Ask Anna In The Tribune With Possibly Her Worst Dating Advice Ever "Am I A Boyfriend or A Sugar Daddy?"

(Chicago Tribune)–Hello from West Africa! I’m a 22-year-old final year student in college. I’m from an average family and my elder brother takes care of my tuition. I recently started dating a girl who’s in her first year in my school and she’s not financially comfortable. Normally, I do feel that it’s on me to try to provide for her when she needs anything and she tells me, but the problem is she always “needs something, ” like every day, and I’m beginning to get tired. This is not good for me, especially at this time when I am struggling to be independent. What do I need to do? Should I stop dating her?

I will admit to a total ignorance about dating customs in West Africa, so know that, but I would say that if you don’t want to keep giving this person money every time she asks for it, then you should stop. And let her know that things can’t keep continuing the way that they have been.

It’s time to start asserting some boundaries! Have a talk with her and tell her your situation and what you’re comfortable paying for and what you’re not comfortable paying for. If she guilt-trips you or argues with you, she’s probably not someone you want to keep dating.

Jesus Christ, Anna…WAKE UP. Look alive for me one time. This isn’t an expensive girlfriend problem. This isn’t a sugar daddy problem. This is a Nigerian getting Nigerian Prince’d by a girl I doubt even exists. The advice here isn’t about setting boundaries and pleading ignorance about West African dating practices. No. Come on, it’s too late for that. It’s not relevant to the situation. The proper advice is here is to say “hey dum dum…change your passwords, cut up your credit card, and close your venmo because you are DEFINITELY getting scammed and catfished”. That’s how you help people in need. Be real, tell them their girlfriend isn’t.