Short Answers

By Jeff Johnson and Paula Forman

 

WOMEN AND THEIR CLOTHES

Dear Short Answers: A friend of mine gave me a dress approximately six years ago. We were trading clothes like a lot of females do. She gave me a dress that she no longer wanted. I later turned that dress in to a cute “Tinkerbelle” Halloween costume. Now, two years later, she asked me if I still had the dress. And I told her no, I gave it away. She told me that it was proper etiquette to first inform her before giving it away because it was an expensive dress. I was under the impression that when you give something away, you no longer have the need for it anymore. Am I wrong in not asking her if she wanted it back? Girl Friend

Dear GF: Women have rather extraordinary relationships with their clothes. There are books on the subject. We would have asked permission before turning it into a costume! And taken that opportunity to clarify the fine points of “give” versus “lend.”

 

KIDS AND DOGS

Dear Short Answers: Do you think that getting a dog is good training for young children and will help them learn responsibility? Mom

Dear Mom: Only if they really want the dog and YOU provide thoughtful and firm guidance throughout the process. Otherwise, you are looking at mom’s new best friend.

 

EXTRA SPICY ALL THE TIME?

Dear Short Answers: My boyfriend likes to have sex anywhere except the bedroom. He says it’s more exciting and it turns him on to have sex in the kitchen or the bathroom. He thinks it’s even better if it’s kind of public like the laundry room in our apartment building. I tried to get him to have sex at least once in a while in bed but he says he can’t sleep in the same place he “makes whoopee” (although he said this in a much more vulgar way that’s probably not printable in a newspaper). It doesn’t really bother me but it kinda does. Do you think this is just the tip of the iceberg of his weirdness? Worried

Dear Worried: We are worried too. Most couples enjoy a bit of variety or a “surprise” from time-to-time but it seems like he is pursuing danger and exposure. And more importantly, it sounds like this does not turn you on. Time for a no-nonsense talk — in private.

 

ASK HER

Dear Short Answers: How do you deal with people who are crabby all the time (specifically my wife). She is never happy about anything and nothing is ever good enough for her. Do I ignore her and pretend she’s not talking? Or is there a secret way to make her (finally) happy? Unhappy, Too

Dear Too: Tell her YOUR problem. Living with someone who “is never happy about anything” sounds like torture to us. Ask her if she can tell you specifically what you can do to help. She may not know, or you may not be able to give her what she needs, but at least you will know where you stand and can make your own decisions about the future.

 

IT DOESN’T BEGIN WITH THE MIRROR

Dear Short Answers: Am I pretty? Not Too Sure

Dear Not Sure: We have a hunch you are very pretty. Convince yourself and you will convince the world.

 

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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