WHAT

[kaberett]

So the Guardian published this GODAWFUL article in their Weekend supplement, and I need to work out how to complain in the STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS that they are giving this guy money and encouragement rather than reporting him to the police or strongly advising him to get himself the FUCK into therapy.

My love life in your hands
Anonymous.

I once broke into an ex-girlfriend's flat with a bunch of roses. I
couldn't find a vase to put them in, so I left them in her bathroom
sink. I thought this was romantic. She thought I was a psychopath.

More recently - three months ago - I thought it would be romantic to
chase to the airport a Canadian girl I hadn't even kissed. Despite
turning up 45 minutes early, I still managed to miss her. I called to
tell her I was at the check-in desk. She left the country and hasn't
responded to my e-mails.

I make bad decisions, but what was cute, misguided naivety when I was
17 feels different now I'm 27. If this decade of disaster has taught
me one thing, it's that I shouldn't be trusted to find romance and
true love by myself.

Hayley, my girlfriend of nearly four months (ignore the overlap), has
complained that things feel strange between us, that I seem more like
a friend than a boyfriend. This, I know, is the prelude to a break-up.

She will end the relationship if I don't do something to change her
mind, but left to my own devices, I know I'll make the wrong decision.

Which is why, each week, I'll be asking you, the readers, what to do
next. Whichever option gets the most votes, I promise to pursue - and
write about the consequences. So, what do you think I should do now?

a) Make a big romantic gesture to win Hayley back round.
b) Give up and start anew with somebody else.

The article - and poll, now closed - are online here.

I intend to write a letter of complaint but that doesn't seem quite enough. Please suggest other ways to kick up a fuss.

eta the Press Complaints Commission's online complaints form is here.

eta except the PCC "normally accept complaints only from those who are directly affected by the matters about which they are complaining" :(

Comments

[numberland]

This is rather fail in oh so many ways. I wonder if complaining will have more then a teaspoon effect but even that is to be valued. It is beyond my resources given other priorities so I'm going to try and not engage too much with it (this is an ongoing method of coping) but it is indeed rather horrifying that this would be seen as suitable to publish anywhere let alone The Guardian. *sadface*

[kaberett]

Totally understood. Taking care of yourself is the priority. I'm shouting about this in enough places that I hope people who do have the spoons will join in to teaspoon.

Also: did a bit of proof-reading/editing yesterday, but Google Docs kicked me off. Will prod it again some more... x