DEAR ABBY: About six months ago, I ordered some sexually explicit materials. I am a 23-year-old unmarried woman and I am making no excuses. I was just curious.
Unfortunately, the company I ordered this material from must have given - or sold - my name to some similar companies, because every week I receive catalogs and advertisements from other sexually oriented businesses, and some of them are not very discreetly packaged. Also, I have spent about $20 in postage to return the stuff.These businesses use computerized mailing systems, and either by mistake or design they misspell my name, so instead of getting just one mailing, I get two, and sometimes three and four!
I have written to request that my name be removed from their mailing lists, and guess what? They create yet another way to spell my name.
Have you any suggestions on how to get my name off these mailing lists? I would prefer to keep a low profile, but the mailings are multiplying. What do I do now? - RED-FACED IN JERSEY
DEAR RED-FACED: Fill out Form 2201 at your local post office. The form will be given to your carrier, who will stop delivering the pornographic literature.
Also, contact the Direct Marketing Association, Mail Preference Service, 6 E. 43rd St., New York, NY 10017, and ask that your name be removed from junk mail lists.
P.S. You are not legally responsible for the return of any unsolicited material. If you don't want it, simply throw it away.
DEAR ABBY: Am I a casualty of the sexual revolution? Lately, I'm finding myself less and less physically turned-on by my girlfriend/fiancee. She hasn't gotten fat or anything like that. I think it's because she goes around the house stark naked most of the time.
This occurred to me the other day when we were at a football game, and I found myself turned-on because from where I was sitting I could see part way down another girl's shirt! This girl was not nearly as attractive as my fiancee. It must be true that what you don't see is sexier than what you do see.
I am writing to you because I hope my fiancee will see this. I don't have the guts to say this outright to her because it might hurt her feelings. (Ladies, if this applies to you, don't ask your man if he feels this way - most of us would like to spare your feelings.) - FAITHFUL FROM FLORIDA
DEAR FAITHFUL: You are not a casualty of the sexual revolution. You have only concluded what mothers have been trying to teach their daughters for generations - that a little mystery can be a big turn-on. Somehow, in the '60s, this message was shelved in favor of "let it all hang out." I'm in favor of putting it all back in.
CONFIDENTIAL TO "THE KVETCHER" IN NEWARK: In the immortal words of Ella Wheeler Wilcox: "Talk health. The dreary, never-ending tale of mortal maladies is worn and stale. You cannot charm or interest or please by harping on that minor chord . . . disease. So, say that you are well, and all is well with you. And God will hear your words and make them true."
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Don't put off writing thank-you notes, letters of sympathy, etc., because you don't know what to say. Get Abby's booklet, "How to Write Letters for All Occasions." Send a check or money order for $2.89 ($3.39 in Canada) to: Dear Abby, Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054 (postage is included).