DR. WALLACE: You give a lot of advice, but I'm sure that, being human, you sometimes make mistakes. Do you ever admit you were wrong and offer a better solution to a teen's problem? — Lulu, South Bend, Ind.

LULU: I'll be the first to admit I make mistakes. Sometimes my response to a teen is incomplete. Sometimes I'm just flat-out wrong. When my advice is for the birds, I don't hesitate to correct it in a future column.

For instance, I have reconsidered the advice I gave to Desiree about acting on the crush she has on her class president. I told her not to ask him out, and many readers weren't shy about telling me I blew it. On reflection, I agreed with them.

Here are the particulars:

Desiree, of Burlington, Iowa, wrote that she was considered a nerd by her family. She was "skinny and flat-chested," had an acne problem, and wore thick glasses. She said she had a crush on the student body president (who also happens to be an excellent athlete) ever since they were in eighth grade together. Both are now seniors.

This boy recently broke up with his girlfriend and was now "fair game." Desiree, who has never gone out on a date, wanted to ask him out to a movie, and asked my opinion. I told her not to ask him out because there was a high possibility she'd be turned down, and I was fearful the rejection would be extremely discouraging for her.

I should have said: "Yes, pursue this guy with gusto! Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Your family may consider you to be a nerd, but you are a beautiful human being."

Now let me share a few excerpts from the many letters from readers who advised me to change my answer:

—You certainly place outer beauty on a pedestal. Isn't inner beauty more important? Personally, I would much rather date a guy with a great personality than a guy with good looks. — K.C., Columbus, Ohio.

—Teenage girls need support. Sometimes, they feel they are nerdy when, in fact, they are not. — J.K., San Rafael, Calif.

—Tell Desiree that if she checks the latest fashion magazine, the flat-chested look is in — a new hairstyle and a few new clothes could give her confidence and make her pretty. — R.W., Colorado Springs, Colo.

—I'm considered a "plain Jane" and my husband is the most handsome man in all of Texas, and we've got lots of good-looking guys down here. — T.M., San Antonio, Tex .

—This girl needed a boost, not a slam. Who is the person who determines what beauty is? — R.S., Galesburg, Ill.

—I hope you read "Beauty and the Beast." —C.P., Klamath Falls, Ore.

—I'm fat and ugly and I've got more hair on my legs than most men, but people tell me that I'm a beautiful human being. —A.B., Florence, Ala.

—I am considered a very good-looking Chinese boy. My girlfriend is a wonderful, thoughtful, sweet and kind Korean girl who is not considered attractive and I love her very much! — C.C., Vancouver, Wash.

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 rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. 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.