Family advice: My parents retired and became unrecognizable divas.

Dear Prudence is Slate’s advice column. Submit questions here .

Dear Prudence,

I love my parents, but since they retired three years ago, it is as though their brains have drained out of their ears. I am not talking about their opinions on politics, but just basic common sense.

I saw my parents actually ask grocery workers putting out fresh fried chicken if the birds were from last night, and get offended when told no and that it would be a health department violation. They won’t call and make reservations, and then they will not stop complaining because the restaurant is busy with a long wait time. Anything that requires a coupon or QR code gets ignored because they think they can get the special price without it. I watched my father get in a shouting match with a teenage mana