YOUR PROBLEMS SOLVED
Q. Are there any circumstances in which it IS permissible to ask one's GP for a date? My GP is extremely attractive and is, as far as I know, like me, unattached. However, I feel I can hardly ask her to accompany me la, say, a concert at the Opera House while engaged in a medical consultation. I don't see her in any circumstances other than at her practice, although this is just across the street from where I live and so I can Pop in on a pretext should the occa- slot' arise. We share certain interests such as music and art, but I hesitate to add MMore detail as the local paper, the Sydney orning Herald, has recently reprinted me letters from your column on its front Page. I know she reads the Herald and she Would know the identity of her admirer should the Herald reprint my letter to you with my name attached.
Name withheld, Sydney, Australia A. There is a time-honoured and uncontro- versial tradition whereby patients give pre- sents to their GPs. No one would raise an eyebrow, therefore, were you to pop into surgery one day and tell the reception- ist, in a businesslike manner, that you occa- sionally have spare tickets to various cultur- al events and would like to pass a pair on to Your GP if she would enjoy using them. Would she be interested, for instance, in the forthcoming production of X? Send the
Dear Mary. . .
tickets to her via the receptionist, but buy another pair for yourself and a friend and go to the same performance. During the interval you can then, quite reasonably, approach your GP in the crush bar for a chat. You may have to repeat the whole procedure more than once before you gain the opportunity to quip, 'Of course I would have liked to have taken you here myself but I understand it's against the law unless I sign up with another doctor. Is that so?' In this way you will place the ball in her court but you will have already been able to tell by her body language what her response is likely to be.
Q. Throughout my life I have been some- thing of a trendsetter in what might be called bohemian dressing. I favoured gym shoes and sandals and little gypsy waistcoats long before the beatniks took over. Now, at the age of 65, I am going through a crisis over my personal appearance. I enjoy sur- prising my friends, but I feel that at my age my wardrobe is beginning to make me look rather more 'down and out' than 'far out'. What do you suggest, Mary? Name withheld, Norfolk A. Anything other than a suit for a man of your age is obviously a studied form of van- ity, so why not do a Nicky Haslam in reverse? Pick up a couple of sober, dark suits from Marks & Spencer and switch to wearing a white shirt and silver tie and some smart black lace-up shoes at all times. In this way you will surprise your friends far more than by continuing with the Marquess of Bath outfits.
Q. I understand that the famous literary agent Ed Victor does not take on clients unless he already knows them or they are friends of friends. I have just completed a novel which I would love him to handle. How can I meet him socially?
LA., Chawton, Hants A. Why not swallow your pride and take an unpaid work experience job in his Bedford Square office? Within a couple of months at the most, you are extremely likely to have the opportunity to meet Ed Victor face to face and can then start exuding your personal charisma.
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