Wise Uncle Fred. Do advice columns still exist? We had Dear Abby for so many years that I believe there have been about 5 “Abbys.”
Leave a one star review— controversial advice. I wrestle with this. Do I want to be THAT complainy person or truly warn people about the horrible gal at the pet groomers?
Three Abbys? I can think of three agony columns still going in Britain, and I think there are more. I didn't understand the pet groomers bit I'm afraid 😒
Dunno what's going on here. I responded ages ago , or maybe that was to a Note. Yes it was, so ignore everything I've written so far. Thanks very much!
Whenever someone asks ‘Do you know who I am?’, it’s always a concern, especially when they’re in a hospital waiting room! An obvious sign of concussion. (Grin.) Another clever take.
LOL. I agree, Beth. Comedian Frank Carson: I visited a nursing home last week. I said to one of the residents, 'Do you know who I am?' He said 'No, but if you ask Matron she'll tell you' 🤣
Good humor, Terry. We don't have Uncle Fred. For years we had Ann Landers, Dear Abby, Miss Manners, and Dear Prudence. I know there have been some advice-slinging men, but I can't remember a one of them.
Loved the perspectives here, and how by just embellishing or omitting certain details, the stories change significantly!
Thanks, Elizabeth. There's an agony uncle column here called Dear Richard, I think. I have no idea what his qualifications are apart from being a TV celebrity. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Madeley near the bottom, paragraph starting November 2018. I agree about the changing versions due to leaving out or exaggerating details. In fact, I half thought of calling this "alternative facts" 🤣
In North America, we have similar columns in our papers. Probably the two most famous ones were Dear Ann and Dear Abby (both now deceased). A man writing such a column is the focus of Nathanael West's novel "Miss Lonelyhearts".
Thanks, David. I had a feeling that the US might have such columns. I haven’t read that story, so that is another one for the toppling TBR list. sigh. Thanks!
Gosh, that review, Drew! I wonder what on earth the person was thinking?
Years ago I won my category in a magazine competition for a piece of jewellery I'd made. The next edition included a multi-page article featuring pictures of the winning pieces across all categories alongside effusive praise for each piece from the judges. In my case the words were limited to just two: 'Nicely constructed.' 🤣
I sometimes wonder if the amount of praise is inversely related to the quality. I mean, if two words say alk that need to be said, why say more? As it happens, "nicely constructed" is what people say about me on the rare occasions I visit the gym.
One star reviews are the pits, especially if unaccompanied by any explanatory text. Yes, I remember Marje Proops and Claire Rainer, sadly for the same reason as you. My sister used to buy teen girls magazines, and their problem pages were a good laugh: Should I let my boyfriend kiss me on our first date? That sort of thiing. I now wish I’d written in with the converse: How can I get a girl to kiss me on our first date. Such a missed opportunity!
Wildly incentive again, Terry!
I especially liked the response about being grateful of getting to read a book in hospital!!
Thanks, Nathan! Glad you enjoyed it, and that bit especially. I always try to look ion the bright side!
Wise Uncle Fred. Do advice columns still exist? We had Dear Abby for so many years that I believe there have been about 5 “Abbys.”
Leave a one star review— controversial advice. I wrestle with this. Do I want to be THAT complainy person or truly warn people about the horrible gal at the pet groomers?
Three Abbys? I can think of three agony columns still going in Britain, and I think there are more. I didn't understand the pet groomers bit I'm afraid 😒
Terry, this is so clever - loved every letter and its response - what an excellent vehicle for this treatment!
Pic is HILARIOUS. 🤣
Hang on, that's a self-portrait. Thanks a bunch.
😉
Nice One Terry, as inspirational as ever, your Uncle Fred reminds me of my nephew, Biz M'Rees. We send our Regards !!
Dunno what's going on here. I responded ages ago , or maybe that was to a Note. Yes it was, so ignore everything I've written so far. Thanks very much!
Now you remind me of my other nephew, Bob, to whom the family usually relate to as “Our Discom”….
Cheers, mate. 😂
Your uncle Fred is not so bad. I even enjoyed his utilitarian wisdom. Bravo, uncle Fred!
Even though what he says changes according to who he's answering? 😂
That is why I called him "utilitarian."
I thought so. 😅
Uncle Fred is a keeper: lots of common sense, very calm. Perhaps he should hold a very high up political office in (insert country name here).
Hahaha. With his constant Contradictions he'd be ideal. 🤣
😂
This was a vacation in reading for me. Thoroughly enjoyable.I bet you enjoyed writing.
Thanks very much, Jill. That's very kind of you. Yes I did. Glad it showed! 😃
Whenever someone asks ‘Do you know who I am?’, it’s always a concern, especially when they’re in a hospital waiting room! An obvious sign of concussion. (Grin.) Another clever take.
LOL. I agree, Beth. Comedian Frank Carson: I visited a nursing home last week. I said to one of the residents, 'Do you know who I am?' He said 'No, but if you ask Matron she'll tell you' 🤣
Good humor, Terry. We don't have Uncle Fred. For years we had Ann Landers, Dear Abby, Miss Manners, and Dear Prudence. I know there have been some advice-slinging men, but I can't remember a one of them.
Loved the perspectives here, and how by just embellishing or omitting certain details, the stories change significantly!
Thanks, Elizabeth. There's an agony uncle column here called Dear Richard, I think. I have no idea what his qualifications are apart from being a TV celebrity. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Madeley near the bottom, paragraph starting November 2018. I agree about the changing versions due to leaving out or exaggerating details. In fact, I half thought of calling this "alternative facts" 🤣
Yes, it's the last feature in the Saturday Telegraph's magazine section. I usually head there first!
Good grief. But what are his qualifications for that?
Dunno. ‘Man of the world’? 🤔
I love Uncle Fred! I really need an Uncle Fred in my life. I have a small room and bath in my house for rent. I wonder if....
🤣 I'll ask him!
🤣
In North America, we have similar columns in our papers. Probably the two most famous ones were Dear Ann and Dear Abby (both now deceased). A man writing such a column is the focus of Nathanael West's novel "Miss Lonelyhearts".
Thanks, David. I had a feeling that the US might have such columns. I haven’t read that story, so that is another one for the toppling TBR list. sigh. Thanks!
Gosh, that review, Drew! I wonder what on earth the person was thinking?
Years ago I won my category in a magazine competition for a piece of jewellery I'd made. The next edition included a multi-page article featuring pictures of the winning pieces across all categories alongside effusive praise for each piece from the judges. In my case the words were limited to just two: 'Nicely constructed.' 🤣
I sometimes wonder if the amount of praise is inversely related to the quality. I mean, if two words say alk that need to be said, why say more? As it happens, "nicely constructed" is what people say about me on the rare occasions I visit the gym.
🤣
😂
😁
I think they call it ‘damned by faint praise’! 🤣
Very true!
One star reviews are the pits, especially if unaccompanied by any explanatory text. Yes, I remember Marje Proops and Claire Rainer, sadly for the same reason as you. My sister used to buy teen girls magazines, and their problem pages were a good laugh: Should I let my boyfriend kiss me on our first date? That sort of thiing. I now wish I’d written in with the converse: How can I get a girl to kiss me on our first date. Such a missed opportunity!