August 29, 2008

Today's advice-seeker refers to herself as IN A PICKLE IN LAKEWOOD, OHIO. Just as a side note - who cares that she lives in Lakewood, Ohio? Does this have any relevance to the nature of the letter or insight into her pathos? No, it does not. In fact, you will find out that she would be more aptly called CLUELESS or INSENSITIVE. In a Pickle and her friends would like to have a 'Naked Ladies Party'. "It's where all the women come over with all the clothing, accessories, jewelry, etc. they no longer want." They then strip down to their skivvies, try on each other's stuff, then vote on who should get to keep it. Here's the pickle. She would like to invite a good friend/co-worker, but she is significantly larger than everyone else and wouldn't fit into any of their clothes. In a Pickle does not want to embarass her by inviting her. Question: "What should I do?" Dear Abby suggests talking to the friend about the details of the party. She may not be interested in the stripping and clothing, but she might enjoy the accessories and bonding. Let the friend decide.

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On the surface, the Naked Ladies Party sounds like a great female bonding experience and an opportunity to exchange unwanted clothes for new clothes. This is fabulous if:

1. All the participants are young, attractive, and size 2.
2. All the participants enjoy hanging out in their underwear. (A lot of religious women might not enjoy this.)
   
3. All the participants are good sports about the fact that they might not get the outfit they like best, given the "voting" system.

Okay, so if you're Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan, sounds perfect. Otherwise, you have to deal with the fact that some of your friends do not share characteristics 1, 2, and/or 3 above.

Which brings us back to In a Pickle's question, which is how to deal with it. I'm willing to bet that she really doesn't want the fat friend there. She's looking for some sort of rationalization from the country's utmost authority on life (i.e. Dear Abby) to provide her with an easy out. She was hoping the answer would be something like "Your friend would clearly be uncomfortable at a party like this, so why don't you just invite her to some other party, like a tupperware party? It's not necessary to invite every single friend to every single party."

However instead, In a Pickle got the advice she absolutely did not want - to deal F2F with cold-blooded honesty about a party DESIGNED to accentuate Fat Friend's flaws. (Now, I'm using the phrase 'Fat Friend' fast and loose, because I like the alliteration. Also, I hate euphemisms like "Friend with Rubenesque Shape", or "Metabolism-Challenged Friend". )

The idea of the Naked Ladies Party offends me because of its direct affront to the wonderful diversity of women - all shapes, sizes, ages, etc. Even lingerie parties provide sexy lingerie in all sizes. No, the Naked Ladies Party is a thinly veiled opportunity to gossip and gawk at one another's bodies. Try not to tell me that the next day, those Naked Ladies won't be texting each other about who looked pale, skanky, fat, etc. This is what women do.

I also don't buy how it's a great way to get rid of unwanted clothes and get new ones. There are these things called clothing re-sale stores. Same idea. Even better: Good Will, Amvets, or some other worthy charity.

My advice to In a Pickle is to look in the Lakewood, Ohio yellow pages for home lingerie parties that cater to women in all shapes and sizes.

August 27, 2008

REALLY UPSET IN ST. PAUL, MINN is worried about the flirtatious female hairdresser "Barber-Ella" whom her husband Don has been going to for the past 25 years. Although she's never had a reason to mistrust Don (they've been married 35 years), Really Upset admits that life hasn't been a bed of roses. She has rheumatoid arthritis, which causes her pain and saps her energy, and the medication has made her gain weight in her belly and face, making her feel unattractive. On the other hand, Barber-Ella is slim, attractive, and full of energy.

Barber-Ella also seems to have a lot of influence on Don. Recently he told his wife that Barber-Ella has been telling him dirty jokes and using four-letter words in the telling. "Don says, 'She likes to see how red my ears get.'" Although Barber-Ella is married, Really Upset is still suspicious and feels the stylist's behavior is inappropriate. Her question is actually four-fold: "Does this have more to do with my own insecurities than with her? Why does she do this? Should I ask him to change stylists? Should I call her and ask when she'll be adding lap dances to her services?"

