Dear Pam:

   I have a girl friend who is very nice in every way except for one thing -- she borrows things and never returns them. She owes me at least $2.00 from last year, and at various times has borrowed my gym shirt and socks and I never see them again.

   How can I get her to quit borrowing and still retain her friendship?

All borrowed out  

Dear All Borrowed Out:

   This girl sounds like a free-loader not a friend and you are promoting her sloppy manners by being such a shrinking violet. The give and take between friends is an admirable arrangement but in this situation you do all the giving. Nothing but resentment can come from it, and, curiously enough, you are likely to discover that she will end up resenting you.

   The next time she comes a-borrowing be fresh out of whatever it is she wants.

Dear Pam:

   My life is miserable. All summer I have been away and now that I am back with the gang again a certain girl has taken over my popularity. She talks to everyone behind my back and starts false rumors. Even my boy friend is beginning to drop me. What can I do to gain back my popularity and show what a cat she really is?

Miserable  

Dear Miserable:

   There is only one way to combat this sniping character -- ignore her. Any popularity she has built through false rumor is built on the shakiest of all foundations. Sooner or later the gang will wake up and ask themselves - "if she says that about one person, why wouldn't she say it about me?" Work on yourself in a positive way. Be friendly and kind and considerate with everyone you meet. These qualities always win out . . . and SMILE!

Pam  

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