LISTEN TO YOUR FRIEND BILLY ZANE
He’s a cool guy. He’s trying to help you
Dear Billy Bit concerned that one of my close family members is something of a closet racist. They keep posting memes on a popular social network, and making the kind of broad, sweeping statements that make me deeply uncomfortable. Should I confront them? Don¹t want to kick off World War III, but it appals me that someone who’s my flesh and blood can hold such views. Or should I unfriend them and hope they don’t notice? Yours, tl Like it or not, friend or family, that racist needs help like all others with that sickly condition. Extreme xenophobic generalising is a product of fear, ignorance, and some serious selfloathing. as the grown-up in the room, engage them with the love and compassion they are so lacking to help them feel better about themselves. as easy as it is to hate a racist, it is seemingly as easy for them to be a racist. Do the hard thing. Be bigger. Wiser. While punishment should be reserved for criminal behaviour when racism acts out, if you have the opportunity to nip this festering cancer in the bud, and help shape a more compassionate, broader world view before it takes root, try to do so. Indeed, have a word. although speak to them first without condemnation, as that tends to make people, no matter how brazenly wrong, justify and defend. Lead them out of the woods and demonstrate the wonderful benefits that love attracts over hate every time. Dear Billy Bit awkward, this one, but what should you do when the fizz goes out of a long-term relationship? Physically speaking, that is. Still love my boyfriend to bits, but lately the spark hasn’t been there. Any thoughts? Yours, ab Oh, that old chestnut. get the tv out of the bedroom. Read books to each other before bed. add two parts spark, three parts fizz and a bit of alcohol, and some love. then have sex in every other room but the bedroom for the next three next days. Don’t take pictures. But do let us know how that worked for you. Enjoy! Hey Billy You are, indeed, a cool guy. I love this column. Your wisdom has been wonderful to read, and now I find myself in need of it. Basically, I loaned a fairly large sum of money to a good friend of mine a while ago, and they’re not falling over themselves to pay it back. Every time I remind them, they change the subject. It’s going to get to the point soon where I might need the money to help myself out of a financial bind. How do I get them to pay me back without ruining the friendship? All the best, JW I told you I’d get you the money! this is a low way to come at me! In public? so humiliating! Is nothing sacred? I guess not. Nothing is off limits when your needs are on the line. Fine! You’ll get it first thing. send me the wire instructions. Jeez! Hope that helps. ;) there is nothing to preserve if this cat is swerving you and doesn’t have the decency to address the issue. get your dosh. Hi Billy Fellow actor here, about to tread the boards for the first time. Any advice on how to conquer those opening-night nerves? Cheers, KP Your blood sugar will drop. Your heart will race. You’ll feel faint. great stuff! When I didn’t want that particular rush, salt worked for me. I put a pinch in the pocket of every piece of wardrobe I was wearing. Just a touch on the tongue was enough to ground me. I did it right before I went on and it was just nice to know it was there if I needed it. If you don’t have issues with salt and your doctor approves, give it a shot.