DEAR ABBY: I recently began dating a man who is kind, intelligent and fun. The only drawback I can see is that he keeps his fingernails long. I feel superficial confessing that something so seemingly petty is off-putting, but it is.
Is it OK to make a request of a man regarding his physical appearance? If so, how do I broach the conversation? And if not, what can I do so it won't bother me? -- PUT OFF IN DELAWARE
DEAR PUT OFF: Could this man be a guitarist and need the nails for strumming? If not, I don't think it would be rude to casually ask him why he keeps his fingernails long. You might also suggest that the next time you go for a manicure he come along, and then suggest to him that men often get them and offer to treat him to one. If he has never experienced this, it might be a life-changing revelation. (That's what I'd do.)