Author Archives: Tough Talk: An Advice Column

Tough Talk, I make a saffron soufle which is often the hit of my dinner parties.  I’d like to try a variation on this and serve it with a wider fork.  The problem is that it may not appear as tight and crisp as I would like it to be. Of course, I’m concerned thatContinue reading “Tough Talk: October 10, 2024”

Tough Talk, My wife and I have two children.  Our son is successful with a great job, wife and kids.  We are very proud of him.  My daughter however went through a very bad phase and we spent a lot of money on her treatment.  She has turned it around, found a good husband andContinue reading “Tough Talk: October 9, 2024”

Tough Talk, I’m married to a wonderful man and we have been together since high school.  He is kind, sweet and always says the right thing in every situation.  But . . . I have this nagging feeling: he won’t let me look at his personal email or text messages which I know he regularlyContinue reading “Tough Talk: October 8, 2024”

Tough Talk, My father is a crusty 92 year old man and going strong.  My husband and I are going to retire soon and want to move out of the area.  Friends and family don’t like this plan.  We spend a lot of time helping my Dad and are able to handle his outbursts.  IContinue reading “Tough Talk: October 7, 2024”

Tough Talk, I recently became friends with another woman and we have so much in common.  We can talk for hours.  However, there are times when I share a personal experience or my feelings and I run into a brick wall with a stony continence.  I’m just not getting the emotional response I would expect. Continue reading “Tough Talk: October 4, 2024”

Tough Talk, I’m part of a book club that focuses on the best of haute cuisine and pompositus dining.  We do have one lady who learns personal information about others and seems happy to bring it up at the most embarrassing moments.  We don’t want to kick her out of the club, but she doesn’tContinue reading “Tough Talk: October 3, 2024”

Tough Talk, My wife has a group of friends who get together once a month and have done so for years.  Each time someone hosts the party.  When it’s my wife’s turn, I say hello and hide up stairs with the kids as we are clearly not welcome.  Her friends are quite nasty sometimes andContinue reading “Tough Talk: October 2, 2024”

Tough Talk, I really love my husband and his mother.  However, she recently remarried a man who is a nice guy, but has this really bad habit where he is always bragging about  himself and how successful he is which I know is a COS.  I don’t want to start a problem, but people talkContinue reading “Tough Talk: October 1, 2024”

Tough Talk, I recently married a man I love and who is really close to his family. (I’ve discovered a little too close, but that’s another story.)  I don’t want to be mean or stuck-up, but his brother eats like a pig.  I’m not kidding. Making tons of noise and spitting out food when heContinue reading “Tough Talk: September 24, 2024”

Tough Talk, I work in an office where I’m the newest employee in an office of elderly women. They are always giving me advice on my clothing and appearance and even have come up to adjust my tie, collar or jacket.  I find it very annoying but really need this job.  What do you thinkContinue reading “Tough Talk: September 23, 2024”