Short Answers

By Jeff Johnson and Paula Forman

HOW DO I LOVE THEE?

Dear Short Answers:
Does my boyfriend really love me if he doesn’t really show it? Not in the way I want — like flowers — but he does say “I love you” first before we leave each other.
Girlfriend

Dear GF:
The way people communicate love is highly personal, but if it’s not working for you, tell him. 

LET IT BE

Dear SA:
My boyfriend’s mom loves me dearly and forwards me chain emails. We all know chains suck but she is very narrow-minded and tries to spoon-feed me her Christian ideals and openly raves about the president of the U.S. How can I ask her to remove me from her mailing list while maintaining her adoration for me?
Running for Daughter-in-Law

Dear running:
These things seem to have multiplied exponentially with COVID-19. Tell her thanks very much but your victim list has been exhausted.

STAY HOME/WORK HARD

Dear Short Answers:
If I want a serious career, how hard do I really have to work? I currently work 10 hours every day (from home, of course, and sometimes on the weekend). Everybody does. I used to love the job but this is too much. How long do I have to keep doing this?
TIRED

Dear Tired:
You have to keep doing it, darling. At least until the pandemic is over but for now there isn’t much else to do anyway.

MODERN LOVE

Dear Short Answers:
Hi, I’ve been out of the singles game for the last seven years and now re-entering in these very strange times. First it was the bootie text and now it’s even weirder. What are the rules/guidelines for this? Thanks for any advice here.
Sincerely,
Old School 

Dear Old:
Romance has always been complicated but you used to be able to burn love letters. Just remember with texts and videos everything is potentially public.

CLEAR INTENTIONS

Dear Short Answers:
I have been accepted at grad school with $$$ and now I don’t know if I want to go. Should I just bite the bullet and go?
DK
Dear DK:
If you don’t really want to go, it’s a waste of their money and your time.

TAKE CHARGE

Dear Short Answers:
All my husband and I do is fight. We haven’t had sex in almost two years. At one point, he told me I repulsed him. We have been sheltering in place for nearly a month and not a single kind or comforting word has been exchanged.

Living Hell

Dear Living:
Well, it doesn’t sound good. Make your plans for the future. Either both of you need to re-connect — or get out.

YOUR TIME WILL COME

Dear SA:
I’m 21 and was invited to a wedding via text message. I understand that communicating through texts is standard for my gen now, but I find this a bit senseless. Should I share my thoughts/feelings or keep them to myself?
M-E-Lee Post

Dear M-E-Lee:
Keep them to yourself. It’s not your wedding. Perhaps the text is in keeping with the uncertainty we all feel concerning all future events. 

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]