A health conscious concern: I have several friends with children who just feed them junk food. These are people that eat good food themselves, but they give their kids processed junk that is loaded with high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. Can I say something to them?? LISTEN: No. That was easy, wasn’t it?
Sad bunny says: Every Easter I have brunch with my family, and at some point people try to shove deviled eggs in my face. I hate eggs. I. Hate. Eggs. And every time it’s the same thing, people pushing me to try a new recipe or whatever. “No, thank you” doesn’t work – they almost […]
An economically disadvantaged discussion: I have a friend who recently came into a great deal of money. It wasn’t the lottery, but years of hard work that paid off dramatically. Now he can afford much nicer things, and I find myself insecure about returning any kind of hospitality. He’s never said anything one way or […]
The Shortest Horror Story: The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door. — Frederic Brown LISTEN: It was probably just a Jehovah’s Witness. And they’re not that scary. They’re quite friendly, in fact – and more than happy to go away and knock on someone else’s […]
A sensitive eater asks: What do I do when someone serves me something I just can’t eat? LISTEN: Can’t? Or won’t? Or won’t like? If you can’t eat it – like it’s peanuts or something, you just say “Oh, I’m so sorry, I can’t eat nuts,” and just leave it at that. Tell them you’ll have a […]
A delightful question: What is the right thing to buy for a housewarming present when the people have everything they need already? LISTEN: Most people would default to a scented (stinking) candle, so I appreciate your asking. The traditional gifts are bread and salt, though symbolic gifts could include coins, knives and wine. Think about […]
A disgusting salad suggestion: I despise melon – all kinds – and yet I find myself going to a dinner at a friend’s house where they will be serving a something with melon (they always do). I can’t choke it down, and I feel terrible…what is the most polite way for me to decline a […]
“We’ll deal with that tomorrow…” Or the Next Day Or the next. Sigh. Time slips away. OK…a recap: According to our most recent correspondent – dinner guests show up: They criticized the size of our house, saying it was too small. They didn’t like our dog, they called the china kitschy, and said how nice […]
An inebriated inquiry: I have small dinners at home with some frequency – me, my partner, two close friends and then two newer friends – people we’d like to get to know and who we think everyone would get along with. I take a great deal of care creating a new menu for each dinner, […]
Wonders a wasteful writer: My husband and I went to have dinner with an old friend at their new house. Before dinner we were making cocktails, and she handed my husband a glass of ice, as he prefers straight liquor on the rocks. She had filled the glass full of ice, so he went to […]