Dear Tat,

I'm always hiding my inner self. I don't really know if people would like the way I act if I let my inner self loose. I need some advice. I'm tired of pretending!

Hidden

Dear Hidden,

First of all, I need to know more details. What is your inner self like and your outer self like? Which do you prefer? Please write back for next month's paper.

Tat

Dear Tat,

I have a limited amount of money to spend on gifts this Christmas. What should I do? Where in town do you advise me to shop at?

Limited

Dear Limited,

Shop where there are sales such as the Co-op, or at rummage sales where you get the best deal of all.

Tat

Dear Tat,

I have no one to celebrate the holidays with. My friends have their own families to be with and I don't think they would want me around. And I'm so far away from my family. What should I do?

Lonely

Dear Lonely,

Talk to your friends about it. I'm sure one of them will have a heart and take pity on you.

Tat

Dear Tat,

Last Christmas I got socks for my Christmas present from my grandparents, and also from my aunties and my cousins. And from my friends too. Why socks? Don't they get the hint that we like stylish things?! I don't mean to be rude, but socks are lame. Should I tell them how I feel or just keep hiding the socks I get under my bed?

Socks Sick

Dear Socks Sick,

Maybe they thought you really needed more socks, so they got you socks for your Christmas present. They're probably still back in the 80's, so you should just use the socks you got for Christmas and make them feel happy you're using the stuff they got for you.

Tat

Dear Tat,

Around the holidays when people start buying gifts, I don't sell as much as my competition does. Is it my prices, or is it me?

Manager

Dear Manager,

It is probably your prices. I think you should lower them so more people could buy things from your store. Or you could order better looking stuff. Then maybe more customers will be attracted by the stuff you have. I suggest you order
black bull leaves. Lots of people chew black bull, and if you do you'll probably
sell out.

Tat

Dear Tat,
My gram has this puppy whose name is "Sister," and it is always scratching. Even though we give it baths, it still scratches. Do you think I should put
it out of its misery?

Concerned

Dear Concerned,

Don't go too close to it. It might have fleas or lice or pupiks. Throw it out in the cold and let the fleas and lice die. Then bring it back in and let it soak in a tub of warm water. If that doesn't solve your problem, write back to me.

Tat