DR. WALLACE: Last night I smoked marijuana for the very first time. While I was high I went to a department store with my friend who was also high and we got busted for trying to steal two jackets. Since we are only 15, we were not arrested, but our parents were called, and I got into big trouble!

Should I tell my parents that the reason I tried to steal the jacket was that I was high on pot? Of course, I wouldn't have ever dreamed of swiping anything if I hadn't smoked pot. Do you think my parents would show me mercy if they knew the truth, or do you feel that telling them the complete truth would only compound my problem? — Nameless, Nashua, N.H.

NAMELESS: Smoking pot is unwise, and can be blamed for many things, but not causing you to shoplift. You did that because you wanted to, not because you smoked a marijuana cigarette.

BOYS LIKE TO SIT ACROSS FROM FRIENDS

DR. WALLACE: Is it true that boys don't like to sit next to their girlfriends and would rather sit away from them? If so, what's the reason? My boyfriend rarely sits next to me unless he has no choice, like at a movie or a football game. When it comes to restaurants, he always sits across from me. When I ask him why, he always says that he wants to look into my "beautiful brown eyes." I doubt that's the reason because he is not the romantic type. — Laura, Waco, Tex.

LAURA: Dr. Morton Goldman, a psychologist, says females traditionally enjoy having close friends sit beside them while males would rather sit across from their friends. Goldman came to this conclusion while conducting a study on this subject. He got the results, but he didn't determine why this difference occurs.

BEST TIMES TO WASH YOUR HANDS

DR. WALLACE: You said that washing one's hands is a great way to avoid colds and other infections. Please enlighten me on when I should always wash my hands. It seems like I always have a cough and a runny nose. This is flu season and I want to be safe. — Amy, Rye, N.Y.

AMY: Hand washing is a great way of avoiding colds and other infections, but thorough hand washing isn't simple.

According to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, soaped hands must be rubbed vigorously for at least 10 seconds to suspend the microorganisms (germs) before rinsing them away. Warm water is best. Hot water could damage the skin. Germs tend to accumulate around cuticles, beneath fingernails, and in the creases of hands, so concentrate on these areas. It is virtually impossible to keep hands germ-free, but there are times when it is critical to always wash hands:

1. Before you handle or eat food

2. After you visit the bathroom

3. After handling uncooked food (especially all types of meat)

4. After handling money (if you are fortunate enough to have any)

5. After blowing your nose, sneezing, or coughing into your hand

6. After playing with a pet

7. After handling garbage

Germs accumulate on hands as you perform daily activities. By not washing hands you can acquire a host of ailments, from the common cold to more serious diseases such as dysentery (intestinal infection) or hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). Most cases of diarrhea and vomiting are caused by inadequate hand washing. Overall, infections claim more lives than any other disease except heart diseases and cancer.

Pneumonia and flu are the sixth leading causes of death in the United States.

Americans and Canadians annually spend more than $20 billion to fight infections that could be prevented by a few cents' worth of soap!

HOW IMPORTANT ARE HIGH SCHOOL GRADES?

DR. WALLACE: What's more important, getting all B's in school and having a part-time job earning money toward college, or getting three A's and three B's and foregoing the part-time job, which I now have? It's providing me with good basic work skills and teaching me to be a responsible human being. — Linda, Ames, Iowa.

LINDA: It's more important to earn the best possible grades. I'd change my opinion only if the money you earn were necessary for you to attend college. Some students can work part-time and maintain good grades. For them, working part-time can be a positive experience.

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. E-mail 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.