BOYS DON’T LIKE ME

Dear Willie D:

I’m a 17-year-old girl who will be a high-school senior next year. Everybody tells me I’m cute, except boys. They don’t even look at me. I have other friends who are always going on dates with boys, and they talk about kissing and having sex. I can’t even talk about talking to a boy because they won’t talk to me.

I hang with a popular group of girls, and I think I’m at least as cute as two of them. So why did they have homecoming dates and I didn’t? What am I doing wrong?

Cute Girl Out:

You’re not necessarily doing anything wrong. Relationships are about finding that someone who you find attractive with similar interests. I didn’t get my first real girlfriend until I was 18. But I was a thug and a bad dresser, so maybe that wasn’t a good example.

Anyway, if you look plain, try dressing up a bit. Guys need an opening, so if you are busy all the time, try slowing down a little when you walk into a room and look around. Some girls display tunnel vision and focus only on what they’re doing. Sit by yourself at lunch sometimes, and try to maintain a welcoming facial expression.

Flirt a little, and be more talkative. Your friendly demeanor might draw a few undesirables. But you can’t have a good time at the party if you’re unwilling to stand in line to get into the party, or risk having some drunk spill a drink on your new outfit.

MY GIRLFRIEND NEVER POSTS PICTURES OF ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Dear Willie D:

So I met this girl in Memphis and she moved to Houston to be with me. She was homeless for about six months before I let her move in. She also had her little brother, who is ten years old, with her; I also let him stay with me.

Well, after she got a job and got on her feet, she started becoming distant. She started leaving her brother with me and coming home late at night. She never posts pictures of me on her social media, and now I see where she’s changed her Facebook status to “It’s Complicated.” I’m 12 years older than her. She’s 22 and I’m 34. What is she trying to tell me?

Photo Bummed:

She’s trying to tell you to drop her brother off at her job with her belongings and change your locks, because she’s an ungrateful, conniving user who doesn’t deserve your kindness and generosity.

LIBERALS VS. CONSERVATIVES: WHO IS RIGHT?

Dear Willie D:

What are Americans who are divided by the left and right gaining by opposing one another at every turn? The left believes in abortion; the right is pro-life. The left supports wealth redistribution; the right thinks it should be every man for himself. The left wants gun restrictions, the right wants more gun rights.

I swear it’s like refereeing a quarrel between preschoolers. I used to hate politicians. Now I hate the people who vote for them. How can we beat China when we are so preoccupied with beating each other?

Left, Right:

Yeah, we love to box on each other. But as far as competition is concerned, the U.S. is still the world’s top economy, and if things ever got gangster between the two countries, China's history of counterfeiting other people’s intellectual property tells me their bombs are likely knockoffs that would disintegrate in mid-air.

HELP ME END A BAD RELATIONSHIP WITH MY CO-WORKER

Dear Willie D:

For the past few weeks, I’ve been dating my co-worker, but I see it’s not going to work. I need a break from him. I see him at work all day, and then I see him at my house all night. He has become possessive to the point where he thinks it’s a competition for me to do what he asks me to do for him and what my boss, who is my employer, asks me to do on the job.

Other male co-workers can’t even look at me without him proclaiming, “You know that’s my girl?” How do I remove him from my life without jeopardizing my job?

Gimme a Break:

It sounds like dude is a little cuckoo. Express to him on the phone or in a public place that you are ending the relationship. Sometimes possessive guys become abusive when you break up with them, so be sure to let your friends and family members know what’s going on so they can assist you in being safe.

If he doesn’t go away quietly after you’ve made it clear that you don’t want to be with him, and he values his job, maybe you could have your boss or someone in HR speak with him. Be sure to cut off all communications: no phone calls, no texting, no social media, no home visits and no hanging out. If you need to take more drastic measures, you may have to contact the police to secure a restraining order.

Never let anyone control you. Even if it costs you your job, get rid of him now. It will only get worse.

Ask Willie D anything at willied.com/ask-willie-d, and come back next Thursday for more of his best answers.