Are these letters real or made-up?
Abby, I think they are real, albeit edited, but genuine. He thinks they're fake.
DEAR ABBY: After breakfast on Saturdays, my husband and I settle in, listen to music and read the newspaper. It's our Saturday morning ritual.
As part of it, when I get to your column, I read it out loud to my husband. We enjoy the letters and your advice.
When I finish, my husband almost invariably says, "You know, those letters are made up."
Abby, I think they are real, albeit edited, but genuine. He thinks they're fake.
Who's right?
- True Believer in Michigan
DEAR TRUE BELIEVER: You are.
I could never make up anything as interesting as the mail that arrives from my readers day after day.
DEAR ABBY: A tall, attractive man came into the insurance office where I work to buy an auto-insurance policy. I haven't talked with men outside of my church in a long time, so I was nervous. I thought my heart would explode from beating so fast.
He will be coming back in a couple of weeks, and I'm afraid if I don't ask him out, I will regret it. I don't know how to approach him or ask a guy out at all. Help!
- Nervous Out West
DEAR NERVOUS: The man may be married, so take it slow. If he comes in before noon, casually mention there's a restaurant not far away that serves good food and offer to show him. If he comes in later, use the old "want to grab a cup of coffee?" gambit.
Either of these will give you a chance to talk with him and find out more about him without being overly obvious.