YOUR PROBLEMS SOLVED
Q. I work in the fashion department of a glossy magazine. Because there is a no- smoking regulation in my office I am forced to go downstairs and stand in the street outside the building whenever I want a quiet fag. How can I discourage would-be punters — or whatever they are called — from slowing down in their cars in the mis- taken belief that I am a prostitute) CS., London WI 4- Why not purchase a pair of second-hand horn-rimmed spectacles from an Oxfam shop and wear these while you are enjoying the effects of the nicotine? You will find that they serve admirably to repel unwel- come advances.
Q. We are afflicted at work with a col- league who combines a lack of manners With a very pushy nature. One of her most irritating habits is the way she constantly interrupts others when she wants some- thing, regardless of whether they are in the middle of a conversation, on the telephone, or otherwise preoccupied. She is very diffi- cult to ignore as she insists on standing
Dear Mary. .
almost on the toes of the person whose attention she wants and seems impervious to the usual subtle hints. Please can you suggest some tactics for dealing with this situation.
RH.W., Stoke, Plymouth A. Next time this pushy person comes strid- ing towards you intent on interrupting, pre- empt her by holding up your hand, lollipop- lady-style as though stopping a stream of traffic. You can then swivel your head back in the direction in which it was already positioned and carry on with whatever else you were doing. Make no verbal response and doggedly ignore any impetrations until you are ready. Encourage one or two other
members of staff to adopt the same lol- lipop-lady gesture and the offender will soon learn to fear their symbolic prolifera- tion. It should be only a matter of days before the problem has resolved itself.
Q. I am at supper with a revered but elderly couple. I notice as I am finishing an excit- ing story about my love life that my host and hostess are both asleep. So far I have had nothing to eat. Would it be rude to help myself and carry on eating until I have finished the meal, or should I leave the house and go to McDonald's?
R. G., English Dept., University of Glasgow A. A better procedure would be quietly to telephone a friend and ask him or her to ring you back on the couple's number. Explain that they may have to wait for some time before their call is answered. You may then sit back and watch the crack- ling fira or enjoy the view from the window until such time as this 'alarm call' brings your hosts back to their senses.
Mary Killen
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