HI, EVERYBODY!
Many thanks for the complimentary things you've written about the column in your letters to men. I'm very happy you find it helpful. So now, on to some interesting new questions!
Dear Piper;
I am 17, a senior in high school and I'm stumped by this: why don't boys have respect for girls nowaday. I used to be reasonably popular but just because I don't drink, smoke or like to be petted and pawed over I find myself staying home. Is having good clean fun on a date too much to ask? around here the boys seem to think so. I'd rather stay home than go out with them! I've talked to my parents about it and they don't know what to think. Can you suggest something? D.H., Charleston, W. Va.
Stick to your standards and ideals! This may seem to spoil some fun now but later on you'll be glad you did. However, there really are boys who have ideals, just as there are girls with them. Soon you'll be graduating and will have the opportunity to make new friends, either in business or college. In choosing them, I'd suggest you try to find girls with your standards and young men who admire and respect you for them. One question pops into my mind: I have no way of knowing, of course, but is it possible that you're just a bit too "vocal" about your ideals? You can stick to them without talking about them all the time. Boys don't want to listen to a lecture when they take you out. I know lost of girls with the highest morals and ideals who are very popular. You can be, too!

Dear Piper:
I was so glad to see in your column that you read so much. I do, too. I read five or six books a week; I love mysteries. I also see many movies, as many as four a week. One of my friends says movies hurt your eyes. I try not to argue because I have a quick temper. I am 11 years old. What do you think?
G.Mc, Beaufort. S.C.
If you read and go to the movies so much, how do you find find time to study and get fresh air and exerciese? There's a happy medium you know, for a girl your age. Reading is wonderful, but i think you might do well to cut down on those mysteries and start on more worth-while books. Ask your teacher for a list of suggested reading. Eminent eye doctors have said movies do not hurt your eyes, but that you must always have good light when you read. As for quick temper, do try to curb it. Losing it becomes a habit, easier every time you indulge.

Dear Piper:
I am 22, 5'6", have blue eyes and brown hair. I've been in the Air Force two years and like it very much. I like girls, they seem to be nice to me but when I ask them to go out it seems they change their tune. I was writing to a girl when I was overseas but now that I'm back she won't go out with me, although in her letters she said she would. do you think if a young man my age hasn't a girl friend he should worry? Do you think if I get out of the service it would help me get a girl friend? R.H., Washington, D.C.

I don't believe you should worry, especially not about the girl who changed her mind. If happens, you know! Perhaps she has fallen in love with someone else. And I don't think your being in service has anything to do with finding a girl friend, either. There are so many single girls around Washington that I'm sure you can find some you'd like and who would like you. Have you ever analyzed the type you try to date? Are they interested in the same things you are? If you like to go bowling, there's no sense in dating a Great Brain, who wants to discuss philosophy- or vice versa! Also, since you're not a six-footer, have you been trying to date very tall girls? It's true, you know, that girls like to date men taller than they are. Better try to date short girls. There are lots of them!

Dear Piper:
I am a housewife, 20 years old, have three small children, the oldest, three: I am very happy but all my life I've wanted to act in movies. My family always though it was silly. I read all the movie magazines and see many movies, then sometimes act them out for days. I don't have any experience in acting, but feel sure I could do it. I know acting isn't easy, that you have to work hard to make the grade. And I've read many times that going to Hollywood is not the thing to do. I didn't finish high school and know know I should have, but I don't think that is a handicap. I fell if I had a little experience in acting I could get a start. What is your advice? R.V., Hobbs, N.M.

You say you are happy with your family. Then don't you think you owe it to them to concentrate more on the real, wonderful life you have ahead of you instead of day-dreaming about Hollywood? Almost every girl thinks, when she's young, that she can be an actress. You're still young, but you have husband and three children to consider. And you have no training or experience. Under these circumstances I cannot with any honesty hold out much hope for you in the movies. If you can arrange it, wouldn't it be far wiser to take adult evening classes to finish your high school work, or other courses which interest you? The better your education, the more you can offer your children. And if you are sincerely interested in acting- not just the dream of being a movie star- why don't you try local plays, at church or a community center? But your primary concern should still be your family. You can find happiness if you aproach this sensibly and try to make acting a hobby rather than a profession.

Dear Piper:
Your column makes me feel like you come right into my home and pay me a visit. Keep it up! Can you help me on my problem? I'm an 18 year-old girl and have a happy home life. I'm a music lover. I like everything from Bach to Basie. I collect records, play piano, saxophone, clarinet and also sing. But I'm too shy and self conscious. Mom has told me I could have lot more friends and closer ones if I'd accept their friendship and even invited them home- but I don't. The friends I have are very close because they understand me. But how can I make new ones and lose my self-consciousness? L.W., Glendora, Cal.

