DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and so is the girl I'm dating. We've been dating for seven months and really care for each other. We both have strong religious convictions and abstain from alcohol, drugs, tobacco and premarital sex. Much of our time is spent going to school activities and movies. When we don't go out, we spend time at her house listening to music or baking cookies.

The thing that concerns me is that her parents don't seem to be very friendly. They rarely talk to me when I'm in their house and when I leave, they never say goodbye. I'm starting to think they don't like me. I've talked to my girlfriend about this, and she told me I'm super sensitive and shouldn't worry. But when we go to my house, my parents are very friendly toward my girlfriend. They make her feel welcome and comfortable.

I'm thinking of having a private talk with her parents to find out what the problem might be. Should I do it without telling my girlfriend or should I tell her before I talk with her parents? Also, should I include my girlfriend in this meeting? —Ken, Frederick, Md.

KEN: Forget about having any kind of meeting with the parents with or without your girlfriend. Their style may be different from your parents', but they approve of you. If they didn't, they wouldn't allow you to spend time in their house with their daughter. Just continue being patient and polite; I'm sure you'll notice them thaw as they grow used to you. You have no need to worry.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT YOUR FRIEND'S GRADE

DR. WALLACE: Our Spanish teacher is about 25, very cute and all the girls in the class go gaga over him. I was born in Mexico and can speak, understand, read and write Spanish very well. I also have a high IQ and have no problem getting an A in the class. I got my A the old-fashioned way — I earned it.

My best friend is a B student in reality, but she is also getting an A because she fawns all over him. Don't get me wrong. The teacher is doing nothing to encourage these girls to talk with him after class. He is married and has twin daughters. That still doesn't stop my friend from buttering him up. I'm mad as heck and don't know what to do. Can you help me? —Angela, Santa Ana, Calif.

ANGELA: Don't concern yourself with the grades of other students. Continue doing your best in all your subjects and you will be the winner. A grade is no more than the teacher's subjective evaluation. Far more important is the knowledge the student gains in the class.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.