Dear Abby's opinion is that it is nothing to worry about. She justifies Barber-Ella's flirting by "She probably flirts with him because she thinks he likes it." Justifying the jokes, she says, "She may tell them because she heard them from other clients, thinks they're funny and is trying to entertain him." Further, she alleviates Really Upset's concern by telling her that if any of this posed a threat to her, her husband would not be telling her about it. Dear Abby's basis for her shrewd analysis of the situation is the fact that nothing has happened for 25 years. "Unless your spouse is getting more haircuts than he needs and his time is unaccounted for, I don't think you have anything to worry about."

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Of course the photo I chose has nothing to do with the real people in the letter. Your first clue is that Don has been going to the same stylist for 25 years, and the stylist in the photo is barely 25. Also, we have no proof that Barber-Ella does hair-cuts in lingerie.

Now on to the Sucky Advice. And this was sucky on so many levels it's hard to choose a starting point. Let's start with whether it's okay for a professional person (and hair stylists are professionals, because they go through training and licensing) to flirt with a client. But first we must present:
DEAR LISA'S FLIRTING CONTINUUM
This continuum of flirting goes on between just about all couples of the opposite sex (or same sex, if they're gay.)
LEVEL 1 - mild - eye contact, wink, a smile that you would not give to your same-sex tire installation person
LEVEL 2 - not so innocent - "accidentally" brushing against the other person, referring to and discussing intimate things, and flirtatious remarks
LEVEL 3 - danger zone - anything surreptitious (extracurricular plans and communications not shared with others), whether it's phone calls, instant messages, chat, and finally, DEFCON 5, the F2F liaison.
So, it appears that Don and Barbar-ella fall somewhere in Level 2. Don is considered a willing participant, because it does not appear that he has said or done anything to discourage Barbar-Ella's inappropriate remarks. (Such as writing a letter to Dear Abby about how to discourage your hairdresser from making inappropriate remarks.) Level 2 is a dangerous level to be at, in spite of the fact that it has been going on for 25 years. In fact, it seems that they have spent most of the 25 years in Level 1 because it is only "recently" that Don has reported the Level 2 behavior. And once you get to Level 2 .... it just takes a few rocket thrusts to get to Level 3. So Really Upset has every reason to be worried and suspicious.

Let's assume for a moment that Dear Abby is right about the fact that the hairdresser is only flirting because she thinks her client likes it. In fact, this is probably the case. I'd be willing to bet that lap dancers also only flirt because they think the client likes it. That doesn't make it okay for the husband to be getting the lap dance. (Unless you have a really open marriage, and you're okay with that. If so, my hat is off to you.)

Dear Abby's biggest gaffe is by claiming that since the husband is reporting all this, there is nothing to worry about. WRONG. The fact that he's reporting it to the extent that it has Really Upset worked up enough to write to Dear Abby means that he's been talking about it ... a lot. Talking about it a lot means he has been thinking about it .... a lot. And thinking about it a lot means he has been liking it ... a lot. So much so, that he has been unable to apply a filter to things he should and should not chat with his wife about.

I think deep down, Really Upset recognizes that the real problem is not so much her husband's infatuation with the hairstylist. He could stop going to the hairstylist entirely and the real problem would persist - Really Upset looks and acts old. If she's been married 35 years, she's at least 55 years old. She has chronic pain, little energy (read: no sex drive), and she's overweight. Instead of focusing how to keep her husband away from the influences of sexy, vibrant women (and they're everywhere!), she should focus on how to improve her own health, appearance, and vitality.


