I'm getting sick and tired of the fact that every time a man is socially awkward he gets recast as an unstable, psychotic, criminal. He's a clingy boyfriend, they have different ideas about how much time to spend together, the first advice should not be, "you may eventually need a restraining order, kick him to the curb." How about a more tempered, "talk to him about how you feel smothered but you'd still like to spend time with him but also with your friends."

Agreed. I'm assuming this guy is also 21 or thereabouts. Is it also his first serious relationship?

He may be shy. He's certainly awkward.

I'd advise talking to him, telling him that you need more space. It might be hard for him to take; that is, he could think it's a prelude to a dumping or a sign you don't like him. Setting aside some special time for the two of you might help that. But you have to make your needs and boundaries clear. And if they guy can't handle it, give him the old heave-ho.

If I were in a position to talk to the guy, I'd point out that he needs his own life and that putting all his social eggs in one basket is really unwise. Of course, the guy might not have any friends. There's really not much information to go on.

Yeah, maybe the guy will turn out to be a stalker. But I'd say that's far less likely than him being an infatuated doofus.

But it's not funny or clever or good advice to go straight to the "this guy's a psycho" prescription. These are real people, you know. This isn't some stupid movie (which is where a lot of encouragement to be a clingy idiot comes from).

I agree.

Apparently, Emily is SO OLD that she's forgotten what the combination of love and immaturity looks like: this guy is just a puppy-dog, that's all. If the girl has a better sense of herself than he does then perhaps a gratifying expression of love on her part would be to help broaden his outlook toward love and life.

Or...perhaps Emily just typifies the modern American-feminist model of the female in love relationships: quick contempt, hyperselectivity, insularity and ABIDING selfishness and self-centeredness.

I'm surprised that Emily doesn't recognize the fact that this clingy bf is just like a jewish mother.

I remember when I had an aloof boyfriend. It drove my self esteem into the ground. Then I met a great guy who only wanted to be around me. We've been married 23 years.

Shouldn't that be the whole point of dating? To find someone you want to be around and who wants be around you? I know there are some men and women who see it as a contest or conquest but that's not the road to happiness.

My prediction? This young couple will break up. The young man will meet another young woman who only wants to be around him and THEY will live happily ever after. Hopefully, the young lady in this story will find someone she wants to be around all the time as well.