Fun-Sized Advice

On fun-sized advice

So is Beyonce black or white?
Beyonce is gold.

How important is money?
Wealth is important. Money is just paper.

What do you think of Sheryl Sandberg and her ‘Lean In’ book?
I think it’s the literary equivalent of vanilla scented hand sanitizer, but hey, kudos to Sheryl for squeezing $24.95 out of everyone who owns a pant suit.

Do you believe if you work hard enough, you’ll get where you need to be?
Of course not. Work hard, sure, but there are no guarantees in this life. Wherever you end up, it’s definitely not going to be what you expect.

Why can’t my mom just be happy for me?
Because there’s nothing in it for her.

How long is too long to hold a grudge before it starts to become pathetic?
Eleven minutes.

What do you do if you have no inner strength?
Find external sources of strength and exploit them.

Why do I always fall for guys that I barely know?
Because they’re a blank slate onto which you can project your fantasies.

I just want to date myself. Or at least someone very similar to me. I know it’s narcissistic, but is it wrong?
You only think you want to date yourself because you’re blind to the fact that you’re insufferable. (I promise, you wouldn’t put up with your own bullshit.) What you really want is to date someone who allows you to be yourself, despite the fact that you’re an asshole. Good luck.

how do i know if my poetry is any good? will you read it?
Nobody wants to read your shitty poetry.

You are one of the nastiest and most judgemental people I have ever come across on the web.
You live a small and sheltered life.

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Fun-Sized Advice

On fun-sized advice

What’s the best way to embrace becoming newly single?
A brief period of self-assessment that doesn’t become self-absorption.

What is a socially acceptable amount of people to sleep with before you get married?
You know what’s socially unacceptable? A preoccupation with how many sexual partners you or anyone else might have had.

How the fuck do people keep their living spaces clean? I’m a functioning adult in every other way but goddamn being neat eludes me.
Try Unfuck Your Habitat. It’s like a tumblr support group for people like you.


When does youth end and middle age begin?

In our capitalist consumer-driven culture, it’s when you’re no longer targeted by advertisers trying to reach the 18-34 demographic.

Cynicism is damaging my mental and physical health. What can I do?
Quit internalizing all the negativity. Recognize that you’re not in control of how other people behave, and just let some shit go.

He says that he’s punching above his weight and that I’m slumming it. Can this relationship work?
It can, but it won’t. (You’ll eventually lose respect for him.)

Why does sex always complicate things?
Because you let it.

How do you know you’re going in the right direction?
You don’t.

Well… how do you fill the existential void then?
You don’t.

This isn’t meant to be sarcastic or mean-spirited whatsoever, but why should we take advice from you?
Exactly!

I just realized you don’t know shit, because no one does, and it was very liberating.
You get a cookie.

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Fun-Sized Advice

On fun-sized advice

I emotionally manipulate people. Say the words to make me stop.
Expecto Patronum

Do you believe in the antichrist?
Bitch, please.

I’m about to get “WWCTD” tattooed right on the front of my right wrist. As in, I’m at the tattoo parlor right now. I just thought I would let you know that you are literally someone I consider a close friend.
Send me pics!

How does one deal with post-ecstasy depression?
5-HTP supplements and enough presence of mind to know that the funk will lift in a couple days.

If he’s the right guy but it’s the wrong time, is he the wrong guy?
He’s just a guy. The rest of it is all silly bullshit.

What is the best way to build confidence?
Experience.

Why does everyone piss me off so much?
You’re just angry at yourself, and you’re projecting that anger onto others.

How can I stay sane while dating a much younger guy? He is 20s, I am 40s. It’s hot but fraught.
Quit trying to date. Just fuck. Don’t make it something it’s not. Also — and this is for your own good — don’t ever again use the phrase “hot but fraught.”

Is it true that you either have it or you don’t?
Are you talking about talent, or are you talking about herpes?

I’ve just come out of what has hands down been the worst experience of my life. I will never complain about depression again. Over the past few months I’ve done some solid reckoning with the abyss, and I’m proud to say I see what you fucking mean. It is good just to be alive.
Fuck yeah, it is.

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Fun-Sized Advice

On fun-sized advice

Why do people get stuck in adolescence? It’s shit.
Yeah, but it’s shit without any accountability.

Are you still a virgin if you use a vibrator?
You’re still a virgin if you have to ask this question.

Why do I always feel bad about myself after I hook up with people at parties?
You were taught to be ashamed of your sexuality. Plus, you do stupid shit when you get fucked up.

Which Hitchens book should I gift an idealistic, twenty-something divorce lawyer?
Letters to a Young Contrarian

Why does Will Smith never age?
Black don’t crack. Everyone knows this.

Do you think world peace is possible?
Not at our current stage of sociocultural evolution.


Dying to know: What do you think about the HBO show Girls?

It does not get to have one of my opinions.

you’re such a cunt. I bet you’re fat and unlovable
Well, now I know your two greatest fears.

Why does everyone assume you’re a famous person?
Everyone doesn’t, but the ones who do tend to think that the only reason a person wouldn’t want fame is because they already have it.

