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Regular-article-logo Tuesday, 24 June 2025

Survival Strategies

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Suhel Seth Has An Unconventional Take On Personal Problems — And Their Solutions Published 25.11.12, 12:00 AM

I am 16 years old and my boy-friend is a year older. He is my best friend too. Lately, he has been talking to a number of other girls and going out with them. When I try to stop him he calls me insecure and narrow-minded. But why does he need to talk to all these girls when he has a girlfriend he is committed to. He is not a bad boy but his recent ways are bothering me. What must I do?

Name and address withheld

Look child, all men are the same. They never care for the groceries at home but always crave for street-food. That is the nature of the beast and the more you pester him, the more he will be driven away from you; you should just ignore his deeds and watch how he returns, with alacrity and forgiveness. This is why my advice to young women such as you is, always play the field till you get married because a committed relationship is like marriage without the in-laws. Why would you, at 16, commit yourself to some dolt when there is an entire universe awaiting you?

My best friend and my boyfriend are at loggerheads with each other. They can’t stand the sight of each other. And at times I find myself in a very awkward position where I have to chose between the two. It’s not like they have a major issue between them but it’s little things that have made them turn sour towards each other. Please tell me how I can bring about a reconciliation.

Name and address withheld

If the boyfriend is important to you, then dump your best friend though let me warn you, it is better to have a good friend than a boyfriend because boyfriends will come and go. And while we are on the subject, check if your best friend actually aspires to be your lover. In 90 per cent of the cases it is their jealousy and inarticulation that prevents them from baring their souls....

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
(2p.m. to 6p.m. Mondays through Saturdays)

Al-Anon (for families and friends of alcoholics)

Ph : 8420738682
(2p.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays)
www.india.al-anon.alateen.org

Narcotics anonymous (Kolkata area helpline)
Ph: 9836223071;
w ww.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 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturdays)

Sparsha

AE-36, Rabindra Pally, PO: Prafulla Kanan, Calcutta - 01
Ph: 2591 0334, 2591 3852, 6529, 9856
Free tele-counselling and one-on-one counselling on personal relationships and HIV/ AIDS (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays)

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