A few days after I left, he texted me that something expensive was missing from his home and asked if I knew anything about it. I told him I was sorry to hear the bad news and I don't know what happened. He has now blocked me on all forms of communication. I suppose he thinks I had something to do with the missing item. I wonder if I could have handled the situation differently. Should I have perhaps offered to compensate him for at least part of the value of the missing item despite not being responsible for its disappearance? I don't want to appear to admit fault, but I'm sad that our friendship has apparently ended over this. -- INNOCENT IN FLORIDA.
DEAR INNOCENT: If you offer to compensate your host, it WILL look like an admission of guilt. Don't do it. If you feel you must say anything at this point, write the person a letter expressing that not only are you sorry he is missing the item in question, but also that its disappearance has ended what was, to you, a treasured friendship. Period.
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