V19 N4

The Answer Lady
Wise answers to perplexing questions
The Answer Lady invites inquiries from
gentle readers on all manner of relationship
quandaries, matters of the
heart and ethics. If you’d like to send
a query, write to info@exitzero.us. Or,
simply sit back, enjoy a cup of coffee and contemplate
the wisdom herein.
Dear Answer Lady
I’m in my mid-40s and decided that I do not
want to be “linked in.” I know I sound old and
inflexible, but I don’t want to be on Facebook.
I own a flip phone that I rarely use. I have tech
skills for work so I can use zoom for meetings
and email to work with my colleagues. I do not
text, message or FaceTime and this has been a
source of irritation with my colleagues but not
my boss. I am tired of apologizing for this conscious
decision and wonder if you have some
magic phrase I can use to shut my critics up?
— Tech Rebel
Dear Rebel
The Answer Lady would remind your
colleagues that you have one responsibility
and that is to do your job to best of your ability
which you seem to be doing. You might also
tell them that your days are far more pleasant
and nights far more comfortable without a
smart phone attached to your derriere 24-7.
Who knows, they might emulate your behavior.
In the meantime, give yourself a break. The
Answer Lady thinks it is time for a trip to Chez
Michel for a tasty French treat.
Dear Answer Lady
I adopted a puppy last winter when COVID
restrictions were first imposed and at the same
time started working from home instead of
going into the office. I went back to the office
March 1 full time. I have been with Mr. Peanut
night and day for nearly a year and I’m worried
he’ll have separation anxiety. What can I do to
alleviate it? I did ask if I could bring Mr. Peanut
to work and my boss laughed, which I took for a
no. — Worried Dog Mom
Dear Worried
Girl, it sounds like you have separation
anxiety. Institute a program where you both
retrain yourselves a la Pavlov — the Russian
psychologist known primarily for his work
with conditioning therapy in dogs, but it works
with people too. Leave the house every day for
one hour, then two and work up to six hours.
Be strong and do something fun. Lunch at
Lucky Bones or shopping on the Washington
Street Mall. On a warmer day, sit outside at
Harbor View Restaurant and look at the boats
whilst enjoying a cocktail. When you get home,
reward Mr. Peanut with a nice walk and oneon-one
time. Breathe. Mr. Peanut will survive.
March 4, 2021 EXIT ZERO Page 15