Ask Idgie

Take charge advice for work and play every Thursday


Hey Idg--

It is 800 degrees outside. What should I drink?

--So thirsty


Thirsty--

God made white wine for a reason. It is light, refreshing, and cold. Chose a Sauvingon Blanc or Pinot Gris instead of a Chardonnay, which can be heavy and sickly sweet. I'm also a big fan of dry Rose wine (not White Zinfandel! Only your mom drinks that). Stay away from anything with a very high alcohol content or is too sugary. It is way too easy to get drunk and dehydrated in this weather and sugar can make you metabolize the alcohol faster.

Cheers!
Idgie


Idgie,

My boss talks incessantly about his kids. All day, every day. I usually don't mind the occasional story about how little Mitzy took her first steps. However, his kids sound like monsters! How can I avoid these conversations?

--Is that chocolate or is it poop?

Chocolate--

Unless you have a shrine of your nieces on your desk or wear a T-shirt that says "Please, tell me about your son's potty training", it is a little weird that your boss initiates multiple conversations a day about his kids. Even stranger is that he doesn't seem to be boasting. Perhaps you responded too positively in the past about a story about a sibling brawl. Or he's desperately trying to find a non-work way to relate to you. Or he assumes that since you are a woman that you care. Or he's spending so much time reviewing day care incident reports and cleaning tossed food off the floor and out of his hair that he really doesn't have anything else to talk about. In any case, since you find the topic excessive, it is up to you to change the dynamic. When he starts these conversations, nod politely, recognize the point of the story, and change the subject to a more acceptable topic (work-related or otherwise). "Gee Jerry, it sounds like visiting the farm was quite the adventure! But about these TPS reports..."

Idgie

Have a question about work or play? Email Idgie at askidgie@gmail.com