Dear Blake,
I come from a very traditional family, and my parents were born and raised in Egypt. I am 21 years old, and getting married next month to a man I met years ago. I was betrothed by my parents to marry the son of my father’s best friend when I was 6. I know very little about him, because I only met him once when I was a little girl. I am completely Americanized, and I don’t like this nutty tradition, but I don’t want to disappoint my parents. What do you think I should do?
Signed, Zahara
from New York City, New York
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Dear Zahara,
Maintaining a good relationship with your parents is always a good, because family values are the cornerstone of having a civilized society. However, you should try to do a background check on your potential husband and make an informed decision, rather than just cancelling the wedding. If he is some rich sheik, at the very least, bilk him for a few million before telling him that your heart isn’t in it. Or even try to get him to buy you some expensive gifts, and you’ll have the option of keeping them, or returning them and pocketing the cash. But, if you genuinely believe that there is no way out, and your parents insist that you marry him, be respectful and honor their request. But, tell them you’ll go through with it, only if the honeymoon is in Egypt. This way, it gives you a opportunity to “accidentally” push this pathetic loser off of the top of one of the Pyramids of Giza.
Blake