I am fresh out of university and have only recently joined a school as a junior teacher. I have studied in a convent all my life and have no idea about life in a co-ed school. I am finding it very difficult to tackle the boys who surprise me everyday by their utter disregard for the teachers, something that I know for a fact doesn’t happen in girls’ schools. They even try to flirt with me since I seem closer to them in age. How must I tackle them?

Name and address withheld

Just give them one tight slap and encourage them to draw cartoons of chief ministers and then watch them being frog-marched to prison. That is the only way to handle these rogues. Even we had some very hot teachers but we were very well behaved and never ever flirted with them. In fact, I even had a crush on my art teacher and I hope she is reading this column this morning. And one last thing: stop trying to play victim and take charge, be forceful and firm. Simple.

I am a 30-year-old married man. My friend and I kissed each other in a moment of drunken carelessness and on her insistence we got involved physically. From the very next day she has severed all ties with me and threatens to let my wife know about our escapade if try to contact her. I don’t know what to do?

Name and address withheld

Nothing. Do nothing. It was a mistake and when it happened you both enjoyed it. Just let her be and hope that you can get drunk very soon with another woman, who is hopefully neither your wife nor someone who knows her. Look son, there are many women out there who love these one-night stands and then don’t ever want to see the man again. That is fair. It is their prerogative and you must respect that.        

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; 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 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)