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This column was posted on 3/20/2003. Check back next week to see another "Tuff Talk!" question and answer. It could be yours!

She Acts Like the Self-Appointed Fashion Police!

I just moved to New Jersey from Philadelphia. Since the first day of school I have been feeling a little left out. But on the bright side, I am kind of making more friends. But my problem is, there's this girl in my new school who is a critic. She can't keep things to herself. When you wear something she doesn't like, she starts insulting your outfit in front of your friends and saying thing like, "Take that off! It looks so bad that I don't even wanna look at you!" and it gets really embarassing. What do I do to make her stop? - Bea, 12, New Jersey

"Hey, Bea!" You're going to come across people like this is your life. Not only are they insecure but loud and underdeveloped. Odds are, she's just picking on you because you're an easy target at the moment. The more friends you make, the less of a target you become. The fact that she's making fun of you has nothing to do with you. She's insecure about who she is and what she's wearing. So the next time she starts to make fun of you, just smile and walk away. It'll get to her more than if you try to defend yourself. By the way, make sure you check out the Jersey Shore in the summer. It's a blast!.

Stephanie