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I am a 49-year-old man with two daughters. My wife has a job that pays really well. However, I don’t make as much money as she does. My wife’s sister also happens to live with us. The problem is that, the two of them constantly taunt me for my poor earnings. Unable to take the insults, I have stayed away from home for months at a time — it was the only way to keep my sanity — but I came back for my children. Help. All this is getting too much for me.
Name and address withheld
Help? What is there to help? Look let’s get to terms with the reality son. The tragedy is you are a poor miserable sod when it comes to any meaningful comparison with your wife and the fact that she wears the pants is only because she has the heavier wallet. You have very little choice in the matter. It is clear that her sister has taken your place so your wife doesn’t even care if you are missing from home. My suggestion is, meet your kids in some park or some silly mall to avoid any kind of emotional assault on your fragile ego and it would help if you got yourself a job and a life (in that order) rather than writing to me and expecting me to be all so sympathetic.
I am a 15-year-old girl. A week ago I went on a date with my boyfriend and we kissed each other. But as luck would have it, my neighbour spotted us and told my parents about the incident. My parents haven’t spoken to me since then. I am very upset and have no clue what to do. Did I make a huge mistake? Please help me.
Name and address withheld
Mistake? You are 15, darling. Not eight. And you guys only kissed. Look your parents will forget this with the passage of time so you needn’t bother. All parents believe their daughters will remain virgins until they get married but this hardly happens in such exciting times. I am glad you kissed: at least we now know you are straight. Just go for it. Keep at it. This is life. And as for your parents, let them sulk for a while and it will all be fine. My only question is, why don’t you play a life-threatening prank on that sneaky neighbour of yours. That would be sweet revenge!
HELP AT HAND
Alcoholics anonymous
10A, Nandan Road, Near Ganja Park, Calcutta - 25,
Ph: 2419 1174
For free help on alcoholism
E-mail: akolkata_ig03@rediffmail.com
(2 pm to 6 pm, Mondays through Saturdays)
Al-Anon (for families and friends of alcoholics)
Ph : 8420738682
(2 pm to 6 pm, Mondays through Saturdays)
www.india.al-anon.alateen.org
Narcotics anonymous (Kolkata area helpline)
Ph: 9836223071; www.nakolkata.org
Email: info@nakolkata.org
Self-help group of recovering addicts
HelpAge India
1800-345-1253
Free helpline for the elderly for social, legal, economical, financial counselling and also access to government schemes and policies
Lifeline Foundation
Ph: 2463 7401/ 2463 7432
Free helpline for the depressed or suicidal (10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturdays)
Sparsha
AE-36, Rabindra Pally,
PO: Prafulla Kanan, Calcutta - 01
Ph: 2591 0334, 2591 3852, 6529, 9856Free tele-counselling and one-on-one counselling on personal relationships and HIV/ AIDS (10 am to 6 pm, Mondays through Fridays)
Pronam
38/1, Beltala Road, Calcutta - 19
Senior Citizen’s Emergency
Co-ordination Control Room
Ph: 2419 0740
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Suhel Seth has an unconventional take on personal problems — and their solutions