Have you noticed that when someone is a little different in some way -- whether he be a virgin, non-drinker, or what have you -- others do whatever they can to try to "convert" him so that he can be more like them? This I find rather disturbing. It's very similar to the peer pressure we confronted in grade school to smoke weed and join the "cool club." People become disarmed and unsettled when someone is different in some way because it makes them question some of their own tendencies and decisions. I know various couples who had children at an early age and are always prodding newlyweds to have their own -- despite the pairs making it clear that they wish to enjoy their marriage for a few years and hold off on parenthood. Then there are those who pressure virgins to lose their virginity and non-drinkers to take a swig here and there. Why is it so hard for people to accept that these individuals may be set in their ways and may very well decide to fo...

Whether it's a meddlesome neighbor, snoopy coworker, or intrusive relative, we all know someone who can't seem to mind his or her business. Nosy people are everywhere. The question is: Why are people this way? Many people find their lives are relatively uneventful, and so they like to pry into the affairs of others. Further, others do it as a way of assessing how fulfilling or exciting their own lives are by comparison. I've come across a host of people -- particularly coworkers -- who love asking about my life, but volunteer very little information on theirs. In such situations, you have two options: either change the subject as if to suggest that you'd rather not disclose those details, or ask the same questions of the other person in kind. I find it hypocritical for people to go fishing for information on others while staying mum about their personal lives. Those who do this ought to find better things to do with their time!