Every mail seems to bring me letters similar to yours. I've answered this before but since it's so common, I'll try again. It seems to me that to make friends you have to give about 70 percent and expect to receive about 30 percent. You say your close friends "understand" you. That means they are giving you their 70 percent. But are you doing the same in return? If you take your mother's advice and accept them you'll be part way to your goal, but beyond accepting, you must make an effort, make people feel you are interested in them. If you keep worrying about how they feel about you, you are being selfish! You must contribute your share of conversation, gaiety, friendliness. You cannot sit back and wait for these things to be given to you. Do invite people to your home! I feel you have overlooked one very important factor in your favor. With your musical talent you have a wonderful opportunity to make friends. Have "musical evenings" at your home- or you could even start a small orchestra. Find other music lovers and cultivate them as friends. Above all, stop worrying about yourself. Start thinking about other people. And see how fas you can make friends.

Dear Piper:
Do You think I'd ever be lucky enough to meet Rock Hudson personally? It seems I just live for the day I'll meet him. I even picture me dating him and dream about it. I know this sounds silly for I have passed the teen-age swoon days; I am 23. Could you help me to meet him? I'm serious. I realize how crazy this may sound to you but I am perfectly sane. L.E., Columbis, S.C.

When I first read your letter I thought it was a gag. Then I read it a few more times- I had to cut if for space reason0 and realized you are really serious! My answer to you is: grow up! You may be 23 but you are acting like a teen-ager. I wouldn't be so blunt if I didn't honestly believe you are doing yourself a disfavor if you continue your day dreams. Rock is a charming young man- but you're 3,000 miles away; even if you were here chances of meeting and dating him or some other movie star would be about a million to one. If you continue to moon over him, you will consciously or unconsciously compare the men you know with him. That's not fair to them- or to you, for you'll be short-circuiting your chances of happiness. If you want to have happiness, start looking for the fine qualities in the men you do know and so date!

Dear Piper:
My problem is my daughter. She's eleven. She and I live alone. Her face is broken out, because of her age, but she doesn't even care if she washes it. She doesn't care to brush her teeth or take care of her hair. But honestly, she is otherwise a pretty child. She has a very pretty teacher and I thought she might copy her. She did for a couple of weeks but then fell back into her old careless ways again. She says I nag her. She is a lazy child and expects me to do everything after I have worked all day. She admires you very much. What can I do for her? R.W., Grand Island, Neb.

I unddrstand that adolescent boys often go through this stage of rebelling at cleanliness; it's more unusual for a pretty little girl to let herself get into such bad habits. You might tell your daughter that the first advice given to girls in movies- by everyone from the make-up artist to the hairdresser and dress stylist- is cleanliness. Your daughter's skin, teeth and hair cannot be attractive later- when she will appreciate them- if she neglects them now. For adolescent acne she should wash her face at least twice a day with bland soap and water. And teeth should be brushed at least twice a day. If you think she cares, you might tell her I really love to brush my teeth; I love the clean after-taste. I like to brush them after each meal every other day; when I'm in a picture, I do it every day. She should certainly shampoo hers once a week! As for her being lazy. I feel you should give her certain definite chores to do, out of fairness to both of you. She'll be very unhappy if she doesn't learn self-discipline.
I'm surprised- and flattered too- that so many of you asked me to tell you things about Piper Laurie. My thanks to Jeanne Robinson, Preston, Idaho; Ruth Risse, St. Paul, Minn.; Iva West, Chicago; Marcia Eastes, Inslip, Mo.; Dorothy Montgomery, Wichita, Kan. and many others for your kindness. Here are answers to some of your questions.
I was born in Detroit on January 22, 1932. My family moved to Los Angeles when I was 7. During World War II my sister Sherrye and I did a singing act for many USO shows. (Now I finally have a chance to sing on the screen in "Ain't Misbehavin'." By the time I was n High school. I knew I wanted to act and started studying drama with Betomi Schneider, one of the best teachers out here. I had screen tests before the one at Universal-International, where I was signed five years ago. I live with my parents in a house which is 'modest' according to Hollywood standards. I still see some of my old high school friends. I love to go to the movies. I like parties, but prefer small ones. When I'm home in the evening I like to read or watch TV. My choice in clothes is conservative, I think. For comfort at home or a resort I like slacks or pedal pushers, but not for street wear in town. I love "separates". And when I marry, I expect it to be for keeps,", so I'm not rushing! (Great Expectations)
Thanks again. Keep healthy and happy! PIPER LAURIE