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Be Prepared to Answer Those Tough Questions Tomorrow!

DearSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0800

If there's a chance you'll be put on the spot tomorrow at your Thanksgiving dinner, make sure you're prepared to answer those tough questions your bold relatives just love to ask. I hope this helps! Source

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Tough Question No. 5: Have You Lost/Gained Some Weight?

DearSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:30:00 -0800

Weight is one of those topics that makes almost everyone feel uncomfortable. Calling out a person's weight gain or loss not only puts them on the spot, but it can easily do a number on their self-esteem. If Thanksgiving is the holiday that brings your family together, chances are you'll be seeing some relatives you haven't seen for a while, so if they comment on your weight, here are some ways to hold your own.

To see my responses for tough question number five, read more.

Looks are an easy thing to zero in on if you haven't seen someone in a long time, and most people tend to comment on weight. If it's not something you want to discuss, acknowledge their comments and quickly move the conversation along.
Weight fluctuation has a lot to do with diet and exercise, but personal issues can be another trigger. If someone comments on your noticeable weight loss, be short and say something like, "Yes, I guess I have lost a few pounds. It's been a very stressful Fall but I'm really looking forward to a great Thanksgiving dinner!" If you leave it at that, they shouldn't fish for any more details.
If you've admittedly gained a few pounds - 'tis the season! - and a relative approaches you about it, address it in a cheeky manner. Say something like, "Yes, I've been slacking a little, but now there's just more of me to love!" or "I'm embracing the holidays, Aunt Jessie - by Easter I'll be as slender as can be!"
If you've struggled with your weight, but you're finally where you want to be, take the compliments you're given this Thanksgiving. If you've worked hard to get back into your skinny jeans, be proud of yourself; reaching your goal weight is no small feat!

Have any of you had to face weight questions like this? If so, how did you handle it?

Source

Tough Question No. 4: When Are You Going to Start a Family?

DearSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:30:00 -0800

Is it just me or do most parents crave grandchildren? If you're married or at a point in your life where a baby makes sense, chances are your family will start prying this Thanksgiving. Having kids is a very personal decision, but loved ones certainly know how to lay on the pressure, so check out my tips on how to answer tough question number four! Click here to read more.

If you're not ready to be with child, the state of our economy is a great excuse. Tell your inquisitive family members that you're waiting until things get more stable before trying.
If kids are in your future, reassure them that you're going to start a family eventually, but you want to enjoy the freedom of being childless for a little longer - they've got to understand that!
If you're actively trying but have yet to conceive, don't let them in on your secret because they'll just continue to ask the same question until they get the answer they're looking for. Dodge it completely and tell them you're thinking about trying in the next year - that will buy you some time.
If you're newly pregnant but not ready to tell anyone yet, get ready to deliver an Oscar-worthy performance!

For those of you who've had to answer this question before, what route worked best for you?

Source

Tough Question No. 3: When Are You Getting Engaged?

DearSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:30:00 -0800

If you're dating and you have a job, don't think that you're exempt from the line of questioning at Thanksgiving - getting engaged is of course the next one! Some women enjoy just dating their significant other, but if you're actually waiting for a ring yourself, this question could hit a nerve. To see my suggestions on how to answer tough question number three, just read more.

If you're simply not ready to take that next step in your relationship, tell whoever is asking that you're just enjoying being together for now. Reiterate that you're not in a rush to get hitched and hopefully they'll back off.
Blame your youth. Tell them you feel too young and don't feel the need to be married just yet.
If you are ready for an engagement yourself, take a cheeky approach and say something like, "I've been asking myself the same question" or "I'm not sure, but if you find out when, let me know!" If you take the pressure off with humor, it'll make talking about it a lot easier.

If you're in a similar boat this year, tell us, how do you plan on answering this tough question?

Source

Tough Question No. 2: What Are You Doing With Your Life?

DearSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:30:00 -0800

Many of us have felt the effects of the worsening economy, so if you've lost your job as a result, I bet one of the questions you'll be asked this Thanksgiving will be what you're planning on doing now. Not only can that question be invasive, but it can end up making you feel even worse about your situation than you already do. To see my suggestions on how to answer that uncomfortable question, read more.

If you are in fact unemployed, as annoying as it may be to talk about (let alone think about), it's always a good idea to let as many people as you can know that you're looking for a job. They could be privy to an opportunity or they might be able to point you in the right direction.
Know that you don't have to have an answer to this question, and if you don't, be honest and say just that - sometimes change takes a little soul searching.
If your family members keep at you, politely ask them to back off. Tell them that you don't have all the answers right now but when you do, you'll be the first one to let them know!
Use interviewing as a distraction, or tell them you're researching new careers. Sometimes all they really want to know is that you're actively looking for a new job.

Have any of you had to answer a question similar to this one? If so, what approach did you use?

Source

Tough Question No. 1: Why Aren't You Dating?

DearSugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:00:00 -0800

A common fear many women have as Thanksgiving approaches is how to answer those intrusive, uncomfortable, and sometimes rude questions by family members or old acquaintances. To help get you prepared for turkey day, I'm here to offer my suggestions for how to respond to the line of questioning most everyone gets this time of year. Let's start with question number one: Why aren't you dating?

To see my answers, read more.

Even if you don't know the answer to this question yourself, fake it. Exude confidence and respond with either of these:
I just haven't found that special someone yet. Honest and straight to the point.

I am dating, just not dating anyone seriously, that's all! This lets them know you're not lonely, but also makes it clear that they won't be meeting him (or them!) anytime soon.

