A Gem from Carolyn Hax

A few years ago, I first spotted Carolyn Hax in the Houston Chronicle a couple of months before my friend Adrian Hester recommended the column to me anyway. (And his recommendation would have caused me to give it a look if I hadn't already or I was initially lukewarm about it.)

Anyway, when I first spotted the young face pictured with the column, I thought something like, "Oh boy! The Chron's gotta get some politically-correct moonbat to give advice so's it can burnish its credentials as a liberal paper." But from that first column on, I went from pleasant surprise to fandom. In one of last weekend's Chronicles, the following gem appeared that I simply must record in case I need it later!

Dear Carolyn: I'm a 16-year-old who reeeeally wants to get her eyebrow pierced. My dad is totally against it. I want to do it for three reasons: A. Self-expression; B. It'll be a new experience; C. It's something I really want. If you could give me some advice on how I could convince my dad, I would really appreciate it.

A. Find an actual third reason.

B. To qualify as self-expression, the piercing has to be your way of saying something. Type that something out for dad, in 500 words, and include your research on any risks.

C. Ethiopian food, in-line skating, learning sign language: three new-to-me experiences that won't add holes to my face. Probably.

D. If the piercing is a brilliant idea, you'll still want it one year from today. See if Dad will agree to that.

I'm not that dad yet, but if I end up being that dad, I'll be ready!

-- CAV