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Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Asking Eric: My husband smells
Dear Eric: I've been married for a few decades to someone who lacks self-awareness about the impact of his choice not to shower for several days, sometimes more than a week. He doesn't even shower after he works out/runs. He also wears the same underwear for days at a time. When I tell him he smells he says he can't smell anything. Believe me, he smells. He seems not to care or believe what I tell him about good hygiene practices. Maybe if he hears your opinion on the matter of good hygiene for men it might crack open a willingness to change. – Keeping the Windows Open Dear Windows: If he doesn't heed your comments about his body odor, as someone who loves him and lives with him, I doubt he cares what I think. But here's the facts: personal hygiene is personal, but one's personal hygiene practices impact those around them. This is true of people who don't bathe and also people who are fastidious about bathing and douse themselves in cologne, and everyone else in between. We don't live in bubbles (metaphorically, or in your husband's case, perhaps literally). Beyond the odor issue, is there a communication problem here? Because if you're telling him about an aspect of your shared life that's causing you problems (and, frankly, a health concern), and he's dismissing it, what else is he dismissing? Are there other concerns of yours that he doesn't take seriously? I'm not trying to problematize your marriage. I hope this is the only issue you two have. However, when a spouse brings up an issue, it's always best for the couple to work together to find a solution. There's got to be a way for both of you to be happy and happily share a space. Dear Eric: The letter from 'Burning Questions, Not Hillsides', who was trying to keep a friend from smoking in their backyard, reminded me of a little decorative plaque I made and used to display in my home years ago. I was a young adult and mother in the 1970s and 1980s when smoking was still common. I do not recall if I created this little verse or if I read it somewhere. (My apologies to the author if I inadvertently plagiarized.) It read: 'Welcome to our non-smoking home. If you are seen smoking, we will assume that you are on fire and treat you accordingly.' I probably still have it packed away somewhere but thankfully would not need to display it in 2025. – Sign of the Times Dear Sign: I love a cheeky sign that also helpfully lets friends know how to be good guests. Dear Eric: I have a distant relationship with my brother as I am a gay man with a 'new thought' religion, both of which he says will send me to Hell. We communicate, mostly by email on birthdays and Christmas, but did get along well more than 10 years ago when our father passed and the estate was settled. I sent my nieces gifts on their birthdays and Christmas until they turned 18 and stopped thanking me. I've seen one niece in person in the last 20 years. Two of the nieces send Christmas wishes at times. I was invited to the wedding of a grandniece I've never met, probably at the urging of my sister-in-law, who would like to see my brother and I closer. My husband was not included in the invitation. I declined the invitation, stating we had booked a cruise at the time of the wedding. I will send a card. Of course, I lied about the cruise. Should I have attended as a way to get back into the family? They are my only living family save three cousins, two of which are fundamental Christians. I feel much closer to my husband's family who are welcoming and available. How do I handle another invitation? – Estranged Guest Dear Guest: Wedding invites are sometimes olive branches, but at other times they're simply social gestures that can take on outsized influence. While the invitation you received was kind, accepting it or future invites that feel more obligatory rather than genuine, may not serve you as well as reaching out to your family in a way that is safe for you. Let's talk about this practically: would you really have enjoyed this wedding, knowing few people and feeling that your husband had been excluded? I suspect you wouldn't have, which would have made it hard to have reconnecting conversations with your brother. Weddings are also not ideal times for those kinds of conversations. A card is the right move here. But if you want to be closer to your family, first figure out what your boundaries are (ideally in conversation with your husband), and then reach out.
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Harry Styles spotted greeting Pope Leo at The Vatican sending fans into meltdown
The 31-year-old singer was seen among the crowd in Rome's St Peter's Square, awaiting the announcement of the new pope, Leo XIV Harry Styles has been seen mingling with the masses in Vatican City during the announcement of Pope Leo XIV as the new pontiff, following the death of Pope Francis. As white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel signalling the conclave's decision, thousands of people filled St Peter's Square to witness the first appearance of the newly elected Pope. Amongst the large crowds of people was the One Direction star, who was captured on camera in a disguise, wearing sunglasses and a baseball hat embroidered with the words "Techno is My Boyfriend". The photograph of the As It Was singer was shared by the pop culture X account @popcrave, the Mirror reports. Fans were quick to take to social media to discuss the sighting, with many making jokes referring to his last album being released three years ago. One wrote: "He'll do anything except get in the studio", and another penned: "Doing everything but recording." While one X user, stated: "He's so unhinged, I cannot love him enough but darling I need new music please." Another jokingly added: "Harry Styles is so random, one day he's at the Grammys winning album of the year, then he's running a marathon in Japan, but he could also be in Rome waiting for the announcement of the new pope, I love being his fan." Harry has spoken about his views on religion over the years. In a 2010 tweet, he shared that he had been christened but was "not really that religious." Later, during a 2016 interview with Chelsea Handler, the Sign of the Times singer described himself as "more spiritual than religious." He elaborated: "I'm not super tied-in to certain rules but I think it's naïve to say nothing exists and there's nothing above us or more powerful than us. I think that's a little narrow-minded." Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, has made history as the first American to be elected pontiff. The 69-year-old, who hails from Chicago, addressed the cheering crowd from the balcony, saying: "Peace be with all of you. Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected. I would like to offer a greeting of peace to reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you." His predecessor, Pope Francis, passed away at the age of 88 on April 21st, Easter Monday. His final public appearance took place the day before, on Easter Sunday. Speaking about the late pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV told the crowd in Rome: "We still hear in our ears the weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis who blessed us. United and hand in hand with God, let us advance together." After the announcement that the first American Pope had been elected, President Trump extended his congratulations on his social media platform, Truth Social. He said: "Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!"
