Dear Auntie...  

I met a guy over the phone about 2 yrs ago but 6 months ago we started a relationship. He wants to meet up with me but I can't because of personal problems. He says he will wait and a few days ago he asked me to marry him I want to but my parents are dead set against it because he's Indian and I'm Pakistani. I think if I let him go he can find somebody else and I don't want to make him wait but I love him. What shall I do?

Auntie says...

I'm a bit confused. You say he wants to marry you, but you have never met him yet in person? I think you should get round to doing this first before you start thinking about serious issues like love, marriage and your parent's sensibilities.

Dear Auntie...  

I'm an Asian 17 year old and I'm madly hopelessly devotedly in love with my wonderful sexy and dear and one of a kind boyfriend. I'm afraid we had a passionate night that has left me pregnant but he doesn't know. Help me massi!

Auntie says...

I think you need to tell your boyfriend asap and then you can both work it out together. You may also want to pop down to your local health clinic to check out your options...and pick up some free condoms.

Dear Auntie...   

I can't get married.

Auntie says...

I'm sorry. These things happen.

Dear Auntie...    

Asalaamalaykum, I have this really big problem. A huge porous inflammation i.e. a spot! And the biggest problem is that I feel like picking it, but my boyfriend also wants to pick it. He says he will break up with me if I don't let him. What shall I do?

Auntie says...

You have three options: a) dump your boyfriend for being so shallow and pick the spot yourself; b) let your boyfriend pick your spot and leave you with a hideous deformity or c) let nature (and spot cream) take its course - you'll make the spot worse by popping it.

Please help me. I have got a problem and I find it very embarrassing. I am male 21 yrs old and lately I have noticed hair out side my nose what shall I do?

Auntie says...

Give up all hope that you are going to pull or buy a pair of tweezers and spend an hour torturing yourself. The choice....is yours!

Dear Auntie...  

Give us some tips to help relieve stress or I might just lose it and crash a plane or something!

Auntie says...

I'm assuming you are a pilot then! Or are living in a fantasy land which has now impinged upon reality. In either case, I think you should sit down and figure out what is bothering you first..are you doing too much, do you have money problems, relationship problems? It could be anything...but once you pinpoint you can start thinking about how to reduce stress. In the meanwhile, can you email me a list of all the flights you will be piloting? Much appreciated.

Dear Auntie...  

I need some solid advice I am 19 and am living with my parents. I am in a serious relationship with a girl for a few years. The dilemma is that I have to marry a cousin from abroad but I want to marry my girlfriend; I have been told by my parents to choose between her or them. The only reason they want me to marry the girl abroad is so that they keep themselves happy, they are not thinking of my happiness. I would like to compromise with my parents but unfortunately they are not interested. I know by reading this you will probably say you're too young or you have to choose between them or her but I would like you to put yourself in my shoes and give some advice. I hope you can be helpful I have been advised by a friend that you can offer people good advice. So if you can help a brother from the Asian community, isn't that what this website is for? Then please do, I will be waiting for your reply.

Auntie says...

You are not the only one in this situation; countless Asians in this country are caught in the same trap of having to wrestle between two cultures - which is what this boils down to, a clash of cultures. There is no easy answer to your dilemma. After all, your parents will fight hard to save their way of life; and you will fight for individual choice. I will say that you are too young to be making such a choice between your family and your girlfriend. But you do need to talk to your parents (in a non-confrontational manner) and see if you can't work something out. A couple of years breathing space would be a start; these decisions are not to be taken lightly at such a tender age.

Ask Auntie...

Email address: (will not be disclosed)

Dear Auntie...  

My boss keeps on giving me really boring things to do. He is very pedantic and I feel I cannot meet his exacting standards of English. He is also a complete old woman. I am thinking of enrolling for a further degree course in September to escape from him.

What do you think, Auntie?

Auntie says...

Do your further degree in English Language.

Somebody crashed into my car and then drove off. I don't know when it happened but there's another car at our block of flats with suspicious marks on the front wing and the bumper hanging off. How do I approach this person and accuse them of hitting my car? (which will cost me £500 to fix!).

Auntie says...

Dear oh dear. There is really no respect for property these days is there? Perhaps you could approach the owner of the bruised vehicle and inquire as to how his/her car got damaged whilst casually adding that your own car was also hit recently and you were wondering if there was a spate of attacks on vehicles in the area. A guilty look may confirm your suspicions...but if it's a big lad then...easy tiger!