DR. WALLACE: My family took a wonderful vacation this summer to Europe, which included five great days in Ireland.

While there, I met a friend of some of my family's cousins; he was a nice young guy, and we got along really well. We related well on many levels as he was only a year older than me (I'm 17).

I'm back at school now, and I have an active dating and social life. I've been dating the same guy regularly, and I think we will officially be boyfriend and girlfriend soon.

I just found out from my father that this young man and his family are planning to visit the United States over the Christmas and New Year's holidays this winter and that he will be in our area and wants to see me again.

Since there was a slight romantic spark between the two of us when I was in Europe this summer, I'm guessing that he thinks he may be able to spend a lot of social time with me and even go out on a few dates. But given my present situation, I don't feel this would be appropriate.

How can I diplomatically let him know that he can't take me out on any dates over the holidays this winter? — Don't Want To Send the Wrong Message, via email

DON'T WANT TO SEND THE WRONG MESSAGE: First of all, the time frame you're talking about is approximately three months away, and a lot can change in teen romances in that long.

Yes, you may be in a relationship at that time, but even if that is the case, you can still be a gracious host to your European friend.

The best way to do this would be to arrange to visit the local sites with him and a group of your friends. You could bring some guys and girls with you so that he can talk to everyone and learn a lot about American teen culture and daily life.

You don't know for sure the status of his social life, nor his intentions during his upcoming visit. Control your own actions, and I trust you can be a gracious tour guide.

THEY RIDE ME FOR ATTENDING DRAMA CLASSES

DR. WALLACE: I'm a very good high school football player. I'm a senior and hope to play college football next year.

Football is my No. 1 passion, but I'm also very interested in acting, so I signed up for the drama class.

A few of the guys on my team found out about this, and they've been riding me endlessly about being in an acting class. There are times they'll see me walking down the hall during the school day and I'll hear them yell, "To be or not to be, that is the question."

The first time or two this occurred, I just laughed and carried on without worrying about it. But then they got several more of their friends involved, and now several times a day I'm hearing all kinds of famous quotations yelled at me, many of them well beyond Shakespeare.

What can I do about this? I certainly don't want to start fighting anyone since that could result in a suspension and jeopardize my playing time.

On the other hand, I don't want to feel like a weakling who is being picked on and just takes the harassment day after day after day. What can I do to either get them to stop this or to have something to say back to them? I've even thought about dropping my drama class, but if I do that because of their actions, I'll feel beyond weak. — Getting Really Tired of It, via email

GETTING REALLY TIRED OF IT: Perhaps you can start reading them a list of the famous professional football players who then went on to careers in acting after they completed their playing days. This list includes Jim Brown, Alex Karras, Fred Williamson, Carl Weathers, Fred Dryer, Bubba Smith, Ed Marinaro, Dick Butkus, Joe Namath and dozens more.

Many of these players were Hall of Famers and among the toughest athletes ever to play professional sports.

There is absolutely no shame in acting, and there is no reason to be needled about taking acting classes or being interested in theater. Mention this to your friends, and ask them what, outside of football, they are doing to prepare for their futures. Keep attending your drama class with your head held high and do your best. You never know: You may have both a football and an acting career in your future.

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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