Annie’s Mailbox: It’s in his makeup to offer to aid gals

Dear Annie: My boyfriend and I have been together for three years. We are compatible in every way but one. He feels compelled to run to the aid of his single, female neighbor, even though she has a boyfriend. He watches her dog, fixes her fence, helps with clogged drains, etc. I’ve told him this makes me uncomfortable. I feel he is sending the wrong message, enabling her to rely upon him and creating a bond. I want him to stop volunteering his services. He thinks I am making a big deal out of nothing. He says he likes to help people.

A similar situation happened two years ago with a different single, female neighbor, and I found a flirtatious note from her on his door. I don’t believe anything happened between them, but the neighbor apparently hoped something would.

I think he craves the adoration and wants women to idolize and praise him for coming to their rescue. Am I being petty, or is my boyfriend playing me for a fool? – Concerned Girlfriend

Dear Concerned: Neither. You are probably right about your boyfriend’s need for admiration and praise, and it has nothing to do with playing you for a fool. This is simply part of his character. The problem, as you say, is that some women will get the impression that he is interested in them romantically. If he is unwilling to accept this fact, your choice is to trust him and put up with it, or break it off.