DEAR ABBY: I have no problem driving at night, but I prefer to stay home rather than go out. Truth be told, I don’t like to be out after 4 or 5 p.m. Yes, I miss a lot of social activities, but I don’t mind.
The problem is friends and acquaintances who, when they find out I’m not going out at night, instantly offer to pick me up because they are kind and gracious. No matter how many times I explain that it’s not the driving, it’s that I prefer not to be out at night, it falls on deaf ears.
I know I’m lucky to have sweet friends who volunteer to drive me, but I’m tired of explaining myself. Because I don’t want to insult anyone, can you suggest a polite way to turn these folks down? Nothing I’ve said so far has worked, including saying, “It’s not the driving. I don’t go out at night.” — HOMEBODY IN FLORIDA
DEAR HOMEBODY: Perhaps you should state your message a little more emphatically by saying, “I don’t think you UNDERSTAND. It’s not the driving, it’s that I am uncomfortable going out after dark. PLEASE don’t ask me again because my answer isn’t going to change.”
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, California 90069. Copyright 2024, Andrews, McMeel Syndication.