Dear Rico:
My boyfriend of the last six months is a very nice, sensitive man who treats me with great respect. The problem is he works as cashier at the local mall and doesn’t seem to have any dreams for the future. (We’re both in our mid-30’s) Though he is somehow able to just barely pay the bills, and seems happy with his life, I keep telling he should think of going to college so he can better job and have a more stable future. Every time I mention this to him, we end up in a huge argument. I’ve told him several times its good he’s happy now, but what about the future? He just won’t listen to me. What should I do?
Frustrated in Santa Fee
Dear Frustrated:
Hmm, what should you do? I don’t know, have you tried respecting his opinion and dropping the subject? You’ve written words like “every time,” “we keep,” and “several times” which leads me to believe you repeatedly bring up the subject. He says he’s happy, what business is it of yours? Not every person in this world lives in an ivory tower and goes on to have a high-powered job, and more importantly, not everyone wants to. Rather than “making him listen,” maybe it is time you shut up and did the listening. He says he’s happy, so leave it at that. If you don’t think his future is “stable” enough for you, that’s your problem, not his. Let him live his life as he wants to. If you can’t, move on and find somebody who will meet your criteria.
Love,
Rico