worst advice column

[PennLady]

What's your nominee?

Mine is Steve & Mia at Philly.com.

I don't know why, but I enjoy advice columns, and sometimes find something in there might add a little something to a story. An incident of how people behaved, or just the insight into how people are capable of behaving. I'm sure there are tons, but I tend to read Tell Me About It by Carolyn Hax (Washington Post), Ask Amy (Chicago Tribune), Dear Abby (ucomics.com), and at creators.com, The Advice Goddess (Amy Alkon), ask Annie (written by two women), and Dear Margo.

I'd have to put Advice Goddess as my second-least favorite; I think she's too sarcastic and snarky, although often if you get through that, the advice isn't that bad.

Steve & Mia, though -- it's almost like it's so bad I have to see what's next.

 

[talismania]

I get a kick out of Steve and Mia, too! I wonder if their initials were contrived to make that S&M thing.

Reading some of the questions they get is almost as fun as reading the Love You/Hate You section in the City Paper.

 

[LettersFromTatyana]

I increasingly dislike the majority of advice columns, so I'd probably mark down "all of the above." However, I remember liking Caroline Hax at one point, and I have, on occasion, read the Boston Globe's Love Letters.

I make exceptions for Jeffrey Goldberg's absurd "advice" column on the back page of The Atlantic every month, and Savage Love, which has been a highlight of my week for a long time.

 

[PennLady]

I get a kick out of Steve and Mia, too! I wonder if their initials were contrived to make that S&M thing.

Reading some of the questions they get is almost as fun as reading the Love You/Hate You section in the City Paper.

I have to say, you have a point. The letters they get are kind of mind-boggling. Either the answer is so common sensical you have to wonder if the letter was made up, or it's so far out there you have to wonder if the letter... was made up. I imagine those are the real names, although it certainly is convenient.

Haven't read Love You/Hate You. Perhaps I should.

 

[PennLady]

I increasingly dislike the majority of advice columns, so I'd probably mark down "all of the above." However, I remember liking Caroline Hax at one point, and I have, on occasion, read the Boston Globe's Love Letters.

I make exceptions for Jeffrey Goldberg's absurd "advice" column on the back page of The Atlantic every month, and Savage Love, which has been a highlight of my week for a long time.

Hax is still good, I think. She's broadened her column; it used to be for "under-30" but now it's anybody. And I think she's pretty straightforward and uses common sense, plus I like how she doesn't belittle anyone. She might directly say that hey, you need to look at what you're doing, but she's not sarcastic like Alkon.

I used to read Savage Love, which I have to say is eye-opening many times. I don't read it much now but I'm glad that there's someone out there who will be explicit and not shy away from the graphic answers. Although it can be tough to read over lunch.

 

[oggbashan]

The Ossie Osborne column in The Sunday Times.

He provides health and social advice in response to letters. Since his past health habits and social life are not good examples to anyone, why should anyone take his advice on them?

Perhaps because he survived the excesses of the rock star lifestyle?

While he was alive, would you have taken Elvis' advice on healthy eating?

Or Dylan Thomas' advice on drinking in moderation; Elizabeth Taylor's on maintaining a happy marriage; Buddy Holly's or Glenn Miller's advice on safe flying; or Captain Scott's on how to get back from the South Pole?

 

[PennLady]

The Ossie Osborne column in The Sunday Times.

Oh goodness. Do you think he actually writes it? I mean... surely it's ghost-written... ack.

 

[3113]

I increasingly dislike the majority of advice columns, so I'd probably mark down "all of the above." However, I remember liking Caroline Hax at one point, and I have, on occasion, read the Boston Globe's Love Letters.

I liked Caroline, too. She was hip and savvy. Alas, our paper nixed her for a duller, more sedate columnist. The advice is never surprising and the writing is no fun to read, steady as she goes, yawner stuff.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I think possibly the two worst were Ann Landers and Dear Abby, the terrible twins. In retrospect, their advice screwed up whole generations of girls and women. (mostly) They were more responsible than any other two persons in maintaining the glass ceiling and all the other real and imaginary sexual inequalities women are now complaining about.

Some of their advice was okay, and was actually common sense, but most of it really sucked.

There may be others who give out worse advice, but those two had the widest circulations.

 

[PennLady]

I think possibly the two worst were Ann Landers and Dear Abby, the terrible twins. In retrospect, their advice screwed up whole generations of girls and women. (mostly) They were more responsible than any other two persons in maintaining the glass ceiling and all the other real and imaginary sexual equalities women are now complaining about.

Yes, I have to say I rolled my eyes at much of Ann Landers and Dear Abby, and I still do, at least sometimes, with the new Dear Abby. I think that Dear Margo -- Ann Landers' daughter -- is more down-to-earth and realistic with her advice.

 

[MissTCShore]

When I read the title of the thread, I couldn't help but think of this joke.....


Dear Walter,

I hope you can help me here. The other day, I set off for work leaving my husband in the house watching TV as usual. I hadn't driven more than a mile down the road when the engine conked out and the car shuddered to a halt. I walked back home to get my husband's help.

When I got home I couldn't believe my eyes. He was in our bedroom with the neighbors' daughter. I'm 32, my husband is 34, and the neighbors' daughter is 22. We have been married for ten years.

When I confronted him, he broke down and admitted that they had been having an affair for the past six months. I told him to stop or I'd leave him. To make matters worse, he was asked to leave his job six months ago and he says he has been feeling increasingly depressed and worthless. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. He won't go to counseling and I'm afraid I can't get through to him anymore.

Can you please help?

Sincerely,

Sheila

~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Sheila:

A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it's clear, check the vacuum pipes and hoses on the intake manifold and also check all grounding wires.

If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the injectors. Mainly have your air filters cleaned or replaced.

I hope this helps with your problem.

Walter