In time you’ll form better idea of mate

Dear Annie: I am an average 18-year-old guy. I work hard to achieve my goals in life. I have many interests. I have lots of friends who are girls. I go on dates.

The problem is, it’s all the same. I mean, I feel the same for every girl I meet and date. Things go well, but I just can’t see a future with any of them. They are not what I am looking for.

I believe everyone is destined to be with someone. I’m not searching for perfection. I just want a girl I can imagine a future with, someone who likes some of the same things I do.

I know a few girls who would love to date me and one day marry me. I’m starting to think maybe I should just be with one of them, even though it’s not really what I want. Do you think I should just give up and settle for one of them because I can’t seem to find what I’m looking for? Am I rushing things, or am I just too picky? – Wondering If She’s Out There

Dear Wondering: We would be very surprised if you met your future wife by the age of 18. It happens, but not often. Very few teenagers are ready to settle down, which is as it should be. Slow down.

As you get older, your ideas of what you want will coalesce, and you will have a better idea of what makes a good partner for you. The women around you also will be growing up, changing and maturing, and developing many of the characteristics you find appealing. If you meet enough women, eventually you should be attracted to one you want to settle down with. Put some of that energy into your education – you can meet a lot of women in college.

Dear Annie: I have been living with “Tony” for two years, and his mother says I am like a daughter-in-law. However, when I was at her house recently, I noticed she had put out an old picture of Tony with his arm wrapped around another woman.

I told Tony that I thought this picture was disrespectful to me, and if it were my mother, I would have told her to put it away. Tony said I was making too much out of nothing. He bet me that 99 percent of other women would think nothing of it. Is he right? – Settle Our Bet

Dear Settle: Based on our mail, we’d say Tony is completely wrong. Most women are indeed upset by this sort of thing. However, you cannot control what someone else does in her own house. Tony should ask, nicely, if his mother would consider putting that picture out of your line of sight, but otherwise, leave it alone.

Dear Annie: With the holidays approaching, I would appreciate it if you would print this. I am an adult newspaper carrier and deliver seven days a week. For my efforts, I make less than 10 cents per paper, per day, and that does not take into account the gas for my car or the supplies I have to buy to wrap my papers in.

My customers all pay by mail, and half of them have never included a tip with their payment. It is not for lack of service, as I am very dependable. I would like to ask everyone who gets home delivery of their newspaper to please be generous with their newspaper carrier this Christmas. Thanks. – K.

Dear K.: Many people do not realize that it is appropriate to tip the person who delivers the newspaper. Folks, these people work hard so you can have your paper delivered to your door (or relatively close to it). Keep them in mind at holiday time.

Dear Readers: Please remember to light a candle tonight at 7 p.m. local time, in remembrance of all the children who have died.