You're all soft and sweet?

Hey Al,
looks like you've gotten a hell lotta nicer to people who're writing in! Come now, spill, who's the pretty gal who's gotten you all soft and sweet? -- Liza

Hey Liza,
My couch.

Just kidding! Serious!
Don't make me go all out AL on ya!

Incase you're wondering, that's not me above, but a photo submitted by Ginther to a flickr competition. Vote for him or may your next new year be like your last!

A Bitchy girl's seat.

Dear AL:
I was sitting on a seat, without knowing that it was a bitchy girl's seat. Well, as the story would go, the bitchy girl came up to me, and growled, "Do you mind?" making a suggestion that it was her seat. I wasn't quite sure whether to say "yes" or "no" because of course I didn't want to give her the seat, seeing as there was no sign that it was hers, yet she was kind of intimidating. What should I say if something like this happens again? -- Shazza, shazza1112.blogspot.com

Dear Shazza:
Just be polite and say: "Where's your papers? If you're the owner of this seat, you surely have documentation to back this claim up, bitch." (Prepare to be carved)

Seriously, I wouldn't give in. But if you hate confrontation, save your face and give her the seat, unless you know for a fact she wont lay a finger on you, and isn't drunk, then blow her off.

Should I make the move?

Dear Al:
Thanks for your reply! Ok, during the 1st lunch, he did asked me some questions that is related to his report! (but I didn't tell him that much since I used to work in the same news agent as well, so I know the rules)!!! But during 2nd time, he didn't ask me anything about the company or industry that I am currently working in, instead, we talk about loads of common interests and we did joked alot! So I am really confuse now!!!! Should I make the move (not knowing whether he just wanna treat me as a friend)?
-- Sherry, C----

Dear Sherry:
Continuing where we left off, you know he was trying to use you, risking your job on this date, but you went out with him on a second date anyway? You wont believe how wide open you are right now, but I let you slide. Maybe he looked like Jackie Chan.

Being alone in a foreign country sucks, makes you desperate for companionship, sex, babies, but don't let that cloud your judgement. He's there for a story, not looking to start a family. Wait till he calls, but if he doesn't, forget him, and move on.

If he's interested in you, or your company, he will call. I just don't think it's a good idea seeing him since you're putting your job at risk. Go back to China if you're lonely and save yourself the trouble.

I really need u to tell me!

Dear AL:
Really need your advice on this and the story is long!!! I am from Hong Kong but currently working in C----. Last week, I met this journalist who tried to ask the company I worked in for an interview, but got rejected. Before he left, he gave me his business card and then I found out that he was from the same news agent that I used to work in when I was in HK!! (is it a sign?)

Anyway, he called me later and asked me out for a drink, that was follow by lunch the next day and dinner 2 days later..I had a great time chating with him but I am not sure if he likes me or not since he didn't really ask me much about myself and he didn't give me any hints that he is interested in me. What should I do ? Should I just give up? And also there is one problem, he and I are working in different parts of C----, so don't think we can meet that often....

Pls Pls... I really need u to tell me if I would have a chance with this guy or not! -- Sherry, C----
(location censored for your own safety due to your situation)

Dear Sherry:
He tries to interview your company, gets rejected, gives you his card, you go with him on dates, and not once did he ask you about yourself. Whoa! That's a sign or right! A sign that he could have been using you to get information about the company you work for, or just interested in your shoes.

He's a journalist, and if he was really interested in you, he would have probed your life like a major story, but he didn't like you said. He probably talked a little about his job, so you would open about where you work, to which he gradually drilled you with questions about you company, while trying to keep it casual. Even if I'm wrong about this, just going out with a journalist who tried to interview your company just doesn't look good.

If he writes a story, this could cost you your job, right in the middle of the C----.
I could be wrong, but to be sure, I need more information about what you both talked about on your dates, but no company name, and nothing about what your company does for your own safety. Write to me using the same form you used on the right, but don't send your email. I'll only write back to you here.

What would you do?

Dear AL:
Say there's this beautiful girl who's kinda nice, Republican, who can hold her own defending Creation. What would you do in my shoes?
-- Alan, Virginia Beach

Dear Alan:
Run away!