If you want the questioning to end ASAP, you can take a more aggressive approach and fib with either of these two statements:
My boyfriend and I just broke up and it's really hard to talk about. If they keep prying, ask them if you can please change the subject.

I'm taking a hiatus from men until after the holidays. This will let them know not to ask you the same question when you see them at Christmas!

If you've ever been in a similar situation, tell us, how do you answer the question, "Why aren't you dating?"?

Source

Infomercial King Billy Mays Has Tough Questions For Obama

GiggleSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:35:45 -0700

I read about President Obama answering more questions from the nonmainstream media, but I had no idea how far nonmainstream he was going. Of course, infomercial king Billy Mays here has some faaan-tastic products for the beleaguered prez. . .

Ask an Accountant: Should I Let My Boyfriend Smoke Pot?

TresSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 06:00:46 -0700

Conventional Wisdom is a different kind of advice column. Your questions will be answered by people from all walks of life rather than by advice experts. This week, an accountant advises a woman who's having a tough time with her boyfriend's pot smoking. Want to throw your hat into the ring? You can submit questions here.

Today's Question:
My boyfriend of over three years has been smoking pot since he was a teenager. I knew this before we started dating, but really thought he would quit by now. He is now 32 years old and still smokes multiple times a day. I've already talked to him about how I don't like it at all and wish he would quit. He then argues that it is better to smoke pot than to drink alcohol or do other heavier drugs. I see his friends that have families and they smoke around their babies and toddlers, but I do not want our kids (if we ever have any) to be exposed to it. Should I put my foot down harder or just let him have his "hobby"?

Signed,
Feeling Low

To see the accountant's answer, read more.

Dear Feeling Low,

It may be true that someone who smokes a lot of pot is no worse than someone who drinks a lot of alcohol, but you are wise to consider your future.

Now unless you are really warped, having kids usually makes you grow up and become responsible to some extent. But since you and he hang around others that haven't changed, my guess is that you can't count on a baby to stop the drug habit.

Now consider some really hard facts. Having kids will cost a lot, and smoking pot will really cut into your diaper budget. Since weed doesn't come with a filter, he is wrecking his health. Not to mention, lung cancer kills! So do you really want your boyfriend to increase his chances of contracting this nasty disease in the future? And don't forget about paying for all that extra medical attention. I don't know about you, but I think that insurance companies take our medical premiums and then tell us it isn't covered when we get sick. Besides, when was the last time you paid less when you went to the doctors? Cut out the weed and you can plow that money into a 401K so that when you retire you won't have to work a part-time job as a Wal-Mart greeter!

The bottom line, as we accountants like to put it, is that you need to find a new boyfriend and hang around with folks that get high on life. Ask yourself the question: how much do I love myself? Take it from a CPA, if you value yourself, the choice to move on with a new guy should add up and pay you many dividends in the future. Good luck!

Signed,
The CPA (Certified Pot Adviser)

Uh-Oh: Michelle Obama Sports $540 Shoes

TresSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 10:04:49 -0700

The Obamas are down to earth from their heads down to their toes. Oh wait, scratch that. Earlier this week, Michelle was spotted wearing these Lanvin sneakers, which go for $540. Oops.

The first lady's camp has responded to questions about the pricey fashion statement by saying, "They're shoes."

Michelle and Barack have largely avoided looking like they're out of touch with many struggling Americans. During the campaign, Obama's camp made sure to reiterate that John McCain owned seven homes. And I definitely remember stories about John McCain's $520 Ferragamos, while we were treated to the worn-down soles of Obama's shoes in photographs.

Should Michelle be able to wear what she wants if she can afford it, or should the first lady coordinate her footwear with the tough economic times?

Source

Obama Wants Action and Patience to Get US Back on Course

CitizenSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:32:27 -0700

Unsurprisingly, almost every question at tonight's press conference had to do with the economy. President Obama, who said we are beginning to "see signs of progress," took the opportunity to lay out his four priorities moving forward: health care, education, energy, and deficit reduction. When asked why it took him so long to express outrage over AIG's bonuses, Obama said: "It took us a couple of days because I like to know what I’m talking about when I speak." That clearly showed tonight, considering the amount of detail the president shared.

Here are some of the highlights:

On working together: We will recover from this recession. But it will take time, it will take patience, and it will take an understanding that when we all work together, when each of us looks beyond our own short-term interests to the wider set of obligations we have to each other - that's when we succeed. That's when we prosper.
On a new type of prosperity: We know that an economy built on reckless speculation, inflated home prices, and maxed-out credit cards does not create lasting wealth. It creates the illusion of prosperity, and it’s endangered us all.
On the sacrifices of the American people: With respect to the American people, I think folks are sacrificing left and right. They - you’ve got a lot of parents who are cutting back on everything to make sure that their kids can still go to college. You’ve got workers who are deciding to cut an entire day and entire day’s worth of pay so that their fellow co-workers aren’t laid off.

To see what Obama had to say about his critics, and public outrage, read more.

On public outrage: We can't afford to demonize every investor or entrepreneur who tries to make a profit.
On his critics: I’m not going to lie to you. It is tough. As I said, that’s why the critics tend to criticize, but they don’t offer an alternative budget, because even if we were not doing health care, we were not doing energy, we were not doing education, they’d still have a whole bunch of problems in those out years, according to CBO projections.
On how his tax plan would impact charitable giving: I'll tell you what has a significant impact on charitable giving, is a financial crisis and an economy that’s contracting. And so the most important thing that I can do for charitable giving is to fix the economy, to get banks lending again, to get businesses opening their doors again, to get people back to work again. Then I think charities will do just fine.

Source