By Jeff Johnson and Paula Forman

Dear Short Answers:
Is it true that a couple will be much happier in life if both of them are equally attractive (or equally unattractive)? I’m concerned that my new boy friend is much too cute for me although it doesn’t seem to bother him at all. I worry about our long-term prospects.

 


Not So Cute

 

 

Dear cute:
We don’t know where you got this idea about “equal attractiveness” but we think it’s nonsense.

 

 

CUT THE CRAP

 

Dear Short Answers:
I was invited to a dinner party at the home of someone I really can’t stand. I know that dinner parties are a lot of work and I feel guilty about accepting. Should I make up an excuse not to go so that somebody else (someone who really LIKES the host) can take my place?

 


Reluctant

 

 

Dear Re:
Go if you wanna go and don’t if you don’t — no guilt or elaborate excuses required. As far is we know, going to a dinner party only requires that you be pleasant and entertaining — not an oath of fealty.

 

 

HANDS OUT

 

 

Dear Short Answers:
In the past week alone, I have received over a dozen invitations from friends to donate money to some lame-brained idea that they’ve put on Kickstarter. One person wants to write a book about Italy (who cares), somebody else wants to make a movie (double who cares?) and another one wants funding for a photography project. For most of these people, they could afford to fund the project on their own but they choose to use other people’s money instead. Isn’t this just a new form of begging? It’s driving me crazy.
Not Feeling It

 

 

 

Dear Not Feeling:
No one is forcing you to contribute. Make a token donation, or skip it entirely, it’s up to you.

 

 

YOU PLAY, YOU PAY

 

Dear Short Answers:
I recently found a website called MyLife.com that gives detailed information about almost everybody — even their ages. I posted this on my Facebook page with a couple of links to specific people I know who are particularly sensitive about their age. I guess I should have predicted they would be furious but I figured that this is public information and they should get over it. Do you think they are justified in being so angry?

 


JP

 

Dear JP:
Social media has  virtue — and vulnerability. We agree with you. Photo’s, personal data including age, and even the occasional quip that turns out to be ‘not so funny’ the next day are more or less public. We think your friends should get over it, or stay off FB, Twitter and other internet communication vehicles. We have heard that many people live happy and successful lives without them.

 

 

‘TIS THE SEASON

 

Dear Short Answers:
I am just not in the mood for Christmas this year. Is it okay for me to just ignore everything — no parties, no presents, no decorations? Or do you think I need to force myself to participate because I’ll be sorry if I don’t?

 


Hummm Bug

 

Dear Hummm:
There is a reason half of us do it all on Christmas Eve

 

 

Life is complicated.  “Short Answers” isn’t.

 

 

Send a question about whatever is bothering you to [email protected] or go to www.shortanswers.net and a psychologist and sociologist will answer.  A selection of the best questions will be printed every week in KonkLife.

 

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