I have a friend who has terrible phone manners, cutting me off when I begin speaking and going through her entire schedule almost every time we try to make a plan together. It's maddening and I get riled by the time we hang up because her mannerisms are aggressive and obnoxious on the phone. I get confused by her stringed sentences and all the information when I may have only called to say hello or what time are we meeting.

There is another friend who smirks when listening, like he knows more than you or maybe thinks what is being said is idotic. I've seen him do this to everyone he talks to and perhaps it is unintentional, but it is distracting. He comes off insincere.

What about my pal with the nervous giggle, laughing through words the other person is saying? She doesn't intend to be annoying and yet it is hard not to feel that she is not taking things seriously. She doesn't seem to be listening at all.

An aquaintence who lives nearby is a very close talker. He invades my space and that of everyone who he is speaking with. It is distracting and just odd. I've seen women take a step back but he moves into that space again. It's comical.

I mention a few examples of people who have a mannerism or a way about them when communicating that distracts and takes away from the conversation. With a friend I think it is worth your time using tact to mention this. Humor could work, like with my close talker friend, I could say, 'I must smell really good today because hey hey, you can't get close enough.' Maybe I'll add a goofy voice, which could also be annoying!

With a therapist, no. It isn't your responsibility to fix her. It would be fixing her too because she'd most likely modify this behavior in your presence. You are paying a lot for that small amount of time and clarity is key. If you stay and feel she is one that can help you through this deep stuff, then joke with her. "What? The squint again, uh oh, we must be onto something big!" After all, presumably you are sharing more uncomfortable things than just the dreaded squint!

"It makes me feel sad."

Cary you are so funny! I really got a kick out of this one. Your sidetrack reminded me of an image called Government Bureau by George Tooker (1956).

We all look, and from what I have seen, jealousy is common. It lies at the root of countless misunderstandings and unnecessary arguments. It sets women up against one another in a competetive atmosphere which is almost comical! That is, if we are just talking about looking and gazing. Everyone looks! If you are alive it is healthy to do this.

If I am a man and Cindy Crawford is in the room, I will look at her. Probably I will stare and attempt clever conversation. If I am a woman and David Beckham is in the room, I will stare and most likely flirt in whatever way the situation allows. Tell me this is not true and put whoever you think is hot into the space where these celebrity names exist. If you are my partner and you get upset or angry when I do this, it is your problem. Heck, give your partner a hall pass if that ever happens. I have been in a room with Cindy and I can tell you, woman, man, other, you just look. Sometimes beauty is intoxicating.

Beauty is so temporary anyway. If you really love this guy, have some fun with this, don't get so heavy on this one topic. Cary is right on here, it could even be fodder for your fantasies. Unless he is extreme, which is just embarrassing and tactless, then you've got to let it go. We stare at guys and chicks! We are like monkeys!

Jealousy will only cripple your relationship and it can take on a life of it's own. I was on a date with my husband and was accosted by a woman who thought I was "after her husband". She must have been watching and mistook friendly for something else, because she attacked. Screaming a few inches from my face that I should leave immediately. I'd only asked him the name of the band playing that night and we talked briefly about the city transporation maybe, so my husband and I were dumbfounded.

I am not sure why she thought a conversation with her grizzled hubby was so appealing to me that I'd go after him, but one thing was clear, it was all in her head. Which brings me to this: It's not all in your head, but what your BF is doing is harmless. Unless there is a betrayal or cheating, you don't need to check in on who he is looking at or even who he is talking to. Maybe I am being naive, but consider the alternative.

Jealousy springs up everywhere when people are driven mad by what they thought they saw: a glance exchanged, words that provoked, a longing gaze. Lingering eyes moving up and down on someone else's body. It's alright... he loves you honey. His hands are on you, not on the stranger wandering nearby and you can relax.

Try any way you can to feel solid enough, confident enough with yourself so that this won't bother you anymore. While you watch him checking people out you are thinking like the crazy lady. Be yourself. Be in love, be passionate and be into him but please, please don't be the crazy lady!