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Dear Annie: I go to the same nail salon every few weeks, and lately I’ve noticed something that is driving me crazy. Almost every time I’m there, someone is talking loudly on their cellphone, watching videos without headphones or having a FaceTime conversation while the rest of us are trying to relax.
At my last appointment, the woman next to me spent nearly the entire hour on speakerphone discussing everything from her marriage to her daughter’s problems at school. The nail technicians seemed uncomfortable, but no one said anything. I didn’t want to be rude or too confrontational, but I left feeling very annoyed and not relaxed.
Am I old-fashioned for thinking a nail salon should have some basic cellphone etiquette? Is it ever appropriate for another customer to politely ask someone to lower their voice or use headphones, or should that always be left to the salon staff? -- Craving a Little Quiet
Dear Craving: Yes, it is perfectly appropriate to ask someone to lower their voice or use headphones. Just be kind about how you say it. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
A nail salon is supposed to be relaxing. Everyone there is a paying customer. No one person’s phone call should disturb the whole room. A little courtesy and respect for other people’s space can go a long way.
Dear Annie: My 15-year-old daughter seems to live on Snapchat. From the moment she gets home from school until she goes to bed, her phone is never far from her hand. She is constantly snapping friends, checking messages and worrying about her streaks. Even when we are having dinner or watching a movie as a family, I can tell she is thinking about what is happening on her phone.
She is a good kid, gets good grades and has never given me a major reason not to trust her. Still, I worry about how much time she spends on Snapchat, who she is talking to and whether she feels pressure to send pictures or share things she may later regret. When I bring it up, she tells me that “everyone” her age uses Snapchat this way and that I don’t understand how teenagers communicate anymore.
I don’t want to become the mother who constantly snoops through her phone or bans an app just because it makes me nervous. At the same time, I feel like I would be failing her if I ignored something that could potentially be harmful. How do I set reasonable limits and keep her safe without destroying the trust between us? -- Snapping Under Pressure
Dear Snapping: The most important thing is to talk openly with your daughter. Express your concerns and explain why you think it’s a good idea to put some limits on her time on the app. In the meantime, setting reasonable screen-time limits can help her become more aware of just how much time she is spending on Snapchat. The goal isn’t to punish her, but to teach her how to use social media in a healthy and balanced way.
“Out of Bounds: Estrangement, Boundaries and the Search for Forgiveness” is out now! Annie Lane’s third anthology is for anyone who has lived with anger, estrangement or the deep ache of being wronged -- because forgiveness isn’t for them. It’s for you. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Follow Annie Lane on Instagram at @dearannieofficial. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM