Lifestyle

Dish Dilemma: When friends don’t return dishes

Q: My friends rave about my artichoke dip and often request it for parties.  The problem:  I’m tired of having to wait weeks…

Playdate Predicament: Scary movies

Q: At an afternoon play date, my seven-year-old son was shown a gory video and has had trouble sleeping ever since.  When I…

Phone Offenders: When a friend borrows your cell

Q: I have a friend who keeps asking to borrow my cell phone for “a quick call.”  Problem is, her calls are rarely…

Housewarming No-No: Gift registries

Q: I’ve just moved into a new house and would like to throw a party.  My friends have asked about my color scheme,…

Vexing Vittles: When you can’t swallow your food

Q: What should you do when you’re in the company of others and have food in your mouth that you can’t chew or…

Crowded Checkout: When another shopper is cramping your style

Q: Is there a polite way to stop the person behind you in the supermarket checkout line from unloading her items before you’ve…

The Name Game: When should you use your professional name?

Q: I use my maiden name professionally, but my husband’s socially.  How should I have printed my name on invitations and holiday cards…

Dirty Diaper Delinquent: Guests who don’t properly dispose

Q: Whenever she visits, my sister changers daughter’s diaper on my new sofa, then sticks the soiled one in the kitchen garbage, where…

Copier Confusion: Who takes precedence?

Q: I do a lot of xeroxing at our local library, and often end up waiting behind some massive jobs.  When is it…

Doubling Dipping Dilemma: Can you go for a second dunk?

Q: Is it totally tacky to dip a half-eaten shrimp back into the cocktail sauce?

A: It’s inappropriate (and unhealthy) to put food you’ve nibbled…