[simpleton]

March 8, 1999
New ones Monday through Friday

Return of the Answer Man



Maybe you've been busy with work, family and life. Maybe you feel you don't have time to stop and smell the roses, let alone wake up and smell the coffee. Whatever the reason, none of you have asked simpleton for advice, as we invited you to in our first advice column.

Therefore, I've had to go outside for submissions. All the letters below come from the new web site Web of Secrets. Web of Secrets is a bulletin board that allows people to spill their inner thoughts for no-one to see. But after you read a few of these letters, you'll agree that all these folks are in dire need of the kind of sensitive but practical advice only simpleton can deliver. All letters are actual posts from Web of Secrets. All responses are my own best efforts to provide professional advice.






[wake up and smell the coffee]

My best friend got divorce about 3 years ago. Her husband one day told her that he wasn't in love with her anymore. My best friend and i alwasy talked about this and she always called me for her to escape from her anger. Being her best friend i was always thier for her. The secret is that i was the reason why her husband divorced her. I didn't have the heart to tell her. Her ex-husband and i were lovers. I was never in loved with him. When he told me that he was getting a divorce, it came to me as a shock. I did not want this to end up the way it did. I AM SORRY, BEST FRIEND.


Sincerely
Best Friend

Dear "Friend,"

I'd doubt your "best friend" would be in a hurry to forgive you, first for betraying her, then for lying about it. I cannot imagine how people get their jollies from this kind of deception, but both you and your husband had better get straightened out before someone throws a net over you.


Am I Gay?

I been dying to tell someone but I can't. I am a 24-year-old male that always loves women. But I have kept a secret for a long time. I was hanging out with a friend one day, and we decide to find out what it was to be with each other. We started to kiss then we touch it other. We kind of enjoyed it so we continued to test out thing. My friend wanted me to do him from the back, so we tried it. Then he did it to me. It was only one time that I did this. I have never told anybody what I did, so I question myself if I am gay, even though I still go out with women.

Sincerely
Dazed and Confused Male

Dear Dazed: Not all men who have one encounter with another man are gay. But since you and your friend seem to have enjoyed the experience, I'd say this was more than just a one-time thing. Sounds like you could use my handbook, Am I Gay? Meanwhile, please go to the public library to read up on the subject, and get counseling from a psychologist or at your local support group for gays. The more you know, the less you will fear your own desires.


Undercover

This is great! I never thought that I would have the chance to say what I am about to say. I just graduated high school and started college. During the summer a came out and told everyone that I was gay. This secret is that I moved away for college and I started college as a woman. Since day one I have dressed like a woman, walked like a woman, done things as a woman, and presented myself as a women. Not one person thinks that I am a guy. I have become more sociable in the past month and the challenge has become harder. I have gone out on dates with other guys that have no clue of what going on. I have gone to parties on and out of campus. I have also slept over another girl's house, knowing that she does even now that I am really a guy. My features are so good that no one has a clue. I have black hair (wig), I have breast implants ($7,000), and I wax every other week. I do have to say that I do get a lot of compliments from guys. Well see you around cuz you won't see me.

Sincerely
The Diva

Dear Diva: Not all transvestites are gay, but many are. Some merely get their thrills from dressing up in women's clothing, but that's as far as it goes. Sounds like you enjoy your cross-dressing, so good for you! But that doesn't give you the right to play with others' emotions by keeping your true identity a secret. Please go to a support group for cross-dressers in your town.



[abby]

Dying to go back

The other day I went out with a group of friends to have a good time. My friends and I are all single. In the group there was 8 guys and 4 girls. After hoping around from place to place we decided to go to an all-female strip club. The idea came from the guys but the girls agreed just to go along and experience it. The girls, including myself, wanted to know what these place looked like and what goes on in side one of these clubs. Knowing that we were with male friends and it was going to be fun, we agreed. We all sat down in a table that was across from the stage. The lights were dimmed and the music was loud. Everyone in the club look likes if they were hiding from someone. Everyone was sitting in a dark area in the clubs like if they didn't want anyone to know that they were there. We all order drinks because it was mandatory. We joke around, requested some song and even order something to drink. I felt strange eating and drink while some beautiful, perfect body; blonde hair woman was dancing naked in front of me. It amazing what these women do on stage. As time went by guys start to call girls over to the table for personal lab dances. I was sitting next to my male friend when he requested a girl to give a personal lab dance. This girl came and started to talk to him. She also started to talk to me too. He finally paid her and she started to dance. At first it wasn't a big deal but when she started to take off her cloth is when I started to get interested. She was beautiful and she can move. While she was on my friend, her leg was rubbing against my leg and I was getting turn on. I made it seem that it was all a joke and continued to talk and joke with my other friends. The night was coming to an end and I have to say that the only things that was on my mind, while I was driving home, was these girls in the club. I told my friend that I would never go back to one of those places but I am dying to go back. I am not a lesbian nor do I like women but it felt great being in this clubs watching these women do their thing.

Sincerely
XXXXXX

Dear XXXXXX: Not all women who get their thrills from watching other women are lesbians, although many are. Before going back to the club, stop by your local mental health clinic or gay community service agency. They can put you in touch with a support group that may help. Meanwhile, level with your friend about your new feelings.


