Quick lesson #6

What would you say? (Part one)

and

The letters and the answers by Ann and Abby are very popular with newspaper readers all around the world. So today, we have four letters for you to read.

However, we are not including the columnists’ answers. That gives you a chance to decide how you would answer and to find out what your friends think as well.

Here’s what to do. First, read each letter and think about how you would answer. Then tell a friend about the letter writer’s situation. Ask "What would you say to this person?" Share your own idea too. Discuss each letter, you might want to talk with different friends.

You’ll be able to find out how Ann and Abby did answer, by coming back Monday to check out our feature focus lesson. You’ll find the answers there, and some interesting points to think about as well.

Sweet nothings Dear Ann Landers: I was recently divorced, and having become addicted to chatting on the Internet. I enjoy flirting with the women I meet on-line, and at the moment, I have several such "affairs" in progress. I have warned each and every one of these women that it is just a game being played by a lonely man and not to be taken seriously. Ann, I do not want to hurt anyone. How can I get them to understand I am not serious about pursuing a real-life relationship? I enjoy conversing over the computer screen. I write poetry and love letters because it is fun to write about romance, and I like the anonymity. I have no interest in meeting these women. Please use your column to warn people that not all the love letters they receive are meaningful. For some of us, it is only a game. The Virus in New Mexico sweet nothings words of love addicted unable to control the need for something flirting making sexual remarks and actions anonymity the ability to remain unknown Parents against child owning a dog Dear Abby: I’m only a kid, but I really need your help. I want a dog. A collie. They get along with other animals and don’t need a lot of exercise. The problem is that my parents hate dogs. They say I can have as many dogs as I want when I grow up, but I can’t wait that long. I have $375 (16,700 baht), so I can afford to buy one and pay for its food and shots. Abby, how can I change my parents’ minds? Dog-Deprived in Denver shots medical injections to protect from diseases (After you have read this next letter, what title would you write here?) Dear Ann Landers: My 15-year-old daughter, "Kara", spent a weekend with her grandmother, my mother-in-law. While she was there, Grandma dyed Kara’s hair bright red. Kara thought it was "cool", but I am furious that Grandma would do such a thing without consulting me. Grandma says I'm overreacting and that no harm was done. I say she overstepped her bounds and should have asked my permission. Now I'm reluctant to let Kara stay there again. Grandma is too far out to suit me. Can you tell me what I should have done about this? I'm so angry, I don't trust my own judgement. The New Redhead's Mother furious very angry consult to ask for advice or an opinion overreact to treat a situation as more serious than it is overstep the bounds to make decisions or take actions that you don’t have the right to reluctant unwilling; not wanting to far out not within accepted ways of behaving or thinking (After you have read this next letter, what title would you write here?) Dear Ann Landers: Please help me do the right thing. Last week, two friends came with me to a casino. We entered our names into a drawing, and the winner had to be present in order to claim the money. As luck would have it, I was in another room and didn’t hear my name called, but one of my friends did. He raced through two buildings to find me, yelled over all the noise of the crowd to get my attention, and ran with me to the other room. I didn't realise I had only a few minutes to claim the money. With seconds left, we reached the room, and I won the $5,000.(222,500 baht) prize. Here's the problem. I gave my friend $100 (4,450 baht) for all the trouble he went through to find me, but now everybody is saying I should have given him more. After all, if he didn't race around the casino looking for me, I never would have won. And the next number drawn might have been his. I want to do the right thing, Ann. Is there a specific percentage of the money I should give him? Lucky in Marysville, California

FOLLOW-UP

The sub-editors here at the Bangkok Post write the titles for the letters that appear in our paper. The titles should summarise the situation in the letter. I’ve left the titles off two of the letters. Can you write short summary titles?