I am a 24-year-old man. My speech disorder has made me the butt of jokes at my workplace. I have suffered throughout my school life, having been bullied by classmates. But to see grown men behave this way is shocking. I don’t know how to deal with this problem. Please help.

Name and address withheld

Those who mock you are the biggest dolts so go on the basis of that premise. And when people do ever tell you that you stutter, tell them at least you have a voice which is far better than their impotent minds and what emerges from them. Remember this is a cruel world: if you can ignore them, you must and if you can’t, then give it back to them in double measure. That is the way of today’s world. If all else fails, you could join the Trinamool and unleash their calm cadres on these folks.

I am a 50-year-old widower. A few weeks ago my daughter introduced me to one of her seniors in her university. Ever since I have not been able to stop thinking about her. I feel very guilty but I have fallen in love with her. Also she often calls to ask how I am, making it more difficult to keep her out of my mind. I am not a bad human being, just helpless. Please help.

Name and address withheld

Helpless? Not at all. You are either in love or in lust so don’t try and earn the sympathy vote from me. I seriously believe you should first tell your daughter and then tell this girl. If you think your daughter will throw a hellish fit, then forget her and just tell this particular girl that you have deep feelings for her (and then to spin it) mention that these feelings have been formed only because she has been too kind in asking about your well-being. That way you will have a great exit strategy too....

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