John Peter Sloan

Dear John,
I am in love with a girl who works at the checkout at the local supermarket, but I don’t know how to invite her out. I mean, I don’t know what to say... help!
Name withheld

This is what you do. Buy the ingredients for a nice meal and, when she takes the steaks, ask her how you should cook them for her: “That second steak is for you, how do you want it cooked?”
Or, if you’re REALLY brave ... wait until she takes the eggs then ask her how she wants them cooked for breakfast! Good luck.

Dear John,
I have been going out with my girlfriend for just six months and she’s already  talking about marriage. She’s 33 and I’m 35. I do love her, but I don’t feel ready and I don’t want to hurt her. What can I do?
Simone

Run, run for your life!
Now, seriously: some women panic a little when they hit 30, they may feel that their biological clocks are ticking a little louder. Personally, I think marriage is overrated. I never married myself, never saw the point in it. It’s not even fashionable any more, thankfully. Tell her that when you feel ready you will ask her to marry you in the old-fashioned way, on one knee, etc. Remember though, if she’s thinking about marriage, she’s probably thinking about kids so...
Run, run for your life!