In conclusion, let's go back to the original four questions:
1. Does this have more to do with my own insecurities than with her?
It has to do with both. Your insecurities make him more susceptible to fantasizing about other women.
2. Why does she do this?
She gets a better tip. She feels sorry for him. She thinks he can do better than you.
3. Should I ask him to change stylists?
Yes. Why don't you cut his hair yourself? If he's at least 55, how hard can it be? And then figure out how to make yourself a more desirable spouse.
4. Should I call her and ask when she'll be adding lap dances to her services?
Why, do you want to apply for the job?

August 25, 2008

The husband of BEST FRIEND'S WIFE has had a friend for 40 years named Nick, a man who has had a run of bad luck. Recently Nick brought over to their home his newest girlfriend, a woman named Hattie who stated she was bipolar and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Hattie proceeded to drink 2 1/2 bottles of wine, and then asked for prescription pain medication. Here's the question: "Personally, I don't want that woman at my house again. If Nick calls and wants to bring Hattie around again, how should we say no?"

Dear Abby's reply was "Don't say no. Suggest that the four of you go out for dinner and make it a short evening."

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Okay, since when is it a requirement that one has to socialize with their husband's loser friend and even bigger loser girlfriend? No matter whether she's a loser or not - if Best Friend's Wife does not enjoy the company of Hattie, then why should she waste her time in her presence? Nick is the husband's best friend. Nick and Husband can go out and do whatever things aging male BFF's do - whether it's bowling, sporting events, karaoke. Meanwhile, Best Friend's Wife can go out with one of her own friends or just stay home and read a good book.

This will also prevent bad feelings all around. If she were to force herself to go out and socialize with Nick and Hattie, it's unlikely she would be able to hide her dismay. Her overwhelming lack of enthusiasm would make everyone uncomfortable.

ALTERNATE SUGGESTION

Why not trying bonding with Hattie by learning how to imbibe large quantities of wine, followed by a chaser of various prescription pain-killers?

August 20, 2008

NEEDS HELP UP NORTH wants to know how to deal with a hypochondriac. Her father was recently diagnosed with a form of melanoma which has a low survival rate, yet it is his second wife (of 20 years) who complains incessantly about her own problems, such as chronic allergies and a head cold. The most recent visit from her father and "Doris" was cut short because Doris talked about her head cold the entire time, and then needed to be driven back to the hotel. ("No one else could detect her symptoms.")

Now that Needs Help Up North's father is facing death, she is having trouble supporting Doris's emotional needs because her hypochondria is so irritating.

Dear Abby responds: "You can try talking Doris out of her hypochondria until you're blue in the face, but it will only make her try harder to convince you that she's sick -- so stop trying. Instead, every time you see her, tell her she looks TERRIBLE; you've never seen her look worse. It's what she's "dying" to hear, and she'll love you for it!
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Dear Abby is correct that you'll never be able to convince a hypochondriac that they're not sick. Well ... never say never, but let's say the odds are between slim and none.

However, I would not advocate telling Doris she looks terrible, because you'd be handing her a beautiful segue (or intro) to her favorite conversation topic - her perceived illnesses.

The real problem is Needs Help Up North's inability to steer the conversation away from an undesired topic. Who says she has to sit there and listen to Doris's problems? Work on changing the subject to something in which everyone can participate - the upcoming election, movies and TV, local news, what the grandchildren are up to, etc. I would avoid discussing health and disease as much as possible, unless your father wants to discuss his. Otherwise, you will just end up in a one-upmanship contest with Doris.

Dear Abby did not address what to do when Doris fakes an ailment that cuts the visit short. Needs Help Up North can either grin and bear it - it's not worth it to put her dying father in the middle of something - or have her husband or one of her brothers offer to drive Doris back to the hotel.

You can also turn lemons into lemonade. If Doris is supposedly sick in bed, offer to take Dad out for breakfast the following morning. That will give you some valuable one-on-one time with him.

I am sorry about your father. In the grand scheme of things, Doris's self-centered conversation is the least of your problems AND hers.