Have you ever wanted kids? You’d be a good parent.
The thought of squeezing tiny humans out of my vagina truly horrifies me.


Where do I go as an atheist to confess? You’re the closest thing to a secular priest around here…

Confess to me if you like, but I can’t grant absolution. No one can do that for you but yourself.

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Fun-Sized Advice

On fun-sized advice

I wear plaid shirts, and have been ever since I learned to dress myself. Does this make me an asshole?
It’s not the shirts.

My girlfriend of 3 years fell out of love with me and wouldn’t even grant me one last goodbye fuck. She’s a prick, right?
Nope. You are.

What’s your myers briggs type?
BAMF

How do you pronounce your name?
With a capital C.


How did you do it? How did you get out of podunk?

I drove.


I know you’re not religious, and this question isn’t meant to be taken in any other way except as in a dinner party type conversation… What would you sell your soul to the devil for?

A better soul.

How would you define masculinity? What does a man act like, versus, say, an overgrown fratboy?
You’re confusing masculinity for maturity. The two have very little in common.

Is hooking up the only way to start a relationship?
Nope. It’s not even a very good one.

At what age do you kinda need to get your shit together?
The sooner the better.

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Fun-Sized Advice

On fun-sized advice

Dear Coquette,

What’s the best way to deal with disappointment?
Learn from it, and then let it go.


How do women deal with men when they are all misogynistic tools?

Overgeneralization and disrespect probably aren’t good places to start.


I try to make my life out like it’s tragic but really it’s just pointless, and that’s a hundred times worse.

Tragic is infinitely worse than pointless. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just a drama queen with no sense of scale.


Are you afraid of anything?

Agressive ignorance and undercooked chicken.


Is it wise to rekindle a once co-dependent relationship now that we’ve had some time apart and know what to avoid?

Asking this question proves you don’t know what to avoid.


I have sociopathic tendencies. How do I change?

Pretend you’re a good person.


Is there any other way to live life besides going to school and then working until you die?

Yes.


What advice would you give about what is important when traveling abroad?

Make it about people, not places. If you visit a country without getting to know some locals, then you haven’t actually been there.


Do you agree that guys should pay (at least) half the bill when a girl has to purchase Plan B or an abortion? If so, how does one go about asking him for that?

You shouldn’t have to ask. Just tell him what you’re having to do, and the guy should volunteer to pay. If he doesn’t, you should never speak to him again.


How the hell is it possible for recent grads to find jobs when “entry level” requires three years of experience?

Entry level at a particular company doesn’t mean entry level in your field, but hey, if there’s a job you want and you think you’re qualified, quit whining and hustle.


How big is big enough?

You know when it’s too big? Yeah. A little smaller than that.


I’m lonely a lot although I have lots of friends and family around me all the time. How does this make sense?

Separate the idea of loneliness from the idea of being alone. You feel loneliness because you’re disconnected from others, and as long as you’re disconnected, being in their physical presence won’t change anything.


How can someone have low self-esteem and an enormous ego at the same time?

It’s easy. You don’t have to like yourself to think you’re the center of the world.

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Fun-Sized Advice

On fun-sized advice

Dear Coquette,

Is it wrong to get food stamps if I’m legally qualified but don’t really need them to survive?
It’s your dignity. Do what you want with it.


Does being lazy make me a bad person?

No. It makes you a bad employee.


How do I stay motivated in college?

Pay for it yourself.


Does Ann Coulter really believe the things she preaches or does she do it for the money?

There’s no excuse for either.


I’m 22. Is a 39-year-old man too old for me?

A 39-year-old man is definitely too old for you, but a 39-year-old boy might be just the right age.


Why are you so angry?

I’m not angry. I’m just paying attention.


I feel like I deserve more in my relationship.

More what? Love? Sex? Bacon? Please be more specific.


Is it natural for there to be a minor ebb and flow of feeling for a romantic partner?

You’re lucky if it’s only minor.


What’s the best way to help your friend fall out of love with you?

Shut up and get the hell out of the way.


How do you tell the difference between friend-love and romantic-love?

Passion. (Not to be confused with sex.)


I know this is cheap but I’m a little hungover and I just realized I gave away my lighter while high and I want it back. Is it rude to ask for it? Should I just get a new one?

You wouldn’t last very long in prison. Just sayin’.


Can you explain the psychosis of people who constantly need to upload pictures of themselves onto the internet?

Psychosis? That kind of thing isn’t even abnormal. Sorry, dude. The line between public and private is permanently blurred, and technology will always be tied to our egos. If you don’t like it, feel free to delete your Facebook account.


What does it mean when a guy chases you for weeks or months, then tells you he’s “not ready for a relationship” once you start to date?

It doesn’t mean anything. That’s kind of the point.


It’ll all be okay, right?

Nope. It’ll just be.

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Fun-Sized Advice

On fun-sized advice

Is it normal for a person to keep a detailed record of every single person they ever hooked up with? With pictures and attractiveness ratings.
No. No, no, no. Nooo.


How do you deal with a relationship that has ended but the person just throws shit at you because their perception is that you abandoned them?

