I’m a 20-year-old girl. I was particularly close to a guy among our college friends and on one occasion we were intimate. I knew it was wrong. A week later, he stopped talking to me. I learnt my lesson and moved on. I did not tell anyone and ignore him nowadays. Suddenly he has messaged that should I dare speak to anyone about what has gone between us, he’ll ruin me. My reputation is at risk. How should I deal with him?
Name and address withheld
Just ignore him. This is an empty threat and you can always deny anything happened since men are the ones who are the real braggarts. If a man tells you he has slept with a woman you can safely assume all he did was say hello. So you needn’t worry. Normally the women are going about telling men not to talk about intimate moments: I am glad we are now becoming gender neutral even in this area.
I’m a 22-year-old man working in an MNC and also studying for my Masters. I am in love with my ex girlfriend’s friend. But she has told me that we can only be friends. I cannot accept it. She’s always on my mind and I can’t focus on either my work, or my studies. Help.
Name and address withheld
Listen son, this is a silly question and I have many important things to worry about. Look, this is me being compassionate hence am even bothering to answer this. Ignore the woman: You are 22 and for God’s sake there is no dearth of women. So why the hell don’t you look at fresher pastures. Why do you always have to be a prized dolt? And I worry for the MNC you work for.
A friend has a modelling agency. One of the models fell in love with him. My friend is married and managed to convince her that he couldn’t do anything about it. Then the girl met her ex, who proposed to her but she refused. So he beat her up. Now she wants my friend to divorce his wife and marry her. What should he do?
Name and address withheld
This is even more complicated than Brexit. Look, I really don’t give a toss about what is happening in yours or your friend’s miserable lives. I had to read your question thrice and it still doesn’t make sense. Are you a card carrying member of the Aam Aadmi Party?
Now you can join the fan page Suhel Seth’s Survival Strategies Column on Facebook and also tweet your comments/ questions to him (@suhelseth) on Twitter
If you have questions for Mr Seth, write to: graphiti@abpmail.com
HELP AT HAND
AL-ANON
For families and friends of alcoholics
(www.india.al-anon.alateen.org)
Ph : 84207-38682
Email: alanonkolkata@gmail.com
(2pm to 6pm, Mondays-Saturdays)
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
For free help on alcoholism
10A Nandan Road, Calcutta 700025
Ph: 2419-1174, 98310-63021
Email: aakolkata_ig03@rediffmail.com
(2pm to 6pm, Mondays-Saturdays)
HELPAGE INDIA
For the elderly for social, legal, economical, financial counselling and also access to government schemes
and policies
Free helpline: 1-800-345-1253
KORNASH
For lifestyle management counselling
139B Rash Behari Avenue, Calcutta 700025
Ph: 98301-49919
(Noon to 8pm, by appointment only)
LIFELINE FOUNDATION
Free helpline for the depressed or suicidal
Ph: 2463-7401 / 7432
(10am to 6pm, Mondays-Saturdays)
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
Self-help group for recovering addicts
(www.nakolkata.org)
Kolkata area helpline: 98362-23071
Email: info@nakolkata.org
PRONAM
Senior citizen’s emergency co-ordination control room
38/1 Beltala Road, Calcutta 700019
Ph: 2419-0740
SPARSHA
Free tele-counselling and one-on-one counselling on personal relationships and HIV/ AIDS
AE-36 Rabindra Pally, P.O.: Prafulla Kanan, Calcutta 700101
Ph: 2591-0334 / 3852 / 6529 / 9856
(10am to 6pm, Mondays-Fridays)





