DEAR ABBY: Here's one for your "Tasteless and Tacky" files.
A young co-worker was getting married -- a spur-of-the-moment thing. Having such short notice and being on a tight budget, my wife and I decided that a check for $30 would be our wedding gift.
Two weeks after the nuptials, the groom informed me that they had accidentally "washed" our gift when it went into the washing machine with the laundry, and the check was ruined. Then he asked me if I'd mind writing out another check in the same amount.
Without telling you what I did, I'd like to know what you think of his asking me to write another check, and how I should have handled the situation.
By the way, six months later they separated, were not speaking to each other, and the divorce papers were already filed. -- WONDERING IN THE WEST
DEAR WONDERING: This gives "laundering money" a new twist. His asking you to write another check to replace the one that went into the washing machine was not unreasonable. However, I suspect you delayed replacing the check until you were certain the marriage would last.