Problem Page Edition 33 2017

This week – can you love someone but still have affairs and would you date someone with bad teeth? Yes – it’s this week’s problem page.

If you would like any advice, feel free to treat me as your agony aunt. Just message me or pop a comment in the comment box at the end of this post. I promise to be gentle.

Here are this week’s questions.

Q: Is it possible to get an ex-girlfriend back after you were abusive and insecure?

A: Without wishing to downplay your seeking professional help for being ‘mentally and emotionally unhealthy’, and not in the least being flippant, lots of us are you know.

Before you rush to label yourself and berate yourself I think you need to examine whether you have just discovered that your behaviour has consequences.

Sometimes we can get into a pattern of behaviour and pick people who put up with it. In fact we choose them so that they do.

Sometimes, however, we find someone who won’t put up with our BS and calls us out on it.

That doesn’t mean we need counselling necessarily.

Rather than wallow in guilt and self reproach, a more useful starting point would be to see if she will talk so that you can apologise, sincerely, for whatever it was you did.

Be sure, though, that your behaviour was unreasonable.

You don’t need to wait until ‘you turn your life around’ – what does that mean? She could be long gone by then.

Apologise now, apologize sincerely and see if at least there is a basis for a friendship which could be rebuilt into a relationship at some point.

Good luck.

Q: Is it possible for a person to love someone seriously but have multiple affairs with others?

All this analysing of feelings is a bit wishy washy don’t you think? Why are you asking her if she wants a relationship with you if she’s already in a relationship with you?!

I think you need to make yourself more attractive by playing a little more ‘hard to get’.

Rather than worrying about whether she loves you as a friend or is in love with you, make yourself more of a challenge.

Let her wonder how YOU feel for a change.

Focus on yourself for a bit. See your mates. Indulge in a little light flirting.

I think you’re trying way too hard.

Humans are funny. Sometimes if they get steak given to them on a plate, they’ll still go out for a burger.

Time to make yourself a little LESS easy to get.

Think of your current girlfriend as one of a number of options open to you.

Stop asking her all the time how she feels – that’s a real passion killer.

Making yourself less available will crystalize her thoughts nicely on whether she loves you or not.

Q: Has your ex ever come back to you when it has seemed impossible?

Q: Would you date someone with bad teeth?

That’s a really interesting question and the answer, for me, would be no – unless I knew that he intended to get them fixed.

A: It’s not really about the teeth.

It’s the fact that he didn’t care enough about himself to get his teeth fixed.

Now I appreciate dental fees are really expensive so no blame attached there but someone who takes care of their appearance – and values themselves to make taking care of their appearance a priority – is always going to be more attractive than someone who is a bit of a slob.

I do think you have to define ‘bad teeth’ though.

There are so many ‘Hollywood smiles’, so many veneers that are so white you need sunglasses (which I personally don’t find attractive).

Normal teeth come in a variety of shades – from white to yellow – and are rarely perfectly aligned – mine certainly aren’t!

But I clean them regularly and see my dentist at least every 3 months. I am lucky though. Here in the UK we have Denplan (an insurance system) which I am able to afford.

If you have ‘normal’ teeth I don’t see it as an issue.

If you have gaps, blackened teeth, bad breath or any other dental problem then you need to get it sorted – not just to improve your chances of romance but because gum disease can trigger other diseases such as heart disease.

I can’t think of many dental problems that couldn’t be changed. My dad had dentures from a very early age and he’s been married to my mum for over 50 years.

And, lastly, a kind heart and soul always beats nice teeth.

Q: How should you react to someone flirting with your wife or girlfriend even if they know you are together?

A: It depends whether this is a consistent ongoing campaign, or a one off flirtatious gesture at an event like a wedding or party?

If it’s the latter then I’d just say something loudly in front of them like “I’m a lucky guy she’s coming home with me aren’t I”?

If it’s an ongoing flirtation then firstly you need to make sure your wife or girlfriend isn’t encouraging it – in which case your first conversation needs to be with her – or if not I would take them to one side and ask them what they are playing at.

Be sure, if you do that though, that they are openly flirting and you are not over-reacting – in which case you could look like a bit of a prawn.

Either way faint heart ne’er won fair lady.

Speak up and address the behaviour if it’s more than a one off.

Q: Is it OK for a woman to make the first move and propose to a guy she really loves?

A: Do you mean ask them out on a date or ask them to marry you?

Either way it’s OK, although the last one is a bit more of a risk.

I think the events of recent weeks (particularly here in the UK ) have reminded us all that life is bloody short and I’d say take a risk.

Men have to handle rejection so why shouldn’t we?

Better to know where you stand I always think, than to waste precious years on someone who really doesn’t want to be with you.

How would you have responded to these questions? I’d love to know.

Disclaimer: All materials included in this post are intended for informational purposes only. This post/information is not intended to and should not be used to replace medical or psychiatric advice offered by physicians or other health care providers. The author will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages arising therefrom.