Short Answers
By Jeff Johnson and Paula Forman
GROWN-UP DECISION
Dear Short Answers:
My nephew confided to me that his girl friend is pressuring him to get married but that he’s really not sure it’s the right thing to do. His father is not around and he really wanted a male point of view. From the way my nephew talked, marriage seems like a really bad idea for him — and I told him so. Apparently, his mother had already given him this same advice so I wasn’t the first. Now, my nephew, who is 30, wants me to meet his girlfriend and tell him want I think. I do not want to get any more involved but wonder if I should do this? He doesn’t seem to have anyone else to ask.
Uncle
Dear Uncle:
He is old enough to make this decision. Tell him so and bow out.
YOUR HOME IS YOUR CASTLE
Dear Short Answers:
I recently quit drinking and prefer not to have alcohol in my house. Should I buy it just when I have folks over, or warn them ahead of time? Or what?
Newly Sober
Dear Newly:
There is so much pressure to drink in our culture, and it is so available, we think you are under no obligation to serve your guests. And you should not do anything that jeopardizes your sobriety. That is really the only issue that matters.
A CASE FOR RETIREMENT
Dear Short Answers:
I’m worried that my boss at work (who is only about 65 years old I think) is getting a bit senile. He forgets things, repeats himself and has these emotional outbursts that I never saw before. I don’t have the kind of relationship where I can just casually mention this. And we’re a small office so we don’t have a real HR department. I have read that you can’t do anything about Alzheimer’s (if that’s what this is) anyway so I’m not sure what good it would do to tell anybody. But somehow it seems wrong to keep this to myself.
Peg
Dear Peg:
It’s possible that he is stressed about things outside work … you could ask him. We are wary of making medical diagnoses and you should be too!
WASTING TIME
Dear Short Answers:
I have been casually hanging out with this guy and every time we hang out it’s fun and we both agree we should do it again sometime. But then I won’t hear from him for weeks and when I do, on the rare occasion, contact him, he can’t be bothered to talk to me. But then a few weeks later he will want to hang out. What gives?
Still Waiting
Dear Still:
This guy is a bad bet. He’s not as interested as you are … sorry.
NOT YOUR JOB
Dear Short Answers:
I take out the trash, mow the lawn, feed the dog and leave the toilet seat down and am faithful. What more does she want to make her happy?
Good Hubby
Dear Hubby:
What makes you think her happiness — or lack of it — is about you?
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES
Dear Short Answers:
How do I know if he’s the “one?”
Bride 2 Be
Dear B2B:
If you are asking the question — he probably isn’t.
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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