I work as a PR in a fairly large company. Last month, there was a meeting to discuss what kind of calendar we will distribute to our customers. We always do a very nice one, with beautiful photographs of scenes of nature for every month.

This year, however, my boss has decided that the company should do two calendars. One will have photos of nature. The other one will have photos of naked women.

I am very upset. I'm the one who is assigned to give each customer a calendar. How can I give these people a calendar with naked women? Never in my life have I had to face this situation. What will the customers think of me when they see this calendar? I grew up abroad, and my parents and teachers always taught me that no one will respect me if I don't respect myself.

Of course no one listened to me, not even the women at the meeting.

They all said that the customers would be pleased to receive a calendar with naked women on it.

I'm going to have to visit our customers next week with these calendars. I must do it. It's my job. Please give me advice on how to handle this problem.

Jeet

Dear Khun Jeet,

You may be surprised to learn that many companies, including high-profile ones, distribute two kinds of calendars. I've never enjoyed looking at photos of naked women (maybe I'm too jealous of their perfect bodies), and I've never thought that a company had to produce this kind of gift to keep customers.

My men friends, however, tell me that they always feel pleased when someone gives them such a calendar. They would never display it in their offices, but they do hang it in private places, or they give it away.

When you visit a customer, make sure that the "naked" calendar is securely wrapped. Then, when you hand it over, smile and say, "Here's a special calendar. Look at it later."

Your customer probably won't open it in front of you, unless he's a clod. Just be careful. You may be surprised how many women will want to see the calendar too - just to check it out.

As you said, respect yourself. You have no reason to feel ashamed. If you don't act silly, your customer will act properly as well.

Dear Khun Melanee,

My boyfriend and I are engaged to be married, probably next year or the year after.

Now my boyfriend's mother says that she wants us to get married in two or three months. She says that her son shouldn't have to wait too long to get married.

I was surprised by what she said. When we got engaged, she never asked us about our plans. Now she seems to think getting married is really urgent. I don't want to get married so quickly. I'd like to wait until we're settled in our careers and have enough money to buy a comfortable house. Then, when we feel it's the right time for us, we can marry. What's the hurry, anyway?

My boyfriend hasn't said anything about what his mother asked him to do. I've talked to him several times, and he just shakes his head. I wonder if he really cares when we get married. My parents have said that the decision is mine and my boyfriend's, but his mother insists that we cannot wait.

What do you think?

Penni

Dear Khun Penni,

My dear, why did you not ask your future mother-in-law why she has suddenly made this request? The reason may be that she's grown bored waiting for you two to set a date, or perhaps she's grown anxious for her grandchildren to appear. From the way you've described the situation, it's unlikely that she's made her request after consulting a monk or a fortune-teller. If she had asked someone else for advice, she would have mentioned it to you.

On the other hand, she may have some other pressing reason, such as bad news about her health, for instance.

You also need to sit down with your boyfriend and discuss what you want to do. Your boyfriend also needs to tell you how important he considers his mother's request. You may not know him as well as you think you do. If it turns out that he will do whatever his mother asks, you should re-think how much you want her to be making other decisions involving the rest of your life.

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By Melanee petra