DEAR ABBY: "Interested in Illinois" is unable to accept a man's reason, that she is "too young," for not wanting to see her again. She's only one of millions who fail to realize that a member of the opposite sex who gives a weak reason for not continuing a relationship is often being kind -- sparing the feelings with a white lie instead of the brutal truth. The rejected party should move on. -- ROBERT H. BICKMEYER, TROY, MICH.
DEAR ROBERT: I'm printing your letter because that's a good rule of thumb to follow in the dating world. You aren't the only reader who responded to "Interested's" letter. Read on:
DEAR ABBY: I am a first-time writer, but a longtime reader. "Interested in Illinois" got my pen hand shaking and my 52-year-old wheels turning.
She said "Jim" was in the process of getting a divorce, and he told her she was "too young." That young lady should butt out! Jim has enough problems without her adding her pheromones.
Abby, please give her my address and phone number. I've been looking for "Miss Right" since my third divorce, in 1986. -- FREEZING IN BEMIDJI, MINN.
DEAR FREEZING: You're right and you're wrong. I agree that Jim has enough problems without the young woman's pheromones addling his thinking. However, you're wrong about the purpose of my column. I make it a practice never to makes matches unless I know both parties very well and can vouch for the fact that they are what they're representing themselves to be. Sorry.