Are agony aunts really necessary?When we have something on our minds, who do we turn to? Do we turn to close family?- Who try and make time for you, and try and listen and form an opinion before you’ve finished – then tell the rest of the family what you have said! Are family members the right people to turn to with something embarrassing or hurtful? Do they understand? Would they let you unburden your troubles without saying “I told you so!” after you’ve finished? I don’t know, and that is the problem that we find when faced with a problem that is bothering us, do we risk it and talk freely and openly knowing that there was a good 99% chance that your ‘little problem’ could become world knowledge? I personally have a theory that telling all between close family members leads to ‘come backs’ later on. At some point the issue will arise again, it has to, that’s the way it works, families have a memory like an elephant where a confidence was been left. It will come back to haunt you!!But…… is the idea of writing or emailing a problem to a complete stranger the way to go? Again, this is a question that can be answered completely individually, some would laugh, joke at the prospect of asking and even worse – paying for advice, some would see you as ooooh ‘billy no mates!’ – “poor old Fred, no one to talk to – aw!”……. some would pity you for prostituting your problems! How should we feel about it? Do we really need the services of agony aunts and uncles?Should we always turn to a friend, a mate who is just dying for a bit of gossip, something really juicy to get their teeth into and their ears twitching? Sitting there, cup of char in hand and desperate for a good old fashioned bit of chat, offering apparently good solid advice that they of course would use themselves! Yea right!!!The day came years ago when I asked a magazine agony uncle for advice, and yes he replied! Amazingly quite quickly too, though looking back I now realise my topic of questioning was rather expected, you know the old ‘mistress’ question, he answered me as I knew he would – get shut! He spoke very honestly and unbiastly to me, which I could accept from a stranger, probably easier than I could have accepted from someone I was close to, as with they, I wonder if they are saying the truth or what I want to hear or even worse, something to get you into more mischief! At least with an agony aunt/uncle one knows they have nothing to gain from their advice, other than maybe a small fee if they charge…..I trust people who give me their assurance they speak from their own experiences, from genuine life trials, and therefore…..in conclusion to my question….Do we really need agony aunts/uncles?……my personal opinion is…… if you are lucky enough to have one true confident, one true honest unbiased shoulder to cry on, hang on to them, tight! As the need for agony aunts are the real deal! We all need a friendly chat, a straight talking opinion, and a solid genuine advice source…. yes agony aunts are necessary!!! http://www.itsworthasking.com

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