By Marsha Kay Seff

September 19, 2013 (San Diego) -- My mom used to complain how difficult it was to make friends at her retirement home.  Then one day, she stepped into the elevator and said hello to someone she had unsuccessfully been trying to befriend.

“I haven’t seen you in a while,” Mom told her.  “It looks like you’ve put on some weight.”

The woman glared at her and left the elevator without even saying good-bye.

“See what I mean?” Mom said to me.

I suggested, between giggles, that next time, she tell the woman how great she looked.