Ask Emma

Question: My boyfriend has this habit of taking his friend along when we go out with my girlfriends, and even when we are invited to other people’s houses. He says that the guy is his only friend and he feels responsible for him. Last time we were at one of my girlfriends’ birthday party, his friend sat in a corner all night, talking on his cell phone. What kind of a friend would do that, and why should I tolerate him and his rude behavior?
Answer: Whether the friend in question is being painfully shy around new people, or simply bored in the company of your girlfriends, you don’t have to tolerate his rude behavior. Your boyfriend’s feelings for his friend are obviously going a little beyond a conventional friendship. It’s too bad that your boyfriend feels responsible for entertaining his antisocial friend when he is out with you and your girlfriends. You probably should talk it through with him as soon as possible. It might be, there is more to their friendship than meets the eye. In that case, save yourself any future trouble and leave those two alone.