“Ask Amy” references Austen again
Obviously preened by a congratulatory letter from the president of JASNA, Ask Amy gently nudges another teenager toward reading Jane Austen:
Dear Amy: I used to like person “A” and “A” was well aware of this but didn’t say one thing either way. I was just ignored.
Now “A” has developed the hots for me. I’ve lost interest and would just like to keep “A” as a friend.
He has called several times, comes up to me and holds me (even though I don’t let him, return his calls or show any interest).
I would just like him to formally ask me out so I could say, “No, thank you,” but I don’t want to be harsh about it.
I would really like to figure out what I am going to do before school starts again.
Just Want to be Friends
Dear Just: You aren’t a character in a Jane Austen novel, dear. In this millennium, young ladies are permitted to initiate conversations, especially if they wish to clarify a situation that would otherwise cause continuing embarrassment.
You can say, ” `A’ — I want you to know that I like you but I don’t like like you. I’m not interested in you romantically.”
If “A” says, “I don’t know what you’re talking about — those phone calls and holding episodes don’t mean anything,” then you can say, “Sorry — I was mistaken; I just want to make sure there isn’t any misunderstanding between us.”
Actually, Jane Austen heroines wouldn’t have had much trouble getting rid of this goober. Even Fanny Price managed to spurn Henry Crawford.
September 10th, 2005 at 7:06 pm
But what if he’s a Mr. Collins? Lizzie was about to apply to her father to get rid of him!
September 10th, 2005 at 10:04 pm
‘Lil Catherine Morland somehow manages to get rid of John Thorpe. Maybe ‘Just’ should take her cue from there