DR. WALLACE: My girlfriends and I have prepared a list of five rules for guys who are dating or planning to date today's teen girls. We hope this helps all types of guys, from the shy boys to the macho ones. When these rules are followed, it benefits the girls, too. So, boys:

Do look beyond the "popular pool" for people to date. A date is a way to have fun and to get to know someone a little better; it's not a marriage contract. Don't be afraid to ask out shy people or people outside your circle of friends.

Do remember that members of the opposite sex are people, too. They are not from an alien species. They want to feel comfortable and be treated with kindness and respect, just like you. When you're wondering how to act on a date, a good rule of thumb is: How would I feel about that?

Do act naturally. Guys don't have to put on a macho act, curse or talk tough any more than girls have to flutter their eyelashes. Being yourself is much more fun than trying to become a stereotype.

Do be prepared to pay for everything if you initiated the date, but if your date offers to pay for popcorn or ice cream, ask, "Are you sure?" and then agree to the payment with the proper tone and appreciation.

Don't be insensitive to your date's signals about touching. It's always wrong to try to force yourself, either by word or touch, on another person. — Girl Group, via email

GIRL GROUP: Your advice is well thought out and right on the mark. I'm pleased to publish the "rules" and thoughts your girl group has outlined here in our column. And now, to be fair, I'd like to encourage a group of teen boys to also submit their list of "rules" and thoughts about teen dating in today's fast-evolving world.

YOUR GRANDMOTHER IS BASICALLY CORRECT

DR. WALLACE: I am very weight-conscious and want to maintain my present weight of 115 pounds. I used to weigh almost 130 pounds, so I have trimmed down a bit over the past year. I eat mostly nutritious food, but I also count calories since I indulge in a few extra snacks here and there. My grandmother said that lettuce and celery are foods that have "minus" calories. Is that true? Actually, I don't see how it could be. All foods have calories, so she's likely off her rocker or off her meds, right? — Into Nutrition, via email

INTO NUTRITION: Certain vegetables, such as celery, spinach, lettuce and cucumbers, are indeed very low in calories, and it just might be possible that you may burn up more calories just chewing and digesting these high-water content vegetables than they actually contain. Yes, I know "negative" is a bit of a stretch, but it actually is not too far off.

So, your wise old grandmother is basically correct with her comment, even though she's not being extremely precise as to the number of calories involved. But that's not unusual. Grandmothers are correct most of the time, so let's give yours a thumb's up on her comment to you. I'd say she's solidly on her rocker and has her meds fully under control!

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.

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