Dr Date

Dear Dr. Date,

I recently found out I have an STD. It’s nothing serious, but the problem is I don’t know who gave it to me. I have had a few sexual partners since I was last tested, and they’re spread out over a couple years. What is the protocol for telling them? I don’t want to come off as blaming them (although one of them is to blame) for giving it to me, rather I want to be polite and tell them that they might be at risk/should tell their other partners. How do I go about doing that, especially for the guys I haven’t talked to in a couple years?

Dear Dr. Date,

My roommate/friend and I are gay and have a platonic friendship between us. Over the course of nearly two years of knowing him, he’s been “dating” the same guy. I say dating in quotes because my roommate isn’t exactly honest with his man. So far he’s hung out and hooked up with his ex a few times (he says his ex is his best friend, and I see them texting almost every day), brought over a few other guys, trolled around on dating sites (his profile says he is “looking for whatever”) and generally is not honest.

Dr. Date,

My ex-girlfriend wants to get back together and is acting like we’re still dating. But we broke up a month ago. I think she is trying to just act like nothing happened or that we just had a fight but are still together. How do I kindly tell her that we’re done? Do I have to break up with her a second time?

—She Missed The Boat

Seasick,

It sounds like you haven’t made yourself clear — that, or your girlfriend won’t accept “it’s over” no matter how you say it.

Dear Dr. Date,

I have a problem in the way I meet guys. I, probably like most University of Minnesota students, meet a lot of new people at the bars on the weekends. I’m looking my best, loosened up and having fun — altogether, I’m at my most attractive. I have no problem in actually meeting men, but the issue comes later: Even though I meet men at the bars, sometimes I still want to go out with them on a date, or at least see them again in a different setting.

Dr. Date,

Do you have any advice for people who are just starting the online dating thing?

—Online For the First Time

Dear Virtual Virg,

I’m all for meeting new homies in any kind of situation. Study buddies, coffee shop gossip gals and coworkers are all possible bones to add to your dog house.

Dear Dr. Date,

I’ve never been the type to care much about romantic relationships until recently, but now that I do, I have no idea where to start. It seems like everyone around me is happy with whatever relationship status they have right now, be it single or in a relationship or friends with benefits. I don’t know if it’s post-Valentine’s pheromones-rich air or what, but it’s gotten to the point where it’s been starting to affect my ability to concentrate on schoolwork.

Dr. Date,

I have a question about cleanup after making the transition from condoms to the pill. What do other people do after they finish their sessions? Depending on our mood, we either relegate half our mattress to isolation or try to shuffle over to the nearest box of tissues. The system works fine other than some minor kinks when we’re somewhere other than the bed with no tissues around, but I wonder if there’s a better way. So what do most people do? Rock-paper-scissors for who sleeps on the wet spot?

—Cumkins

Come Again,

Dr. Date,

I’m meeting my girlfriend’s dad for the first time. She doesn’t have the best relationship with him, but they’re trying to make amends. How can I make sure this goes as smoothly as possible, for both her and me?

—Stuck In The Middle

Dear Middle Man,

You’ve got to be your boo’s rock. No, not her Dwayne Johnson — I mean her stability system for when Pops rides his horse into town.

Dr. Date,

Dear Dr. Date,

I was talking about current events with my newish boyfriend, and gay marriage came up. He said he doesn’t support it, which I disagree with. I am OK with dating someone who has different political beliefs than me because I don’t believe that defines a person, and I can separate a person from his or her leanings. But I am concerned about the gay marriage thing because I can’t tell if he is simply discriminatory. Basically, how can I tell the difference between my boyfriend being just more conservative than me or him being a bigot?