Had to ditch my creepy date

Dear Pastor,

I am a 21-year-old college student. I am from rural Jamaica but I am living on the compound of a certain institution.

My best friend and I are roommates. We were best friends when we were living in rural Jamaica and we are now roommates at college. One Saturday, I went to town to purchase a few personal items and I met a man who told me how he admired me from the time I walked into the store. He was talking plenty of nonsense and I told him I wasn't impressed with what he was saying because he might not be telling me the truth. He asked me for my number and I gave it to him. About 7:30 p.m. that day, he called me and wanted to know if he could invite me out. I told him I was sharing a place with another young lady and, if he was planning for us to go out, she would have to come. He asked me why. I told him that we generally go out together. I also told him that his invitation was sudden, so I could not go out with him unless he gives me more time. We planned for one week from the date and he agreed that my roommate could come.

My roommate has never gone out with a man apart from her brothers. When the day came, this man picked us up and took us to a restaurant. As we walked in, a couple of guys said to him, "You are fortunate to have two beautiful ladies with you". One asked him for my roommate. I was surprised that this gentleman did not object. My roommate said no, we should stay together, but the man who invited us told her "You can go, it is alright" and I was very upset. I asked him what he had in mind, and why he wanted us to separate. He said he would prefer if we could talk alone. I told him that, if we had to separate, he could take us back to the college. As far as I was concerned, the evening was spoilt. I told him that I didn't trust him and he said I was behaving as a country girl without any sense. I told him I am indeed a country girl and proud of it.

We have to pass Devon House to go back to college, so we asked that we be let off there. So we stopped there and had ice cream before going back on campus. Not every girl from rural Jamaica is foolish, and some of these men are trying their best to capture every skirt. All girls should be aware of these men who are behaving like tigers. They don't have any respect for us girls.

N.F.

Dear N.F.,

Girls ought to learn to protect each other, whether or not they are from rural Jamaica.

Your friend and you went out together, so you were quite correct in staying together. Some guys can spot inexperienced girls easily. Some, if they have the opportunity, would even put foreign matter in your drink and cause you to lose control of yourself. So, when you were at the restaurant and a gentleman wanted your friend to separate from you and be with him, she was correct in saying no. This young man who took both of you out should have told the man, "Not tonight; they are with me". He was eager for your friend to leave your table and join this man. You stood up for your friend and you said no. You were also correct in telling him to take you back to the college.

I hope that you would not return his telephone calls in the future and that you would never go out with him again.

Pastor