Divvy driving me dizzy

Dear Gabby,

I love fitness, and I love the environment. I love the concept of Divvy bikes and similar rentable bicycles. Less driving, less pollution, a bit of exercise…win, win for everyone. What I don’t love are randomly parked Divvy bikes in our alley and on the parkway that have been there for months. I even saw a Divvy bike left on the water’s edge at Dempster Street beach. Did this bike enthusiast ride to the beach and then swim across the lake? Are there Divvy boats that one then deposits on the opposite shore only to rent another bike in Michigan? Why can’t people clean up after themselves? Does Divvy worry about its inventory? Is anyone else bothered by this?

Divided on Divvy

Dear Divided,

I salute your support of the environment and your civic zeal! I can’t say exactly what was in the mind of the Divvy cyclist who so rudely and thoughtlessly left their bike by the beach or in your alley, but this is very, very bad form as far as I am concerned. If you are going to take advantage of a publicly used item, be respectful of it and take care of it, people! To give these lazy cyclists the benefit of the doubt, perhaps these users came from states where you can rent a scooter and just literally leave it in the middle of the sidewalk when you are finished. I happen to know someone who almost killed himself tripping over one of those, but I won’t go into that now.

In any case, these forlorn, lonely bikes need to go back to their homes. On the DIvvy website, they suggest, “​If you find an abandoned bike, please return the bike to the nearest station. If this is not possible, If you find an abandoned bike, please contact Divvy customer service, now supported by Lyft, as soon as possible with as much detail as possible about the bike and its location. Thank you!” 

It’s certainly not required of you to return the bike or call Divvy but, why not? Consider it a paying-it-forward good deed. You’ll feel better, you’ll get rid of the bike in the alley and all will be well in the world. 

Now, can you do me a favor and get rid of Trump, please?

Dear Gabby, 

What should I do when I am invited to dinner at my friend’s house, and I know he is a terrible cook. I mean, the food will be almost inedible. This guy should be a contestant on “Worst Cooks in America” – he would win! He has been a very good friend for many years, is very kind and gentle, and would be totally mortified if I confronted him directly. Should I give him cooking lessons for his birthday?

Still hungry

Dear Still hungry,

Not all of us are good in the kitchen! If your friend has been good to you for many years, as you say, he deserves a little slack. Next time he invites you over, why don’t you offer to bring something? That way you know you’ll like at least one dish. Or you can suggest that you go out so that he “doesn’t have to cook.” Alternatively, you can bring wine. A lot of wine. Cooking lessons for his birthday are a lovely idea, if he has any interest in learning how to cook. If not, I would get him a tie for his birthday and next time he invites you for dinner, stop at Gigio’s for a slice on your way home. 

Dear Gabby,

I have some beautiful pottery that I haven’t used in years. Is it wrong to give it as a wedding gift when it won’t have tags and identifying information?

Searching for the perfect gift

Dear Searching,

So, let me just ask you this…..if you think it’s beautiful, why haven’t you used it in years? Unless you know the recipient really, really well and are absolutely sure that the recipients will love it, I personally wouldn’t send it as a gift without a tag or identifying information.

I’m all for recycled and reused gifts – as I think we all are – but I’m not sure you wanna start with a wedding gift. If the couple has a registry, and you choose to get them something that is not on it, they should be able to return it if they’d like (I hate registries but they are very utilitarian, I guess). Otherwise your “beautiful” pottery is likely to sit in a drawer or be regifted or given away, ahem, ahem.

Dear Gabby appears in the RoundTable every Monday. Yes, Gabby is an advice columnist – but not just any advice columnist. Because that would be boring! Gabby combines wisdom with wit. And a pinch of snark. She is not a trained therapist by any means, but has seen and loved many in her day. Her aim is to make you think while she makes you laugh. Gabby welcomes all questions and queries and is only too happy to hear your opinion, no matter how much it may diverge from hers. Write to Gabby at news@evanstonroundtable.com.