V19 N36

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
Four of us couples get together every
Friday night for a potluck supper and to play
cards afterwards. One woman is divorced and
brings whomever she is dating at the time. The
gentlemen are not always a good fit, but we
always seem to make the best of it. Her latest
conquest, however, has a habit of grabbing me
as he leaves and planting a kiss on my lips. He
doesn’t do that with any of the other women
and his behavior varies. I suspect it has to do
with how much he has had to drink. Which is
why I think he always takes me unawares. I
never seem to catch on. What I want to know
is how do I break this bad habit? I don’t want
to make a big deal of it, just a little Pavlovian
behavioral training. — Icky
The Answer Lady
Wise answers to perplexing questions
Dear Icky
Girl, you need to practice the cheek move.
When those lips are coming near you, turn
your cheek to him and he’ll quickly get the
message. Also, when everyone is leaving make
sure you are otherwise occupied with plenty
of people around you acting as linebackers.
Meanwhile, head on over to go Bath Time or
Place on Earth and get yourself some nice
bubble bath products and soak the icky away.
Dear Answer Lady
I met a man at Carney’s whom I like very
much. However, I do not like the fact that when
we are out, he can’t keep that phone alone.
I resent it. He sits across from me checking
sports scores, texting work colleagues,
responding to tweets and Instagram while I
sit staring up at the ceiling. I’m beginning to
wonder if this is why he didn’t have a girlfriend
before I came along. He’s very handsome and
very nice but I have to say this could be a deal
breaker for me. — Ignored
Dear Ignored
Make a deal with him to leave the phone
in the car for the duration of dinner or while
you’re at Carney’s having cocktails. If he
dismisses you, you can, A: Find another man
to talk to while he is otherwise absorbed and
see if he notices. If he doesn’t, well you have
your answer. Or B: Give him an ultimatum
because your instincts are correct. If he is this
detached this early in the relationship, it won’t
get any better. Or as the Answer Lady’s daddy
used to say, “Handsome is as handsome does.”
October 14, 2021 EXIT ZERO Page 47