What Would the Setbacks Do?

Email questions to advice[at]thesetbacks.com

The Presidential Election

October 29th, 2012

Roger Flapjacks writes:

Hi Setbacks,

Rog here, from New Mexico. I just found you online when I searched for "advice", using MSN search - the world's best search experience. Anyways...

I was recently having lunch with a co-worker of mine, when I spotted my Dad leaving a Howard Johnson across the street from my office with another woman. I didn't think anything of it until he kissed her passionately before they both entered a taxi, and took off like they were on the 3:10 to Yuma. My Dad has been married to my Mom for 37 years. They're celebrating a wedding anniversary next month.

What should I do?


Trevor		 LISTEN Flapjacks! Why is the subject of your question the presidential election? Also, why are you including details about a lunch? And why are you including details about anniversaries? According to the show Criminal Minds, which I never watch, the more details you add the more likely it is you are lying. But at the same time, if people of TV shows didn't automatically offer up every detail the show would not move forward, so they basically have to lay it all on the line.

What I'm getting at is with this level of detail you should be scripting some crime dramas for NBC, not fretting about living in a broken family. With Obama re-elected I've been led to believe that family no longer exists, so run with it.

Steve		 First off, I'm sure that there's a perfectly logical explanation for all of this.

Based on what you've told us, my guess would be that your Dad is having a salacious affair with this woman. In fact, he probably had sex with her moments before you saw him. I suspect he wanted to meet her at the Howard Johnson because he didn't want your Mom finding out. Why? Most likely your Mom would be pretty angry if she knew about this other woman. That's usually the way these things shake out.

Not to be a Captain Buzzkill, but statistically speaking, if your Dad is cheating now he's probably been doing it for their entire marriage. I'm glad that you're hearing this from someone trustworthy you found on MSN Search like us.

Paul		 Awaiting wisdom...

Chris		 Hi Roger,

First of all - what does this have to do with the presidential election?

Well - after considering your problem for 3 seconds, I have the following advice to offer.

I think you should get "real" about what's going on here. Your Dad is on Ashley Madison, man. Assuming you don't know Ashley Madison, I'll fill you in. Ashley Madison is not hotel lady's name. It's a website.

http://www.ashleymadison.com/

Married people get on this site, and hook up with other people.

I guess the question is what are your parents doing for the wedding anniversary? Outback Steakhouse again? What are you going to get them? Oh I know. Nothing.

I'd write your Dad an email and let him know - as sensitively as you can - that you know about his Hojo rendez-vous and that you need some money. I can guarantee you that the likelihood of receiving a monetary gift from Pops will be high. Make this work for you in some way. This is a way better option than breaking the news to your Mom, and watching your Dad walk on eggshells around you could be priceless.


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