Editor’s Note
Get ready for a new voice in our advice column! This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Shirley Wendelski to the WRYL family.
We know how much you’ve enjoyed the wisdom and wit of Jadja Torkelwicz over the years. We’re incredibly grateful for her insightful guidance and wish her all the best as she retires to sunny Florida!
Shirley brings a fresh perspective and a warm heart to life’s challenges. We’re sure you’ll find her advice just as comforting and thought-provoking as you navigate your own twists and turns.
Please give Shirley a warm welcome!
Dear Shirley,
I’m a young woman in my early twenties, and I’ve found myself in quite a quandary. There’s a perfectly charming gentleman, Peter, who works at the soda fountain at Kressler’s Drug Store on Main Street. He’s got the nicest smile and always remembers how I like my cherry phosphate. The problem is, I don’t think he sees me as anything more than another customer! I’ve tried everything I can think of. I always wear my prettiest dresses when I go in, and I make sure my hair is just so. I even “accidentally” dropped my glove right in front of him last Tuesday, hoping he’d pick it up and our fingers would brush. He just pointed to it and said, “Ma’am, I believe you dropped this.” It was mortifying! My girlfriends tell me to be more “forward,” but frankly, the thought of directly telling a man my feelings makes me want to faint! Is there a subtle, ladylike way to let a fellow know you’re keen without making a spectacle of yourself? I’m worried if I don’t do something soon, he’ll be swooning over some other gal.
Sincerely,
Pining for Peter
Dear Pining for Peter,
Oh, my dear, your predicament is as common as a poodle skirt at a sock hop! Many a heart has fluttered for a soda jerk with a kind smile. Rest assured, there are indeed ways to tip your hand without resorting to a grand declaration or, heaven forbid, tripping him with your dropped glove! First, let’s refine your “accidental” tactics. Instead of merely dropping something, try making eye contact and holding it just a fraction longer than polite. A warm, lingering gaze can speak volumes. When he’s handing you your phosphate, let your fingers “gently” brush his for a moment longer than necessary. A little spark, even a fleeting one, can ignite curiosity. Second, engage him in conversation beyond the weather. Ask him about his interests – does he follow baseball? Is he looking forward to the new picture show? Show genuine interest in his replies. Men, bless their hearts, do enjoy talking about themselves. And a compliment never goes amiss. Perhaps, “Stanley, you make the best cherry phosphate in the whole city!” Third, and this is where a touch of daring comes in, find a reason to linger or return. “Oh, dear, I seem to have forgotten my purse! I’ll be right back,” or “This phosphate is simply divine, I must try another next week!” Make yourself a pleasant, recurring fixture in his day. Familiarity, combined with your charming presence, can lead to fondness. And finally, my dear, if all else fails and you’ve tried these subtle cues, remember that sometimes a man needs a gentle nudge. You don’t have to declare undying love, but a simple, “Stanley, I always enjoy coming in here, you really brighten my day,” delivered with a genuine smile and that lingering eye contact, might just be the boldest, yet still ladylike, step you need to take. Good luck, Pining for Peter! May your future be as sweet as your favorite phosphate.
Warmly,
Shirley
