By PHILLIP MILANO Question Movies portray Southern men as potentially dangerous. Images of evil sheriffs and psychopathic swamp dwellers come to mind whenever I’m south of Peoria. The stereotype is definitely out there. I’d love to hear from others about it. Tom, 42, white, Wheaton, Ill. Replies When people hear a Southern accent, the person’s IQ drops 50 points in …

By PHILLIP MILANO Question Often when I stop my car for white people crossing the street, they break into a silly little “trot” that lasts a few seconds. I’ve seen this primarily in whites over 25. What gives? Are they trying to show “courtesy” to me? C., Central California Replies In my experience, African-Americans do the exact opposite. They walk …

By PHILLIP MILANO Question Is Latino culture more sexist? I can’t walk through the mostly Latino neighborhood near my house without getting harassed by men who think it’s acceptable to make sexual comments or catcalls. Katie, 23, Korean and white female, Washington, D.C. Replies In Latin cultures, men give out piropos (“little gems”), poetic compliments to get a woman’s attention, …

By PHILLIP MILANO Question Why do fundamentalist Christians cite the Old Testament for their views on homosexuality when it is not part of the Ten Commandments? If they follow this part of the Old Testament, how about all the other stuff in there, such as dietary restrictions? Claire, 23, secular humanist, Los Angeles Replies Because it doesn’t fit their larger …

By PHILLLIP J. MILANO Question Is it true that U.S. society values men with a full, thick head of hair more than those of us who are going bald or are bald? Andy, 36, Albany, N.Y. Replies Absolutely. Thick hair connotes health and youth. Also, most people’s faces just aren’t attractive enough to pull off the no-hair deal. Hair can …

By PHILLLIP J. MILANO Question My friends and I are always curious about what kind of Asian girls foreigners think are beautiful. Ying-Yao, 24, Asian female, Miami Replies I’d say it’s just the “exotic” aspect of them to the Western imagination. We have a long history of imagining the mysterious Asian, however mistaken that may be. Vail, 40, male, Philadelphia …