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Prudie thought, for fun, she would let you see examples of the two different kinds of letters she gets from readers, letting her know how they think she's doing.

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Dear Prudence,

After reading some of the choice quotes, summaries, and tall tales you are sending out to most people who foolishly ask you for advice, I can come to only one conclusion: You are a femi-Nazi, black-boot wearing, lesbian harpy with a chip on your shoulder the size of Detroit in the winter and the bearer of the most worthless advice I have ever heard being handed out. A dead rat in a field in Des Moines has more important things to say than you do. I bet you yourself have NEVER had a date, let alone anyone interested enough to even ask. If you didn't hate guys so much, perhaps you could possibly one day have one by your side. I feel sorry for all the poor losers who have to write to you to have their little problems "vanquished" by your "wisdom."

—Your Boyfriend (Oh wait, you don't have one of those, do you?)

You are correct about Prudie having no boyfriend. She is quite certain it would not sit well with her present husband. And do send up a flare if that dead rat in Des Moines comes up with anything interesting. You are a very colorful correspondent, and Prudie does not mind in the least that your missive is silly claptrap.

—Prudie, amusedly

Miss Prudence,

While I am quite sure you get many letters of thanks from longtime readers, I would like to add mine, being a periodic reader. Thank you for being consistent, compassionate, and grounded in reality. Other "Dear …" columns are all too frequently harsh and often self-serving. Or so it seems to me. Your columns are frequently topical as well as honest without being abrasive. Thank you. I am starting to find myself reading your columns on a more regular basis. I suppose one of these days I may well write you with a question of my own.   

—Martin T.

Thank you, kind sir. Write anytime.