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Antonia Zerbisias has been a Star columnist since 1989 but has been telling people what she thinks ever since she could open her mouth. Her career ambition as an opinionator dates back to Grade 9 when a cartoon commentary on a teacher resulted in her suspension from high school. The principal sent her home with a note calling her "rude, obstreperous and bold." Her parents were neither amused, nor surprised. Once she was punished for being that way. Now she makes it pay. And, because she can take it as well as dish it out, she wants to hear what you have to say. Fire away!
Since my own use of metaphor is occasionally misinterpreted, I do not hasten to interpret the "car" John refers to as the same car Sheila mentions. It seems entirely possible to me that John is not referring to a real car at all. He may just be using the standard word for automobile as a 'vehicle' to make his point, which would be a very guy way to make such a point… if you get what I am driving at. I hope for the sake of many doctors that women do not read metaphors the same way popular humour suggests they drive real cars, because if they think John's advice is so bad then they must believe every doctor who has ever prescribed Viagra should be locked up alongside Dear John.
Posted by: Jim M | December 11, 2009 at 09:41 PM
Hahaha, I think he misunderstood just a little.
Posted by: Ashley | December 11, 2009 at 10:49 PM
The name of 'John' conjures all kinds of images. "The prostitute was with her john" "The john was arrested for...". "I need to go to the john..."And now this.
Ol John can't catch a break, however that is way over the top and if I did not know better, it was probably written by Susan, Bill or Igor or someone using John's name.
Posted by: John Merritt | December 11, 2009 at 11:11 PM
I thought it was good, dispassionate advice when confronted with an anxiety inducing situation.
I would also add that she should not let the mechanic convince her that it has anything to do with the tires.
Posted by: mozo | December 12, 2009 at 08:04 AM
There are many men out there who ARE compassionate and DO experience 3-dimensional feelings!
Reverse sexism such as "why men shouldn't write advice columns" is no more logical than sexism towards women!
Buying into "mars and venus" differences only perpetuates the thinking that women and men are very different and it gets to be a slippery slope - just because male and female biology/nature do indeed have SOME differences, the mars and venus "books" out there overly EXAGGERATE them.
Yes, there *are* men who have empathy and many would find these persistent , 2-dimensional stereotypes annoying and just plain offensive.
Posted by: Daniela | December 12, 2009 at 01:10 PM
Yeah, I remember finding stuff like this funny.
Then I found my own ex doing a variation on what "John" did.
The best and most supportive people in my circle of friends were the men, who sincerely wanted to make sure I was okay and didn't want me thinking all guys were like that. My women friends were amazing too, but the guys really went the extra mile.
Being nice and being a jerk are not gender-specific, although they both may be manifested by one's attitudes towards gender.
Posted by: Kat | December 12, 2009 at 06:22 PM
Is this what Daniela is trying to say?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-5gJgUgCwk
Posted by: Jim M | December 13, 2009 at 08:10 AM