Daughter wants acceptance

Dear Annie: I have a beautiful daughter in her mid-20s. She does have a peculiar bad habit: She picks her nose in public. It’s not just a quick pick when no one is looking. This is a thorough deep cleaning without a tissue.

I have tried to talk to her about this, but her response is: “People need to accept me for who I am. If they don’t like me because I pick my nose, I don’t need them as friends.” I can’t help but think that her behavior is more than just a bad habit. I think she uses it as a test to see whether people accept her and, perhaps, to drive some people away.

I have discussed this with other members of our family and her friends. They all say about the same thing: “If she wants to pick her nose, let her pick her nose.” I love her and want to see her succeed in life. I think her habit is holding her back socially, and it may affect her in her future career. I don’t know how to continue bringing up the subject and find the right words to encourage her. Dad Who Cares

Dear Dad Who Cares: Ick. On the one hand, the friends and family members are right. You can’t force someone to give up a bad habit, no matter how gross or self-destructive the habit might be. On the other hand, I can’t blame you for trying. If the social damage doesn’t deter her, fine, but she should consider the damage to her health. According to New York University otolaryngologist Erich Voigt, picking your nose introduces germs while also “causing little abrasions,” and the blood from the abrasions then provides food for the germs. That means your daughter’s nose could be home to dangerous bacteria. As I said earlier, ick. I hope she is moved to kick this nasty habit, pronto.

Dear Annie: I was watching the TV show about Queen Victoria when I read the letter from Paul in Sonora, who asked why American women are obsessed with British royals. In a monarchy, women have real power. American politics are all about men and their submissive little wifeypoos. It’s refreshing to see a system that cannot continue without the contribution of strong women. There’s also the continuity. Even if a president’s family members are likable, they are gone in eight years. The royal family is always there. Jane in Virginia

Dear Jane: Thank you for the insights into royal fever. I hadn’t considered these causes, but I think you’re onto something.