I don't think looking evil sounds so bad, it's sorta hot.

But anyway, there are ways to look friendly and not tired, without smiling. Watch your posture... standing up really straight makes a lot of difference, you won't look tired, you'll look determined. Raise your eyebrows a little. Keep your mouth closed. Tilt your face up. And if that doesn't do anything, it's okay to smile a little bit... if you've ever been on stage or looked at pictures, you'll know that people have to REALLY feel like they're smiling and try hard to have people notice that they're actually smiling, it's never as noticable as you think it is.

my senior year the school was doing renovations on one wing of the building. we stole the porta-potty from the construction site and suspended it above the cafeteria with a chain. it was fabulous.

whatever you do, please don't be cruel to animals. people let birds or squirrels loose in schools and that's really mean, the animals will be more freaked out than the people and it's very possible that they'll be injured or killed. it's just not nice.

what works for me is setting a timer. don't be too ambitious, set it for 10-15 minutes, and then force yourself to work for that time.

You'll have to explain more about what's religiously nutty about them for me to give you a good answer. I mean, to me they don't sound religious, they just sound like assholes.

You'll probably be nervous no matter what you do... if you really start feeling yourself freeze up, straighten! Stores have to be neat and organized with everything folded and stacked all the time.

if you're not too nervous, do the best you can to help customers. Greet everyone you see, and ask what you can help them find today (not just, "can I help you?" that gives them the opportunity to say "no".)

The most important thing is that you're always working, not leaning on a counter or talking to your friends. I've worked several retail jobs and trust me, they're hard to screw up.

Well, this might sound bad but they really might not be hiring right now. It's late June. Students lined up for summer positions a month ago.

You can keep trying but if you want a job now you might have to lower your standards and go with fast food or something, hate to say it.

Also, make sure you're dressed nicely when you pick up AND drop off the application, and smile a lot, all that stuff.

Two months? I'd say you gave him plenty of time. If he's not even calling you, I'm afraid he's not interested. Sorry to say it but it's true. Call it quits and move on to the next one (they really are like busses... one comes by every 15 minutes).

Oh trust me, I've had LOTS of people hate me for being honest! In fact, I think I've been in more trouble for honesty over the years than anything else.

In my experience, time is the only thing that heals all wounds, although like you I'd like to be able to talk to someone about my feelings and be done with it all. This especially happens in post break-up situations, when the guy is talking shit on you for no apparent reason and you just want to shake him and say, "I did my best and it didn't work out... why should you hate me for that? You're an asshole! Stop calling me! I hate you now!"

or something like that... I'm sure you get the picture.

The whole "not having a boyfriend" thing will totally go away when the guys around you get the guts to talk to you. I mean, at 15, most boys are pretty chicken about these sorts of things. They're shy, you're shy, you'll all probably get over it but I KNOW they will because that's just how it is.

There are worse things you can be than shy. Most people talk too much and think too little. If everyone in the world had the opposite problem, we'd all be a lot better off.

Are you in high school? If so, you can probably assume that anyone of the opposite sex who doesn't mind holding an entire conversation with you likes you, or is at least game for the "dating" game. That's just how high school is.

As long as you're at the same station in life (ie, both in high school) I think it's fine to date people 20% of your age. So sure, go for it!

I think after a breakup, you need at least 2-3 months of not talking before you can even think about being friends again. if you're worried about caving in, don't talk to him. seriously. stick to your guns.

depends on who you are. if you're a real asshole it'd be bad because you'd be giving all those nice gay people out there a bad name.

I have heard of older kids harassing younger kids, but when I saw it the younger kids usually started it by being punks and trying to pick fights to impress girls. It goes without saying that they lost said fights. So tell your son that most older kids have better things to do than pick on every single 6 year student (it'd take all year just to get to every one!) and if he doesn't do anything stupid he'll be fine.

Say you want the job for experience and education, that's better than saying you're just poor. You might also mention any good things you've heard about the company. Ask the interviewer lots of questions about the job and what you'll be doing and who you'll be working with and how much repetition there is (studies show that when we listen to people talk about themselves, they like us better). Speak loudly and clearly and be confident.

Obviously you need to tell them to do the opposite of what you think they should do, that way what you think should happen is what will get done.

I don't think you should go out with either one, but if you can't handle that at least break up with the one who smokes and drinks.

Seriously I don't know why people ask me these stupid questions. "This guy is all wrong for me... should I keep dating him?" Makes me lose faith in humanity.

Well, I'd invite him over and have them talk to them. Seriously, who's it going to hurt? Ask if he'd want to come hang out at your place, ask mom if you can bring a dinner guest friday night (offering to make dinner for the family is really convincing in these situations, by the way), and see what happens. Seniors really aren't that old, you could be inviting a 40 year old over or something, you know.

It's not as bad as it sounds. Millions of people survive grades 7-12 and live to tell about it, sometimes even with fond memories. Make sure your friends are watching out and being smart, that's one big key to things. A lot of people surround themselves with selfish drama queens because they're pretty, and that's a dumb way to choose your friends. Listen to your logical side. If things don't make sense, seperate yourself from them, think of the future and what matters and what doesn't. And don't worry too much about what people think, kids that are your age can sometimes pick on really stupid stuff that doesn't matter, you can be above all that. Just be tough and independent.

When it comes down to it, the same things matter at age 13 that will matter forever in life. Be nice to people. Don't gossip too much. Take care of yourself and stay healthy. Embrace education, it's always important. The only difference is that when you're an adult, you feel like more people are with you in your goal to do these things, and when you're in middle school you feel like no one is... not your friends or your parents or anybody. That's how we learn to be tough. You'll survive, just the fact that you're scared means you're smarter than a lot of other people.

I think the whole issue sounds overdramatic on both sides. If I were you I'd try to get her alone and ask how she feels about the situation. Be a good listener. Ask how she really feels about the guy, because it might not be what it sounds like, and she'll like you better anyway if she thinks you care. Good conversation starter if nothing else.

And if nothing works, don't worry about it. Just ignore the social crap going on around you and chemistry away, it'll all work out.

I've been in the advice column over five years now so I think I've pretty much heard it all... the love, the hate, the random insanity. I don't take it too seriously, so I'm not always giving the best advice, but my column is fun to read!

I am a 23 year old electrical engineer, a feminist, a Christian. I don't know everything but I can sure pretend to.

Disclaimer: Now that I'm on advicenators I'm getting even more questions every day. It's fast and easy for me to answer them, yes, so at least I'm answering something now, but if your question contains the words "there's this guy that I like..." chances are I won't get around to it. I'm only answering interesting questions that I haven't answered before. Register at the site and ask everyone for advice if you must have an answer, because if people read my column and boring love advice was all they found, they'd never come back.

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