I give my neighbours access to my daily naked parade

Dear Diana,
I am a 24 year old engineer posted in a village in Tamil Nadu, located far away from Mumbai, my hometown. I am a shy, reserved guy who has never had any female friends. I have rented a single room on the upper floor of a two-storey house. The fact that I am far away from my home and that I can do anything here and not get noticed by my parents back in Mumbai has infused some kind of boldness in me. Of late, I've made it a habit to flash at married women who live around my building. I deliberately strip naked and roam around in my room. The neighbours can have a clear view of my room if all the windows are kept open. I'd bother about it initially but now I flash at every woman on her terrace. How do you think these women take this? I am sure all of them look at me, but they don't seem to mind it. They glance in my direction and then behave as if nothing happened. Will I be in trouble if I continue doing this?

Name withheld

Dear Friend,
You are asking for trouble. Just because you're far away from people who know you or your parents, doesn't mean news of your misdemeanour won't reach them. Sooner, rather than later, someone is going to get peeved with your regular 'flashing'. You are in the nude for the benefit of a certain audience. How do you think their husbands are going to react once they catch you in the act, deliberately being an exhibitionist. As far as I know, the laws in this country are quite strict as far as public nudity goes. While I am unaware what the law says about people flashing from their home (however, in plain view), I'm sure the police are going to be just as interested in paying you a visit. Cease and desist is all I will say. Unless you have the body to flaunt, I don't think women - married or otherwise - are going to be interested. Of course, everyone's curious and can afford a stray glance. But that doesn't mean they are going to keep quiet about it forever. To answer your question: yes, if you continue doing this, you will get into trouble.

Why can't they trust me?

Dear Diana,
My brother thinks I am too young to attend parties and has ensured that my parents don't send me out with friends, unless a chaperone tags along. I'm 17 and I don't think I am irresponsible. Why can't they trust me?

Harika

Dear Harika,
Parents and older siblings tend to get overprotective. In your case, you're still a minor and therefore (in their eyes) aren't old enough to know right from wrong. What you think matters little to them unless you can prove to them otherwise. Trouble is they will never give you the chance. Be patient, in a few years, they will have more confidence in you.

Guy I like is playing hard to get

Dear Diana,
I'm 25, and have had my fair share of bad relationships. I recently fell for a really nice guy. I've known him for three years now. We are great friends and can talk to each other about anything. I've tried to tell him that I am growing to love him. But every single time that I have, he seems to get on the backfoot and tell me that he's not right for me. He even goes to the extent of setting me up with his friends. I only care about him and he just won't reciprocate. What am I doing wrong here? Please help!

Name withheld

Dear Friend,
Don't let your past affect your present. The bad relationships are over and done with. This guy obviously doesn't feel the way you do and that's either something you are going to have to live with or deal with. The guy is being chivalrous in trying to tell you that he's wrong for you, but we know that it isn't the truth at all. You are the best judge of the things a guy tells you. He's not interested in you and is trying to tell you the best way he can, that he's not interested. Of course, you could always wait for him to change his mind. But you can't know for sure how long that will take.