Dear Jake
You seem to think you've struck out date-wise for good. But look at it this way. You asked out the most sought after girls around and now you feel defeated because they turned you down. They probably just didn't have time for you in their loaded social schedules. It was nothing personal, so don't feel rejected by the whole female sex. There must be a lot of nice, attractive girls around who do have room in their social lives for a new man. Look around. You don't even have to know a girl very well to ask her out. Men have things going for them that way. Any girl whom you have barely spoken to beforehand would be flattered out of her wits if you asked her for a date out of the clear blue sky. It would mean to her that she's been admired from afar. No dame-provided she's not socially swamped-could resist a romantic move like that. Man!

Dear Herman,
I recently met a divine older man. He's 24. I'm 14 but will be 15 in 2 weeks. When he asked me out, I said okay without saying a word about it to my parents. He took me out with style. We went to a fancy restaurant and then a big nightclub. I had a ball! But after wards in his car, he moved fast. How do you feel about the difference in our ages? Do you think I'm playing with fire? I really like Tony and think I could fall in love with him.
What should I do?
Betty K.
Cleveland, Ohio

Dear Betty,
You are playing with fire and I suggest you drop him before you get badly burned! You sound like an attractive girl who has no trouble getting dates. Why not go after a guy who is not so much older than you? Compared to you, Tony's been around, and probably so have most of the girls he dates. Your older man may be dashing, but all that glitters sure ain't gold as you've heard. My advice-be your age-no problem!

Dear Herman,
I just can't figure this chick out. She's a real groovy kid, a neat dresser, a great dancer, all that jazz, which is fine. But she seems to have her eye out for just one thing-marriage. We're just kids-she's sixteen and I'm 19, both high school under

Dear Larry,
You're another kid who's playing with fire! Take it from me, man, even a musician finds he's missed a lot if he hasn't got a college degree. These days, as your Dad can tell you, even a B.A. won't get you far-most of the really hep guys are gunning for an M.A. And a lifetime job you hate isn't exactly fun. Tell this cookie to get lost and find one with a better set of values. In my cooky love code, a chick who really loves 'a guy' wants him to have the kind of life he digs, not the kind she wants. And in my cooky love code, too, the teens are made for fun, not marriage.
This is as good a time is any to sound off on kids growing up too fast. I know it's getting harder and harder for kids to talk to their parents, so when they talk to me I talk to them like a kind of Dutch uncle and I tell them you're only' young once-live a little. As for those guys who get married and try to combine marriage and getting college education, ask some of them how they feel when the other kids are off at a football game and they're carrying a sack of clothes to the Laundromat!

Dear Herman,
Until 2 weeks ago, I was the only child in my family. I'm 13. I've always gotten along great with Mummy and daddy - especially with Daddy. He calls me "princess" and was always bringing home presents for me. Mummy always took me shopping and to museums. And all my parents' adult friends also have been real nice to me, taking me to the movies and the beach. But now all of the sudden no one is paying any attention to me. Oh, I don't mean that they're ignoring me completely. They still talk to me. You see, Mummy just had a baby, a boy. Daddy is in ecstasy and Mummy,who is still in the hospital, talks about nothing but my baby brother. They don't even ask how I'm doing in school or anything anymore. They just say "Hi Sue," and rush on to talk about the new baby. I am very unhappy about this and I am hoping you might be able to tell me what to do.Maybe I should find a new family.
Susanne B.

Dear Susanne,
Years from now you'll look back on this experience and be glad that it happened. Being an only child is both nice and very limiting. Your parents and their friends obviously have doted on you because you're the only child they have or were until 2 weeks ago. And you have become so used to this special treatment that when it's not extended, you feel unwanted, depressed and worthless. But the rest of the world isn't going to give you special attention unless you earn it. And it's time you start learning how. Instead of resenting your new brother, whom you will no doubt grow to love very soon, you might spend much more time with your friends. Interesting that you didn't mention any. Do you have many good friends? If not, concentrate on widening your social circle.