Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Tomato Face
Dear Guidance Guy,
I'm having a lot of problems in school. Recently, we started Dance in P.E., and my teacher keeps picking on me. He made me dance with him in front of the whole class, and it made me very uncomfortable. When I get embarrassed, which I was, my face turns bright red. So that's what happened. IN FRONT OF MY WHOLE P.E. CLASS. Now everyone thinks I have a crush on the teacher, and I'm dreading my next P.E. where I'm sure he'll ask me.
Please help!
Tomato Face
*****
Dear Tomato Face,
I'm going to answer your letter, but first I think it's great that you have enough of a sense of humor to call yourself "Tomato Face."
OK, down to business...how about finding your teacher before class (or after school) and asking if he would choose someone else for his "partner?" If he's a decent guy, I'm sure he would be willing to get another volunteer/victim.
If he refuses and calls on you again, you could always refuse - politely but firmly. Normally I'm the last person in the world who would tell a student to disobey a teacher. But when it comes to things like physical contact (such as wrestling, dancing, etc.) I think a student has a right to respectfully decline. Again, it would be smart to talk with him first, but if you're that uncomfortable then I think you are allowed to not dance with him.
Some religions have rules against dancing or other contact with members of the opposite sex. Some cultures have the same rules. If you're uncomfortable with this contact - crush or no crush - just say no.
Let your parents and principal or guidance counselor know what's going on as well. I'm guessing your P.E. teacher is an OK guy who probably didn't use the best judgement in this situation. He should reconsider making female students dance with him.
Of course, I don’t think the male students would like it much either.
All The Best,
The Guidance Guy
I'm having a lot of problems in school. Recently, we started Dance in P.E., and my teacher keeps picking on me. He made me dance with him in front of the whole class, and it made me very uncomfortable. When I get embarrassed, which I was, my face turns bright red. So that's what happened. IN FRONT OF MY WHOLE P.E. CLASS. Now everyone thinks I have a crush on the teacher, and I'm dreading my next P.E. where I'm sure he'll ask me.
Please help!
Tomato Face
*****
Dear Tomato Face,
I'm going to answer your letter, but first I think it's great that you have enough of a sense of humor to call yourself "Tomato Face."
OK, down to business...how about finding your teacher before class (or after school) and asking if he would choose someone else for his "partner?" If he's a decent guy, I'm sure he would be willing to get another volunteer/victim.
If he refuses and calls on you again, you could always refuse - politely but firmly. Normally I'm the last person in the world who would tell a student to disobey a teacher. But when it comes to things like physical contact (such as wrestling, dancing, etc.) I think a student has a right to respectfully decline. Again, it would be smart to talk with him first, but if you're that uncomfortable then I think you are allowed to not dance with him.
Some religions have rules against dancing or other contact with members of the opposite sex. Some cultures have the same rules. If you're uncomfortable with this contact - crush or no crush - just say no.
Let your parents and principal or guidance counselor know what's going on as well. I'm guessing your P.E. teacher is an OK guy who probably didn't use the best judgement in this situation. He should reconsider making female students dance with him.
Of course, I don’t think the male students would like it much either.
All The Best,
The Guidance Guy
