Take a business approach to love

Q I’m 58, successful, handsome, accomplished and financially set. A few months ago, I met a young man who’s my complete opposite, and decades younger.

He’s successful in his own right and wants nothing from me other than to love him.

I’m the guy who isn’t a pushover and my head’s on pretty straight. I’m known as the sane one who my friends go to for advice. In fact, I never seek advice from others — that’s how confident I am. I’ve worked very hard to mask my feelings for this guy and he sees it.

He’s not concerned about age, but I can’t seem to get past a 32-year age gap. I want to love him. What’s your advice?

The Sane One

A Three months ago, you met a man who’s 26 and wants you to love him. You’re very successful and financially set. Your three- decades age difference means nothing to him.

No surprise. You bring everything that he could want to a relationship.

He doesn’t have to seek monetary support or expensive gifts, to benefit from being with you.

Here’s what I think you would say if someone asked your opinion about a similar situation:

In love within three months is a rush. You haven’t had enough time to get past the pleasure of his ego-stroking, to know enough about him.

If this were a business relationship you were contemplating, you’d want to know his background, his associates and his previous dealings. Transfer that approach to a romantic partnership, and you still need to know who his friends are, about his past relationship experiences, and how he dealt with them.

Spend another three months going beyond the emotional pull of his interest in you. Once you feel informed enough to make your decision, you’ll not need to ask other advice-givers’ opinions.

Q Throughout 22 years of living with a man, he’s had depression and refuses to get help.

I’m done with his negativity, constant criticism, doing nothing for me, and doing nothing as a couple for four years.

For two years, he’s become obsessed with religion and can’t talk to his children without quoting the Bible.

I don’t know what to do for someone who doesn’t want to help himself.

Fed Up A There may be nothing you can do for him … not because he’s become religious, but because his depression is too deep for him to find energy or practical means to get professional help.

However, it’s worth one more attempt: Use the one avenue that appeals to him and encourage him to see a pastoral counsellor of his faith.

If he refuses, ask his children to intervene before it’s too late. Insist they get him to a doctor regarding his depression.