Short Answers

By Jeff Johnson and Paula Forman

NARCISSUS DID NOT FARE WELL

Dear Short Answers:
My girl friend has become obsessed about the way she looks and I think it might be the end of our relationship. Every day she asks me questions about her hair and her dress and her make-up and honestly, I don’t know and I don’t care. I think my girl friend is gorgeous but I don’t notice when she gets a new haircut or changes the color of her fingernail polish. And if I don’t answer correctly, I’m in trouble. “Do you notice anything different about me?” Well, no – but that’s not the right answer!!!! I think she’s testing me and when I guess, it’s even worse (because I’m always wrong). What is the right answer to that question? Or better yet, how do I make her stop?
Love Her But…

Dear Love Her:
Every woman will tell you she would like to be noticed and appreciated more but this sounds off the chart. Tell her you love her. Tell her what you mean by love — and tell her to buy a big mirror for the other stuff.

TURNING THE PAGE

Dear Short Answers:
I haven’t had a boyfriend in awhile. I have enjoyed the single life, but I have gotten tired of it. The only problem is no one seems interested in me. How can I change that?
Getting Lonely

Dear Lonely:
We have two questions for you: 1) Are you interesting? 2) Are you interested in others? If you can say yes to both, proceed to GO! You won’t have a problem.

IT’S A BRAVE NEW WORLD

Dear Short Answers:
I’ve gotten several birth announcements of late from children of my friends who have had babies. I don’t know the parents — am I obliged to buy a baby gift?
Everyone’s Nana

Dear Nana:
Gift who you love, when you wish to.  No obligation in this situation.

LET IT BE

Dear Short Answers:
I think I’ve lost a friend. We worked together for 20 years and after she left the company, no matter what, we would get together for dinner around our birthdays each year and an occasional get together. Over the last two months, I have reached out four times to set up plans for a birthday dinner and received no response. In my most recent e-mail I did share that I hope I did nothing to offend her and would like to see her. No response. She was not my best friend, but a person whose company I enjoyed and I thought, perhaps mistakenly, that we both accepted what our relationship was. I guess we’re done now and it’s left me sad and feeling like I’m at fault. I need some objectivity here and appreciate your insight. Thanks.
Missing Her

Dear Missing:
This does not sound like it has anything to do with you. Reciprocity is very helpful in the balancing act called friendship. But sometimes friends disappear for reasons that have nothing to do with us, only them. We hope you will hear from her in due time.

HARD WIRED

Dear Short Answers:
Why do girls like flowers so much?
A Guy

Dear Guy:
They just do. Which is why it is never a mistake to surprise your girlfriend, sister, mother, wife, daughter or auntie with an unexpected bouquet.

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.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]