DR. WALLACE: My boyfriend gave me an expensive pair of sunglasses for my birthday. My good friend told me he stole the sunglasses from a department store. When I asked my boyfriend about this, he admitted he swiped them, explaining he didn't have the money to pay for them but knew I really wanted them.

Now what do I do with them? Should I keep them, throw them away or give them back to my boyfriend? My girlfriend thinks I should keep them. She thinks it's sweet that he stole them just for me. It's almost like being a Robin Hood.

Please give me your advice. I love the sunglasses, but I feel guilty now whenever I wear them. — Confused, Las Vegas, Nev.

CONFUSED: Your boyfriend is not a Robin Hood, but a shoplifter and a criminal. Your girlfriend has a warped sense of values. Find out where your boyfriend stole the sunglasses and mail them back to the department store with a note explaining that someone stole them to give to you as a birthday gift.

My next bit of advice for you is to unload your boyfriend unless he can positively convince you that his shoplifting days are over.

I SHOULD ENJOY MY ROOM, NOT DESPISE IT

DR. WALLACE: I would like your thoughts. I've got to keep my room tidy (all things in their places) and spotless at all times. If not, I'm put on restriction. I don't think this is fair. It's my room and I should be able to enjoy it, not despise it. — Sad, Kansas City, Kan.

SAD: Your parents are the ones who set the rules for you and what I say won't change that. But since you asked for my thoughts, I'll reply.

I feel a teen's room should be allowed to reflect his or her personality. Of course, the room should be generally neat, but not at every moment. A compromise would be a weekly inspection every Saturday at noon. If the room passes, praise should be forthcoming. If the room fails, restriction is warranted.

WOULD I BE LYING IF I SAID NO?

DR. WALLACE: I have promised my mom that I would never tell her a lie. About two weeks ago, my best friend and I were at her house when her parents weren't home. We decided to open a can of beer and try it since we had never tasted alcohol before. Besides, beer looks like it would taste good judging from what it looks like in television commercials.

Well, we each had a taste, but the taste was so horrible we didn't take a second sip. We wound up throwing the rest down the sink. I would say that I actually swallowed less than a teaspoon of beer and I don't plan to drink any more beer in the near future.

If my mother asks me if I have ever drunk any alcohol, would I be lying if I said no? — Nameless, Mobile, Ala.

NAMELESS: If asked, why not say, "Don't worry, Mom, alcohol is not for me. A while back I had a very small sip, less than a teaspoon, just to see how it tasted. It tasted awful, and I don't plan to try alcohol again." Of course, Mom will want to know the "who, where, what and when" of the experiment. Tell her the truth and let her know that your friend feels the same as you.

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@galesburg.net. 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.