Read our local singles Q&A and get the answers to many of the most common questions facing people in relationships or using local singles sites.

Dear Alley . . . I have met many girls at local singles bars and gyms and all the popular meeting places and even met a few Catholic singles. They are never my type. What am I doing wrong? . . .James

James . . .Why do I get the feeling that you really are not into bars and working out. If this is the case, then we have solved your problem. Maybe you are into books, so start hanging out at book stores and libraries. Just because they are good places to meet local singles, doesn't mean they are good places for you to meet local singles. Go to places that you like and not just because they are good places to meet people.

Dear Alley, I signed up at a local singles site, and now I feel silly and desperate. I have gotten several responses to my personals that seem interesting but I'm too ashamed to answer them. Is that normal? Dina

Dina, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Singles websites are a successful, multi billion dollar business. It has been proven to work, and increase your chances. This is because it narrows down your searches to what you really want. There really have been many successful relationships that have developed online and to top this off, more than 40 million people are part of online singles communities. You have absolutely no reason to be afraid.

Dear Alley, I have been with my fiance for two years. He has a 9 year old daughter. When we first met, she was so sweet and supportive, but as soon as he asked me to marry him, she has become jealous and pulls all sorts of stunts to try and break us apart. He doesn't want to discipline her because he feels that she is going through a tough time and I should understand. Am I out of line to be mad? Rena

Rena, this is a tough situation. You do have the right to be mad, but you have to also be careful. While you should tell him what you think should be done with the child, you have to let him make the decisions. You don't want to seem like you are trying to get in the middle too much. As long as he is not willing to break off the engagement because of the child, the relationship is ok. If he decides that you two should take a step back, I would take it very seriously as he is letting a 9 year old control his singles life. But til then, let him deal with the child as he pleases.