# What do you do when a loved one is dating the wrong person? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 20, 2003, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-a-loved-one-is-dating-the-wrong-person/189809 "2003-07-20T23:26:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-a-loved-one-is-dating-the-wrong-person/189809/21 "2003-07-22T05:57:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jacksen9 \* > \*\* > > Just kidding. Seriously, why not confront him about his gambling problem? Why not let him know that you have these suspicions about him, that you disapprove of the racial slurs, that you think he is a manipulator, and besides all that, you think he is ugly. Get a private detective to invesitgate him. He might have some stuff in his past that would make your sister reconsider. > > \*\* How about a tape recorder? Keep one ready in your pocket, and if you think he is going to say something she doesn’t know about, turn it on. Play the tape for her. I’m not a lawyer, and this might be illegal, it may not even work anyway(if she doesn’t want to believe it, she won’t). ---
**Author:** ![Zorro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ad7895/32.png) [@Zorro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zorro)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-a-loved-one-is-dating-the-wrong-person/189809/22 "2003-07-22T13:23:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cainxinth \* > \*\*What do you do when a loved one is dating the wrong person? \*\* Usually, I end up going to their bloody wedding. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-a-loved-one-is-dating-the-wrong-person/189809/23 "2003-07-22T13:58:04Z")
Mind your own business ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-a-loved-one-is-dating-the-wrong-person/189809/24 "2003-07-22T14:59:13Z")
You could always try _10 Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives_ by Dr. Laura. Yes, I know, she’s not the most revered person on the board, but she does have some interesting insights. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-a-loved-one-is-dating-the-wrong-person/189809/25 "2003-07-22T18:12:50Z")
"What do you do when a loved one is dating the wrong person? " If I think it’s the wrong person, I don’t do nothing. If they think that it’s the wrong person & it’s been going on for a year, then I ask them why didn’t they do something about it a long time ago? ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-a-loved-one-is-dating-the-wrong-person/189809/26 "2003-07-22T20:19:16Z")
The harder you try to pry them apart, the closer they will get. You don’t say how old your sister is but she must be old enough to know better. All I can suggest is be there when its over. And don’t say “I told you so” ---
**Author:** ![plain\_jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@plain\_jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plain_jane)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2003, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-a-loved-one-is-dating-the-wrong-person/189809/27 "2003-07-23T04:40:43Z")
I also think sometimes there is a fear of another failed relationship. The person continues in their current relationship regardless of whether or not the relationship is a good one just because they don’t want yet another failed relationship under their belt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-when-a-loved-one-is-dating-the-wrong-person/189809.md?page=1)