Man lied about his last name

Dear Abby: I’ve recently started seeing someone, and we have shared a wealth of information about ourselves with each other. When I asked him his last name, he said it was “Erickson.” When I asked him if he had a middle name, he responded that he didn’t.

Soon after, I saw his driver’s license. It had a completely different last name from the one he gave me, and it turns out he does have a middle name after all. Now I’m starting to question everything he told me, and I’m afraid he may have lied about even bigger things.

What reason would he possibly have to lie about such a simple thing? And how should I confront him about it? – Just Plain Confused in Georgia

Dear Confused: The reason someone would give false information is usually because the person has something to hide. Unless “Mr. Erickson” is in witness protection, my guess is he is married or has a criminal record he doesn’t want you to discover. Rather than confront him and be lied to again, run in the opposite direction and cease any further contact with him!

Dear Abby: I am an avid fisherman with limited boating knowledge. Recently, a friend bought an older used boat that has questionable integrity. He keeps inviting me to go out on it with him, and I’m running out of excuses not to.

The real reason is my friend is inexperienced and the boat is unreliable. I don’t want to be stuck out in the bay in a boat we can’t fix. What’s the best way to handle this? – Leery Fisherman in Texas

Dear Leery: The way to approach it would be to tell your friend the truth. Ask if he has taken a boating safety course, and if the answer is no, suggest he do it – or that you do it together.

As to the integrity of the vessel, ask your friend if the boat was inspected at the time of purchase, and if it wasn’t, urge him to have it done.