If you still have to deal with the relationship, then it hasn’t really ended, now has it?


What are your thoughts on the phrase: “Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?”

It’s a tired cliché referencing antiquated and irrelevant notions of virginity and marriage. You can safely ignore anyone who mumbles that kind of stupidity.


What do you do when you realize you have become what you fear most?

Either embrace what you’ve become or change.


Changing my relationship status on Facebook after a breakup feels stupid and insignificant, but it also somehow feels necessary for closure… I can’t figure out why.

Your Facebook profile is an expression of your public identity, and while publishing your relationship status is inherently stupid and insignificant, it doesn’t change the fact that making the breakup public also makes it official. Thus, you feel a sense of closure.


What does it take to have a woman like you, if only for a little while?

I’m not a possession, dude. No one gets to have me.


Why do women hate other women?

It’s one of the ugly side effects of the patriarchy.


My girl thinks her intense, sometimes needy love for me is getting in the way of her sexual desire for me. Do people have trouble fucking the ones that they love? Is that a thing?

It’s not a healthy thing, but yeah, it’s a thing. The two of you need to spend some time openly communicating about this. You’ve got to get to the root cause of this issue, or it’s bound to end in disaster.


How do I tell the girl I like that I’m interested in her without being awkward?

What’s your reason for telling her that you’re interested? Are you trying to date her? Fuck her? What are your intentions? Has she done anything to lead you to believe that she might have feelings for you too? Hell, is she even available? If you don’t have clear and immediate answers to all of these questions, there’s no hope of you not making it awkward.


How do I know if my girlfriend loves me?

Dude, she’ll tell you with her actions and her words exactly how she feels about you. If you’re not paying attention to what she’s telling you, that’s a minor communication issue you can fix by being present in the relationship. If you don’t believe what she’s telling you, that’s a major trust issue you need to address or it will ruin everything.


I’m caucasian and attracted to a brilliant, attractive Asian woman. There’s long-term potential, but when I think about having kids, everything stops; I want kids that look about half like me. Is this some strain of racism? Pride? If not, what the hell is it? And how do I overcome it? Thanks.

Your kids will still look like you, dipshit. That’s how it works. And yeah, for the record, your reaction is good old fashioned racism with a little dash of narcissism thrown in for good measure. Overcome it by pulling your head out of your ass.


(Check out my latest fun-sized advice over at Playboy, and fellas, feel free to send me your questions at dearcoquette@playboy.com.)

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Fun-Sized Advice

On fun-sized advice

Would you hate fuck Paul Ryan?
Hell. Fucking. No. (Thanks for making my skin crawl, though.)


I’ve got a Tarantino party coming up, I was thinking of going as Pregnant Bride from Kill Bill but though you might have a better suggestion? (Mia Wallace is already taken)

Alabama Whitman. First choice. Only choice.


My friend told me that I didn’t like the taste of my boyfriend’s cum because I don’t love him.

Oh really? Is that why she like the taste of her dad’s cum?


Romney is up in the polls? Please tell me this isn’t some slow motion nightmare coming true!

I like to think of it as Obama’s master plan to scare the Democratic base into showing up on election day.


You baby killer advocates live in the now. The mother who murders her defenseless child lives with that guilt forever. Adoption is the solution, not murder.

I definitely live in the now, and you live in the fucking stone age. A nonviable fetus isn’t a baby, you bible-thumping simpleton.


What did you want to be when you were younger?

Awesome.

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Fun-Sized Advice

On fun-sized advice

Every time I come to your site and there’s nothing new, I feel like crying a little bit.
Dry your fucking tears.


What is your definition of middlebrow sentimentality?

The holiday edition of the SkyMall catalog.


Is it morally sound to give sexual favors (BJs, etc) at the urging of your boss in return for a raise or other work-related incentives?

I suppose it’s fine if you want to be a prostitute, but you’re a fool to take anything other than cash up front.


God, I just want love, but I’m not ready to give it.

There is no god, you whiny little bitch.


What type of masters degree should I get if I want to work in the entertainment industry?

Save your fucking money and go get a gig in an agency mailroom.


How do you handle staying above the superficial culture of LA? It seems like it could really fuck with a person’s mind.

The superficial culture of LA is a modern myth. That’s not to say it doesn’t exist. Hell, myths can be deadly, and Los Angeles can definitely fuck with a person’s mind. The trick to staying above it all is to treat it like any other myth: recognize it, respect its origins, but never actually believe in it.


What’s your opinion of Cat Marnell and all the attention she’s been getting?

My opinion of Cat is one of guarded optimism. She’s obviously a hustler with a damn good publicist, which is fine if she eventually writes an opus worthy of her persona. We’ll see if her work lives up to all the hype.


I just found out that I fell in love with a guy who has been using the Straussian PUA techniques on me for the last six months. WWCD?

That book came out seven fucking years ago. If you couldn’t see that simple shit coming a mile away, you deserve exactly what you got.


What are you going to be for halloween?

I don’t have the slightest clue. Honestly, I’m still having trouble dealing with the fact that it’s October. (Where the fuck did this year go?)

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