DR. WALLACE: I'm a sophomore in college and I have been dating a guy who also attends this university as well. He's a year older and has been pressing me to be physical even though I'm not comfortable with that at all. We've been dating for seven weeks, and I actually was bold enough to bring up the issue of a possible pregnancy to him as a consequence of what could happen.

His reply? "I only wish I could be so lucky!" He then went on and on for a full half-hour telling me how much he likes kids and how he'd love to be a father right away even though I told him I didn't want to get married to anyone right now. He said he'd always be there and would only fight me for parental rights if I dumped him for another guy! He said that if we remained loosely together without being married but there was no other guy in my life that he'd allow me to set up whatever parietal rights for him that I felt were appropriate. He said a lot more beyond that, but at that point I only remember my mind aching and his mouth still moving even though I had no idea what else he was babbling about.

I was so put off by this whole discussion that I felt like dropping the relationship then and there. However, I kept my true feelings under wraps and simply grunted, "Uh-huh, uh-huh" a lot as he rambled on.

What do I do now? His whole "fatherhood" rambling soliloquy has creeped me out to the point of no return, I'm afraid. — Suddenly Ready To Move On, via email

SUDDENLY READY TO MOVE ON: Follow your gut and your instincts here. His thoughts on fatherhood and what would take place if you were to become pregnant are not only in poor taste; they are way out of line given a seven-week platonic "relationship," if you can call it that.

There are many ways to exit a relationship gracefully, so start thinking about that and start making yourself much less available to spend social time with him, given how rattled and unsettled you found his unwelcome comments to be.

There are times to talk things through and times to simply cut losses and move on. It sounds to me that your situation falls into the latter category.

MY FATHER DISSED EUROPE AND TOLD ME TO VISIT CANADA INSTEAD

DR. WALLACE: I really want to visit Europe for a vacation this summer, but my father told me that he visited four or five countries in Europe back in the 1980s, and all he saw were a bunch of old, smoky pubs and restaurants that had so many people smoking in them that there was a layer of smoke so thick that he often could not see the ceilings in these establishments.

My father has encouraged me to visit Vancouver or Catalina Island off the coast of California if I want to enjoy a "modern" vacation. We live in rural Nebraska, so those places sound fine, but I kind of have my heart set on seeing Europe. I'm 18 and ready to travel the world! I have my own savings as I've been working for two years now while I've been finishing up high school.

Is my dad right about Europe? Is it just an old, tired, smoky string of creaky pubs and outdated restaurants? — Future World Traveler, via email

FUTURE WORLD TRAVELER: Your father is way off base here. He might have indeed had the experience he described to you on his trip there decades ago, but his opinions have likely been formed by his subpar schedule while he was there years ago. Europe has always had some of the greatest architecture in the world and some of the very best museums, summer food festivals and opportunities to travel and see wondrous sights compared to anywhere else on Earth. And modern Europe today continues to more than hold its own as a travel destination.

Vancouver and Catalina both are also nice places to visit and sightsee, but if you have your heart set on Europe, I heartily encourage you to travel there. I've had many opportunities to travel across Europe many times, and I've enjoyed every moment of it. I've seen the Louvre in France and some fantastic cathedrals in Germany, plus some absolutely awesome old castles in Ireland, England and Scotland.

Today's Europe is what you make of it as a traveler, and if you opt to simply spend a week or two in old smoky restaurants, feel free to do so. But if you wish to see some of the greatest art in world history, some of the most beautiful scenery and architecture, there is more available than you could ever see in just a few scant weeks.

Europe will offer you a lifetime of great sightseeing, just as many countries and continents will as well all over the world. Start in Europe as time and finances allow. Try to visit every continent on Earth if you can over your lifetime as each one has some truly special sights to see and wonderful people to meet. Travel is one of life's great joys for many people, and it sounds like you are poised to soon join their ranks.

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.

Photo credit: Ashley Walker at Unsplash