DEAR ABBY: I am a very conservative woman. I don't drink, dance, wear makeup or pants. I enjoy the company of friends despite our differences and thought they enjoyed mine.
On our most recent outing, however, they mocked my religious jewelry, commented on my "lack of fashion," and made me feel guilty for not wanting to stay out late.
Despite this, they are great friends and would help me at the drop of a hat. I don't bring up their being overweight, or that I think some of the clothes they wear are ugly. I don't criticize them for sleeping around. I wish they would accept me for who I am.
I am considering not going out with them the next time they ask, but I don't really want it to come to that. Any suggestions? -- JUST AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL
DEAR OLD-FASHIONED: Just this: It's time for you to start cultivating relationships with people whose values are more like your own. The friends you have described may be lovely, but their comments were out of line and folks are known by the company they keep. If you spend a lot of time with the women you have described, people will begin to make assumptions about YOU.