Show Me The Money

I have been married for 10 years and I have kept this secret along. When I first met my wife I was one wild, young, and crazy guy. I quickly notice that her family was extremely wealthy. 6 month after I asked her to marry me. All I saw was dollar signs. 10 years have pass and I have more money then I ever thought of but I am not happy. I have decided that to stay with my wife due to the fact that if I leave her I would have nothing. No job, no money, no house, no car, and not even friends. So maybe it was the wrong choice ten years ago. Maybe if I didn't get married for the money I wouldn't be in this mess. I guess I'll keep telling her that I love her.

Sincerely
Not so happy wealthy husband

Dear husband: When you can stop feeling sorry for yourself a moment, you might think about your poor wife, who I'm sure married you thinking you loved her and not just her money. You'd better accept the fact that you will never be happy in this marriage as long as you think of yourself as a gigolo rather than a husband. Failing that, be as gracious as possible. You're trapped.


One Night Stand

Well, I'm an 18 year-old girl, and I just recently lost my virginity, I never knew sex could be so good. I had it with my boyfriend of 6 months, but lately he hasn't been satisfying me enough. I love him a lot so it's not like I want to break up with him, so instead I've started to have one night stands that I know he could never find out about I feel a little guilty, but it's just that I can't go without having sex, and he can't please me like I need, so I guess I will continue this way until he can or I get caught.

Sincerely
Nympho

Dear Nympho: You need to come clean with your boyfriend about his failure to make you happy. Cheating isn't fair to either of you, and could put you both at risk even if you're practicing safe sex.

Dear Readers: If you're looking for something for that speical person, you might want to consider giving one of the best books of the year. It's "The Greatest Generation" by Tom Brokaw. Publisher: Random House. Price: $24.95. (In Canada, $34.95). I couldn't put it down.

Girlfriend's Best Friend

I was in my dorm talking to my girl friend on line when her best friend instant messaged me. we started having cyber sex while i was talking to my girlfriend.... the next weekend, her best friend came down and we got it on in every way imaginable.... her best friend has a boyfriend also... before anything happened, she was talking about how her boyfriend doesn't satisfy her and that he is too boring. Anyway, i have been with my girlfriend for a really long time, and she is the only person i want to spend my life with, but i am really i am still at the age where i want to have fun... i am lost

Sincerely
Cyber Cheater

Dear Cheater: Thanks, but I prefer not to imagine all the ways you "got it on." Sounds like you should have read my handbook Protecting yourself and your family from internet porn. This deception is hurting your girlfriend, and could come back to haunt you and the double-crossing "best friend" as well.

[tim's wisdom]

Head of the Class

I just graduated from law school. I do have to admit that it was tuff. It was so hard that I had to do what I did to get through it. I was having a bad semester and I needed to find the way to get through it. I arrange a meeting with my professor to discuss with him my status in the class. After being in his office for about an hour I basically asked him what I need to do to pass the class. He was laughing when he said this but he told me to sleep with him. I laughed but I told to pick a place and time. We laugh and giggled for about the next few minutes, but it came down to this agreement. I don't know if he has done this in the past but I need to pass my class. I met him in a hotel room two week before the semester and completed the agreement. I have to admit that the sex was good even though he was 32 years older then I. I think he was on viagra. Well I gave him what he wanted and I got my A+. This secret stays with me forever.

Sincerely
The Lawyer

Dear Lawyer: You and this nutty professor make a pretty sorry team. You may have laughed and giggled, but academic fraud is a serious matter, and teacher/student hanky panky is forbidden at most universities. Although you call yourself "The Lawyer," I suggest you get yourself an attorney. Both you and your classroom Don Juan could be in big trouble over this matter.


Who Am I?

When I was in college, I decided to take a course in another country. I choose to study Spanish and Spanish culture in Spain. While I was there I notice that the American women were dying to meet and go out with these Spanish men. It wasn't the way they did things that turn them on but their way of thinking and their way of talking. It wasn't until a couple of years after that I started to change myself. After being single for 38 years I decided to make myself Spanish. I started to speak Spanish, even with an accent, cook Spanish food and even started to dress a little bit toward the European look. Since this change I haven't stop going on dates. Women love it. They actually think that I was born in Spain. They love the way I cook for them. It feels like they are melting when I talk to them. My life has changed completely, not only my dating life but also my way of living.

Love
The Spanish Lover

Dear Spanish Lover: Not all men who act Spanish are gay, though many are. Contact your local Spanish community center and ask them to put you in touch with a support group for Spanish-acting men. There's no reason to be afraid of your Spanish desires. Good luck!

Note to our readers: I really do want to be an advice columnist. Please send your questions and problems to answerman@simpleton.com. We can help.



Get the answers from simpleton


Previously in simpleton:



March 4, 1999: Scared quotes
The complete awfulness of the Bafflermission statement
March 3, 1999: Reader Mail
Volume 29: Writing in the toilet, Germans on booze, Pratt on Abby,
a poem, a TV commercial, and several classic simpletons.
March 1, 1999: Prezzy beat
An Australian care package
February 25, 1999: Tough Questions
Your advice requested
February 24, 1999: Reader Mail
Volume 28: Booze, Rye and George Washington
February 23, 1999: Answer man
Our first-ever advice column
February 19-22, 1999: Absolut simpleton
Rolled in the cold





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