Tag Archives: Advice

“Jaw With John” – You Got Shafted

In an attempt to beautify her neighborhood, a popular blogger asked her followers for money to repaint a community fence.

Anyone who donated $400 would be entitled to an hour’s “face time” with the blogger on Skype.

Being lonely and in need of someone to talk to, I took her up on the offer. I made the donation, and we set a day and time for our chat, but she stood me up and subsequently ignored me.

After several weeks, I sent her several strongly worded (yet civil) emails in which I expressed my mounting displeasure. Apparently unhappy with being taken to task, she announced that she had no intention of Skyping with me.

She never expressed any remorse or responsibility, never asked if there was anything she could do to make up for it — and never offered to refund the money.

My question is, would it be wrong to ask for my $400 back? It was a straight-up quid pro quo agreement. I upheld my end but she failed to uphold hers.

I want to do the right thing but I don’t like getting shafted either. I’d really appreciate your input. — Mr. Conflicted

Dear Conflicted:

This is a classic ladyboy switcheroo. Where you went to pay for a “fun time” with a woman only to find that it’s actually a ladyboy. You know, man parts below, lady parts on top…In any case, you went in expecting one thing and in turn got something you didn’t want.

For $400 you could’ve, LITERALLY, paid an actual escort to spend time with you (and not have anything sexual happen). Instead, you’re $400 in the hole and the person you gave it to screwed you over and won’t make amends. Which totally sucks. She needs to give you your money back!

You said you’re so lonely so why don’t you do something about it and get out there and make some friends? Maybe that’s why this person didn’t want to Skype with you in the first place. Loners aren’t exactly the people other people want to be around. Work on your people skills. Meetup.com is a great place to start and meet people with similar interests.

 

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“Jaw With John” – Notice I No Longer Say Liberry Or Tomorrie

When I was in school, libraries were places where people went to read and study in a quiet environment. Librarians quickly squelched noisemakers with a “shush” and stern gaze.

I have recently begun frequenting local city and university libraries, as I am researching various issues related to starting a company. However, the noise level at these libraries, without exception, makes it virtually impossible for me to concentrate.

I’m sitting at a local branch of a city library. Children are running around talking loudly, and their parents respond in kind.

Staff members speak at a normal volume, making no effort to set an example for patrons. Other patrons answer cellphones at a normal volume. Not 10 feet from me, two people are talking loudly while using a public computer.

I recently went to a multistory library at a local university. Two floors were designated “Quiet Zones.” The entire library should be a quiet zone!

Whenever I ask people to please be quiet, they react like I am crazy to expect quiet in a library.

Am I crazy? — Frazzled

Dear Frazzled:

You’re crazy.

As recently as 10 years ago, when I entered college, libraries were changing. WiFi was growing exponentially, books were being replaced by digital copies, and the places that housed those books were replaced by computers. You can’t go to a library these days without there being a cafe or coffee shop built right into it. It’s evolving with the times, unlike you.

Your old school library is dead and if it’s not dead then it’s dying. They’ve become common areas where people can come and share ideas, talk and possibly learn something new. You can either accept it and go to those designated quiet areas or stay home where no one will bother you. But honestly, who hangs out at the public library?

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“Jaw With John” – Delivery Guy Needs To Be Returned To Sender

There is a particular truck driver who delivers to our place of business. He has always been flirty to all the girls, especially with me, even though he has a girlfriend.

He said he would help me find a job as a driver, so he took me out with him on the truck so I could see if I would like it. He said he’d speak with his girlfriend to see if he could give me a refresher course. (I would pay him for this.)

Just before the course started, he told his girlfriend that I just broke up with my loser boyfriend. After that he said he would only help me professionally and that the only woman he is interested in is his girlfriend.

I know I read more into his flirting than I should have, but when someone is that friendly, you don’t know what to think.

Doesn’t he know I broke up with my boyfriend because of him? What should I do now — should I keep chasing him, in the hopes that he will leave her for me? — Undelivered

Dear Undelivered:

You knew he had a girlfriend. You knew he was being flirty and not serious. You knew he flirted with other girls in your office. You knew, you knew, you knew. What did you expect would happen?

You broke up with your boyfriend for a delivery guy? A delivery guy? That’s not a slight toward delivery guys because I was (partially) a delivery guy. Part of the job is to be nice and friendly with everyone, although, not everyone succeeds. You do realize that he does that to every business he visits. What makes you so special?

He’s not going to leave his girlfriend but you need to leave his hip and find someone who is ACTUALLY AVAILABLE!

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“Jaw With John” – Littering And Littering And Littering And His New Girlfriend

Last year my adult son and his girlfriend lived with us for several months. This girl and I became fast friends. When they broke up, it broke both our hearts. We have stayed friends but don’t really communicate much.

Since then, my son has met a wonderful girl and they have their own place. She is smart, sweet and kind, and I love her, but whenever I think of her and my son, I always think “son and ex-girlfriend’s name.” I have to focus before I speak to her, or about her, and I’m terribly afraid the other girl’s name is going to spill out of my mouth.

Do you have any suggestions how I can get this other girl’s name out of my head? — Tripping Over My Tongue

Dear Tripping:

What do you mean “Do you have any suggestions”? How can you not see what to do?

Just practice saying the new girl’s name, along with your sons, over and over again. Duh. Take a cue from the Super Troopers clip below and say the pair together.

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“Jaw With John” – Can’t Toke Up Around You

I am in a predicament. I have a good new friend who is having a birthday party he very much wants me to attend. The problem is that he has informed me that the party will be “alcohol and 420 friendly.”

I don’t have issues with the alcohol, and I live in Washington state, where recreational marijuana is legal, so that is not the issue either.

My problem is that I have PTSD caused by an abusive stepfather who was a marijuana addict.

The very smell of pot smoke sends me into flashbacks and gives me jitters.

Should I attend this party and do my best to hold it together? If not, how can I tell my friend why I am not coming, without him feeling I am judging him? — Nervous in Washington

Dear Nervous:

I can’t stand the smell of pot smoke either. It used to not bother me, when I would smoke, but after I stopped I realized that I just didn’t like the smell at all. It would be nauseating at times. That’s why edibles are the way to go.

They come in more than just brownies nowadays. You can find them in lollipops, Rice Krispie treats, cookies, chocolate etc. etc. etc. If those don’t bring out the same symptoms as the smoke then bring up the fact that you can’t be around pot smoke and see if the party can change. If not, then you might need professional help.

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