August 9, 2008

Today's letter from TRYING HARD IN TENNESSEE concerns his effectiveness as a high school teacher. He begins by describing himself as having a bland personality and speaking in a monotone. He then discusses his inability to control his students, who blatantly ridicule his clothing and voice. Sometimes he feels bullied, and he expresses that the entire class participates and finds him hilarious. The question is, "What can I do to control my students?"

Dear Abby responds by first suggesting he talk to other educators in his school about his inability to enforce discipline. He should also explore whether the school district offers any classes in assertiveness training. "If it doesn't, then please give serious consideration to changing careers, because you are not only shortchanging yourself but also the students you have allowed to turn you into a doormat."
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Of course this engaged my careful scrutiny because I have been teaching since 1985. Observations -

• I think the original letter itself is false. The fact that the writer recognizes it is important to describe himself as bland, and speaking in a monotone, indicates he recognizes the root of the problem is his own blah-ness.
• Why they are writing to Dear Abby for advice about a profession in which she has no experience is idiotic. I would expect a college graduate to have more sense than that. It's like asking the grocery checker for advice about your car engine, knowing they have no experience with car engines. But this is typical of the type of letters Dear Abby gets.
• Abby's response is actually not half bad. She encourages the teacher to seek advice from other educators. Good. Asking her to look into district-sponsored assertiveness training is optimistic but unfortunately unrealistic. I don't know of any districts that offer assertiveness training, because they are too busy offering reading and math training, to save their asses from the repercussions of the No Child Left Behind act. But I digress.
• Her last sentence, "If it [the district] doesn't, then please give serious consideration to changing careers, because you are not only shortchanging yourself but also the students you have allowed to turn you into a doormat." This is extremely hasty. The nation already has a problem retaining new teachers beyond five years, for a myriad of reasons I won't go into now. However, before a teacher decides to throw away their credential training, I recommend they read this book:
  "The First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher" by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong.
  
  
  
  
  I have read a ton of books about education, and this is hands-down the best. It prepares the teacher with hundreds of hands-on suggestions on classroom routine, discipline, etc. I recommend this to all my friends who have gone into teaching, and I review it myself every few years.

Good luck to "Trying Hard in Tennessee" and all frustrated teachers!

Why I Started This Blog

This is not an anti Dear Abby column. I believe that the current "Abby", Jeanne Phillips, answers her readers with the best intentions. However, I don't believe she is fully qualified to answer the full gamut of questions she answers on a daily basis - everything from relationship issues, etiquette, child-raising, interpersonal communications, health and medical issues, employment and career issues, etc.

Her official biography is as follows:
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. It is the most popular and widely syndicated column in the world -- known for its uncommon common sense and youthful perspective.

In other words, she more or less inherited the world's most popular column from her mother. That it is the world's most popular column can not be attributed to her in any way. Even if she were to dispense regular horrible advice (which I assert she does), no one would perceive it that way because her credential is the column itself. Many people also assume that anything in print is true. It is not.

We don't know if Jeanne is college educated, whether she has ever been employed, whether she has any training in psychology or counseling or anything other than being in the right place at the right time. I do not want to claim that I am the MOST qualified to hold her position, but I will say that I believe I am more qualified than her. I have 3 college degrees, have worked at various professions over the years (including teaching and filmmaking), have gone through bad relationships, and have raised two children - one of them disabled. I think I can say that I've been around, but am not so old as to be out of touch.

An interesting assertion in Jeanne's biography is that of "youthful perspective". Let's just say I'm younger than Jeanne Phillips.

You, "dear reader", may also feel more qualified to answer Jeanne's/Abby's letters - either selectively, or all of them. I welcome you to add your own comments to this blog. That's the beauty of internet publication - it's immediately interactive and invites undifferentiated community involvement. Unlike a newspaper column - in which feedback to Abby's advice is published weeks or even months later, at a point when most readers don't remember or care about the original topic.

So let's roll up our sleeves and get started!