DEAR ABBY: I am writing regarding the letter from "Tired of Being Taken for Granted," whose fiance is out socializing and leaving her at home. This lady may be in a committed relationship, but her fiance, Ric, is not committed to anything but HIMSELF.
I write from experience. I have been married for 40 years to a Ric. I've sat at home, been excluded and treated with disrespect by my Ric.
It's not the friends who cause the problem -- it's Ric. All the excuses he gives about why he must be without her are purely selfish, insensitive reasons to stay noncommitted.
He has a cook, cleaning lady and a bed partner without a commitment to a relationship. Do you honestly think it will get better? No way!
My message for this woman is: Run while you can. You deserve better. -- BEEN THERE AND STILL THERE IN ILLINOIS
DEAR BEEN THERE: After 40 years of the kind of married life you described, I understand why this letter struck a nerve. You echoed my original reply by stating that it's not the friends who are the cause of the problem -- it's Ric. And if he's unwilling to change, she would be better off without him.