Author Archives: Tough Talk: An Advice Column

Tough Talk, I just want to thank you for some great advice you gave me a while back.   I really can’t thank you enough.  You’re the best.  Thank you very much. (Bristol, Vermont) ### Bristol, I know.  You are welcome. ###

PS How can Olga be such a dear friend if she won’t introduce you to her friends? Don’t be such a dope. ###

Dear Tough Talk, I have a friend whom I will call “Olga.”  She is a dear friend where we met at a convention for oven mitts, aprons and expired coupons.  We regularly meet for coffee and she always tells me about her friends and her significant other, but has made it clear that I willContinue reading “Tough Talk: December 6, 2023”

Tough Talk, We have a nephew who just completed his tour of duty as an enlisted marine.  He has a child and his wife works really hard and goes to school.  He just sits at home and has his mother take care of the child.  He does nothing but watch tv and vape, whatever theContinue reading “Tough Talk: December 5, 2023”

Tough Talk, My brother sent me a gift card for my birthday for a posh restaurant I’ve always wanted to go to.  However, I really need some hardware equipment and was wondering if it’s rude to send him the card back and ask for another gift card for the shop I’d like to go to. Continue reading “Tough Talk: December 4, 2023”

A DAY OF CELEBRATION OF HAPPINESS AND JOY Tough Talk is delighted to announce the passing and demise of Henry Kissinger.  The amount of blood on his hands could fill the Grand Canyon: Viet Nam, Chile, the Middle East . . .  This list goes on and on.  Please join TT in saying good riddanceContinue reading “Tough Talk: December 1, 2023”

Tough Talk, I have just been selected to be a part of a wonderful wedding.  It’s really quite an honor.  Do you think I should send a thank you card or other expression of gratitude?  (Eastview, Utah) Eastview, No.  Don’t bother. ###

Tough Talk, I have met a delightful young lady and I think she is the one and she has hinted at this too.  Problem: she has this “friend” who is always making condescending remarks about me and is generally a pompous jerk.  I later found out he really likes her and has wanted to dateContinue reading “Tough Talk: November 29, 2023”

Tough Talk, My husband and I are at odds with how we keep the house clean.  I believe it’s okay if the place isn’t immaculate and if something needs to be done, it doesn’t have to be immediately.  However, he is really uptight and can’t sand if anything is out of place or just notContinue reading “Tough Talk: November 28, 2023”

Tough Talk, I work at an office where we recently received the most vile and loathsome piece of trash imaginable.  I won’t even discuss it; it was so awful.  My office mates think we should find out who sent it, but I think we should let it slide unless of course it happens again.  WhatContinue reading “Tough Talk: November 27, 2023”