Dear Amy: I work in a small office (there are only six of us), and we have a very open, familylike atmosphere.
Recently, a co-worker began making YouTube videos of her dog doing silly things.
She enjoys showing the videos at work, which (while distracting) seemed like a pretty harmless waste of time. However, a few days ago she began showing some inappropriate videos of her pet going potty, among other foul doggie behavior.
I have tried telling her to please not show those videos, but everyone tells me I'm just being a spoil sport and to just ignore it if I don't like it.
My boss even suggested I "go for a walk" if it bothered me that much.
As I said, the office is small (a large open loft space with just a bathroom and our boss's office as the only private areas).
What can I do when my co-worker refuses to stop playing those horrid videos, especially with everyone supporting her? - Tube'd Out
Dear Tube'd Out: Your colleague's behavior is disrespectful, not only to you but to her dog. This colleague's exploits are escalating and very soon she could cross a line, which should prompt a call to your local Humane Society (humanesociety.org).
You have made your own views known (good for you). Without support from the boss (and in an environment too small for an HR department), you cannot control this tasteless co-worker. You should take your boss's suggestion and exit from this activity.
Dear Amy: I'm responding to your answer to "Caring Colleague," the person wanting to know how to respond to a friend's announcement of his sibling's new child with Down syndrome.
I felt your answer was well-meant but wrong. As a parent of a 7-year-old with Down, I received both wonderful and horrid responses to the news of my child's diagnosis. The correct answer is "Congratulations!" Period.
At the birth of a typically chromosomed child, one does not temper their joy at the thought of the work involved, the possibilities of difficult times (think drug abuse, teen drama, car accidents, school trouble, etc.) ahead. That comes with being a parent.
There is simply no need to acknowledge the road ahead as tougher than anyone else's road. It is more work; it is more worry. But the benefits of having a child with Down totally level the playing field here. The birth of this child is a joyful thing. End of story. - Proud Mom
Dear Proud: Perfect. Thank you very much.
Send questions via email to Amy Dickinson at
askamy@tribune.com or by mail to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.
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Dear Amy: My stepdaughter is in her late 30s and is getting married next year.
Dear Amy: I'm 17 years old and have a twin brother. Recently my parents went out of town, and my brother wanted to throw a party.
