Q. I've met a man at college who I really like. We've been emailing, and he's opened up and told me he hates socialising with people who expect him to be funny all the time. I think he's insecure because he's short. He asked if he could see me at the weekend and I accepted, but then he didn't contact me. He hasn't been on the Internet since and now I'll have to see him in class. What happened?

A. He's lucky to have met someone like you - someone who's trying to understand him, rather than getting angry at being stood up. This is not to say all men who stand up dates deserve understanding; a lot of them are 'me first' thoughtless drips. But, from what you say, this guy may simply be insecure and self conscious. Chances are he panicked. It's worth seeing him to say it's a shame he couldn't make it last time. And this time you do the asking out; you set the time and place. I have a hunch he deserves a second chance. But only one more!