Dear Dr. Babooner,

My boyfriend says he absolutely loves the Minnesota State Fair and if I care for him I’ll go and enjoy being there all day every day for 12 days straight like he does, every single year.

I think that’s asking a lot, even of me.

And I am solidly in the Fair Fanatic demographic. I am the only person I know who actually enjoys eating cotton candy. I look forward to riding the Space Needle, and I have no trouble finding thoughtful things to say while taking a very, very close look at the eyelashes of a pig. I have a high level of tolerance for mundane things even though I do sometimes think while watching another endless hour of butter head sculpting that the unbridled passion for new frontiers and unique experiences that was the hallmark of my youth is now very much a thing of my past.

But do I complain or balk? I do not. I go to The Fair because it pleases him, and when he’s happy, I’m happy.

This year, however, I’m thinking of cutting back a little, like maybe going every other day. Or maybe just once – on Wednesday. Did you realize that The Fair has only one Wednesday? I think that makes it a rather special time. But I’m afraid when I suggest it to my boyfriend he’ll think it just means I don’t love him anymore. That’s not true, of course. But if I’m forced to go to the stinking fair with him every damn day again this year, it might become true.

Sorry, I slipped a little right there. What I mean to say is that I’ve come to the conclusion that having everything in excess is not very satisfying, and I’m starting to cherish the small, rare, quiet moments.

I don’t think there’s anything about The Fair that’s small or quiet. I suppose the beef is rare, but that’s because it’s still on the hoof.

Dr. Babooner, am I asking for trouble by trying to back out of my boyfriend’s tradition of Total Fair Immersion, or might this strengthen our relationship?

Sincerely,
Already Had Enough Mini-Donuts And Pronto Pups

I told A.H.E.M.D.A.P.P. that a person should never feel pressured to do something distasteful for love. Being honest with your boyfriend is always the best policy, and if he genuinely cares for you, he’ll understand. But if he’s on the fence about you, the fair is the best possible place to meet someone else who unequivocally shares his total fascination with this annual event. Eleven days there alone is more than enough time. In fact, you may not even need to go on Wednesday. Wednesday is the sixth day of the fair – and the midpoint. The most intense animal barn smells will just kicking in by then, but your relationship could already be history.

But that’s just one opinion. What do YOU think, Dr. Babooner?