Night owl
I enjoying roaming at night. I am already 19 but my parents still call me a kid and don't let me out after 8 o’clock.
Tessie, Panaji
Dear Tessie,
I’ve always wondered this and I have to ask, even though you can’t possibly answer this right away. Pray tell, what in the world does ‘roaming’ mean? To me it conjures up images of you teenagers on bikes just riding around town. Considering you’re in Panaji. You can finish ‘roaming’ the entire area in one night itself. So what do you do when you’re ‘roaming’? Do you let you mind wander? Do you have insightful philosophical talks about life, the universe and everything? Or do you talk about boys and girls, who did what in college, and “did you see the dress that she wore?” Oh and, all parents treat their kids as if they were eight years old, even after they get married. But, if you really want to be treated as an adult, do something adult-like once in a while. Start with defining ‘roaming’.
Antsy Uncle
I'm 21 and my parents still doubt that I smoke although I stopped it long ago. The only conclusion they can come to when I come home late from college is that I've either smoked and drank and come home. How do I prove to them that I don't do that anymore?
P, Canacona
Dear P,
You’re 21 and you stopped it long ago? How long ago is long ago by the way? I’m in my 40s and I stopped smoking long ago, when I was in my mid-thirties. Ask your mother or father to smell your breath. Just make sure you didn’t eat anything too garlicky, or they might just faint from the smell. Perhaps you also need to start talking to your parents, and I don’t mean to ask them what happened in that serial, or who is the better forward “ Rooney or Zlatan. Talk to them about what you do when you go out. Let them know where you will be and also let them know what you are doing to plan your life ahead. All parents have done the same naughty things that you are probably doing so do not try and pull the wool over their eyes. Be honest with them and show them that you are a responsible person. You’ll be amazed at how they will treat you then.
Antsy Uncle
I have a friend circle that is ruined because of me. My parents feel that they are a bad influence on me and have asked me to stay away from them. How do I tell them that they aren't bad without the need to say that I have spoiled it for them by my parent’s thinking that they are bad?
Kareena, Ponda
Dear Kareena
So, what have your friends done to turn them into bad influences in your parents’ eyes? Surely your parents would have mentioned this to you? If not, go ask them. Perhaps you can explain their behaviour or an incident that might have soured the milk? No, stop wondering when you messed up in the kitchen. It’s an expression that means….wait…Google it. I don’t have time to spoon feed everyone, unless you’re my sick wife. Which you’re not, so. A lot of us were told by our parents that they didn’t like a particular person or an entire group. The main reasons for this, are smoking, drinking, drugs, and in some cases, sex. Yes, it happens, don’t pretend it doesn’t. Maturity seems to be the keyword this week. All parents are looking for is a bit of maturity in their kids. That leads to them becoming more responsible. Perhaps if you find out why your folks are so incensed, then perhaps you can work to fix it. Or you can just put your foot down and explain to your parents that these are your friends and even though there were mistakes made you are still going to be friends with them. However, before you do that, just make sure you note their email addresses etc down. You might need them in the event your parents up and leave town. It’s been known to happen.
Antsy Uncle
