DR. WALLACE: I'm 12 and have been taking violin lessons since I was six. I am now pretty good. I play in a city youth orchestra and have the honor of being first chair. My parents, who were born in Korea, are very proud of me and I like that, but whenever someone comes to visit our house, they insist that I perform for them on my violin.

This really bothers me. It's like they are getting me to show off. Besides, playing solo makes me feel uneasy. I don't really like to be put in this kind of situation. My parents say they're providing me with wonderful experience, but I don't see it that way. How do you see it? — Sue, Seattle, Wash.

SUE: Of course, your parents are proud of you, as well they should be. However, having you perform at home in front of visitors against your wishes is, in my opinion, unwise. I understand it may be hard for parents to resist "showing off" a talented child, but if it makes the child feel uneasy it will eventually take away her pleasure in what she's doing, which would be disastrous. This is called overkill. Often children who are forced to perform on an instrument stop playing it as soon as they have a chance, even if they're good at it. Let us hope this doesn't happen to you!

LIGHTEN UP AND SMILE

DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and dating a special guy. My parents also think he's wonderful. They have a rule that every time I go on a date, the boy has to come into our house for a small chat with them. My parents are very nice. They ask Ken where we're going and what time he'll bring me home (midnight on weekends), but most of the chit-chat centers around current events and sports.

I have a 12-year-old sister who thinks she's a comedian. Whenever Ken is over, she tells him riddles, plays the knock-knock game and tells jokes. I know she is just showing off, but I still don't like it. I've asked my parents to tell her to cool it, but they just laugh and say she's having fun. This bothers me, but it doesn't bother Ken who thinks my sister is cute and always laughs at her jokes. What should I do? — Agitated, Del Rio, Tex.

AGITATED: The main thing is that Ken isn't bothered by your sister's antics. She'd have no right to cause problems between you and him, but since she's not, I think you're blowing a minor matter out of proportion.

Lighten up and smile when your sister is performing. I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I hope you take my advice to heart. In this day and age, we all need to smile and laugh more often!

IT'S BECAUSE MALES WEIGH MORE

DR. WALLACE: Is it true that females get drunk faster than males on the same amount of alcohol? If so, why? — Ingrid, Dyer, Ind.

INGRID: Yes, because males, on average, are larger than females. Simply stated, a 100-pounder who matches a 200-pounder drink-for-drink will become intoxicated twice as fast. The less you weigh, the less alcohol your body can handle. It doesn't matter how tough you are; it only matters how big you are. Of course, if the 200-pounder in this example is the female, she'd be the one left standing at the end of the contest!

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. E-mail 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.