Short Answers

By Jeff Johnson and Paula Forman

 

SILVER AND GOLD

Dear Short Answers:
As I get older, I feel like I shouldn’t have to be friends with annoying, stupid people any more. But then I think that I’m probably getting too old to make new friends and I should be nice to the ones I have (even if I don’t like them very much). Which alternative do you think is the right one?
GFD

Dear GFD:
Old Friends — those you have kept for decades, can never be replaced. There just isn’t time. So discard with care. AND we are always in favor of making new ones.

 

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING

Dear Short Answers:
How much time should a husband and wife have to spend together? Other than sleeping and going to work, my wife expects me to spend every minute of every day with her. I love her, but it’s driving me crazy.
Too Much

Dear Too:
You need to talk to her about this. First you need to reassure her that giving one another space is not about getting away from each other, it is about providing the opportunity to refresh and grow and that your expectation is that some separation will likely bring greater excitement and depth to your relationship.

 

MY OWN (AIR) SPACE

Dear Short Answers:
When you sit next to a complete stranger on an airplane (or anywhere for that matter) and they start telling you all their problems — some of which are pretty serious and sad — how to get them to stop without being rude?
Jean

Dear Jean:
Feel free to to interrupt the saga, and tell your seatmate that you are sorry for their troubles but you can’t help and need some space.

 

ONCE MORE FOR GOOD MEASURE

Dear Short Answers:
I’ve had many bouts with skin cancer over the years and fortunately I’ve caught everything in time. Last week, I noticed that a co-worker has developed a nasty mole on the side of his neck that looks very much like cancer to me. I mentioned it to him and he waved it off. I even gave him the name of my dermatologist but I doubt that he made an appointment. Do I keep saying something? Or have I done all that I can do? I know what denial looks like and I worry about him.
Not a Dermatologist

Dear Not:
You get to say it one more time … after that, you’re a crank.

 

DROP THE GUN, TAKE THE CANNOLI’S

Dear Short Answers:
I’ve been dating a girl for about 6 months and we both really like each other (I think). The problem is that my friends think she is much too pretty for me and that she is just pretending to like me as a joke and that one day she will dump me and laugh. I don’t want to believe that this might be true but how do I find out for sure? If this is just a joke to her, then how can I ever trust a girl again. Should I dump her first?
Nervous

Dear N:
We think you should dump your friends, keep the girl.

 

UNIVERSAL TRUTH

Dear Short Answers:
How is marriage like a business?
Keeping Track

Dear Track:
Keep your budget balanced — don’t let withdrawals get ahead of deposits.

 

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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