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Mary Killen

Mary Killen

The Spectator

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Dear Mary / Do I have to read the romantic novel my neighbour has based on me?

Dear Mary / Do I have to read the romantic novel my neighbour has based on me?
11.09.2025 4

The Spectator

Mary Killen

Dear Mary / Dear Mary: how can I tell young people to pipe down at dinner parties?

07.05.2025 5

The Spectator

Mary Killen

Dear Mary / Dear Mary: how can I tell young people to pipe down at dinner parties?

07.05.2025 4

The Spectator

Mary Killen

Dear Mary / How do I tell my friend that hot food needs hot plates?

27.02.2025 20

The Spectator

Mary Killen

Dear Mary / Dear Mary: should I tell people I’m WFB (Working from Barbados)?

15.01.2025 10

The Spectator

Mary Killen

Notes on... / The unwritten rules of visitors books

Two things come to mind when I think about visitors books. The first is the memory of leaving the home of a low-profile and secretive single man...

08.01.2025 3

The Spectator

Mary Killen

Notes on... / The unwritten rules of visitors books

Two things come to mind when I think about visitors books. The first is the memory of leaving the home of a low-profile and secretive single man...

08.01.2025 8

The Spectator

Mary Killen

Dear Mary / Dear Mary: Can I regift an unwanted tin of sweets?

Q. A kind villager gave us a jolly circular tin of sweets for Christmas. We are both overweight and would normally have no compunction in simply...

06.01.2025 3

The Spectator

Mary Killen

Notes on... / The unwritten rules of visitors books

Two things come to mind when I think about visitors books. The first is the memory of leaving the home of a low-profile and secretive single man...

03.01.2025 10

The Spectator

Mary Killen

Dear Mary: How do I avoid my friend’s gropey partner?

Q. I have a dear friend who is in a newish relationship. The partner – whom I hardly know – recently visited my city, asked to stay, and groped me...

05.12.2024 4

The Spectator

Mary Killen

Dear Mary / Dear Mary: How can I avoid a lunge on a date?

Q. I have been working in London as a receptionist in a private members’ club and consequently have had the opportunity to meet and chat to a...

24.11.2024 5

The Spectator

Mary Killen

Dear Mary / How do I get the treadmill hogs to move?

Q. I made a number of friends with other mothers when my sons were at school, and we have carried on meeting up for regular lunches. I can’t afford...

12.09.2024 2

The Spectator

Mary Killen

Dear Mary / Dear Mary: How do I avoid my neighbours on holiday?

Q. We have some neighbours who we don’t mind at all – they are perfectly nice, just not part of our friendship group. We have heard they are...

01.09.2024 3

The Spectator

Mary Killen