Readers react to ‘proposals’

Dear Abby: Regarding the letter from “Dumbstruck in the East” (April 22), whose 9-year-old daughter has been getting “proposals of marriage” from a church usher in his 70s. An old man at church said things like that to me when I was about her age. He also was always trying to hug me. It made me uncomfortable and I disliked it. My mother never thought twice about him hugging me. Years later, when I was an adult, I learned he was a pedophile.

Her parents should go directly to the minister and let him know what is going on. If the parents decide to tell the usher his comment is not appreciated, they should say it’s uncalled for and please stop making that type of remark. While his comment may be harmless, you never know for sure. — On The Side Of Caution in Midwest Dear Caution: Readers had various reactions to that letter. Some echoed your sentiments, while others felt differently. Read on:

Dear Abby: I am from the same generation as the church usher. I was the little sister who was not as attractive as my older sibling. I remember elderly men complimenting me in a similar fashion, and although I realized I could never marry someone so much older, it lifted my self-esteem. — Joan in Kentucky Dear Abby: That man needs to be reported immediately. When I was 8, a friend of my dad used to tell me all the time he wanted to marry me. One day, when my parents weren’t home, he molested me. That little girl should be kept away from the usher. — Lynne in California Dear Abby: Next time the greeter tries the betrothal approach on the 9year-old, her dad should chime in, “You’ll have to get past me first!” It’s blunt, but it gets the message across.

— Practical in Maryland