Q:Whenever my friend and I get together, she wants to show me pictures of her baby. I know she wants me to tell her how cute the kid is, but I can't. The baby is kinda ugly (hey, it happens). I'm obviously not going to tell her that, but is there something else I can say that won't hurt her feelings - and won't be a total lie?
- A baby-hater in Bridesburg
A: I'll answer your question with a question, "How scary-looking are you?" Really, that's a pretty bold statement to make about somebody's baby being ugly, girlfriend. All babies are cute. The uglies don't set in until they become kids. See, now you have me sounding like you. You can always make a nice comment about a baby's smile, or hair, or tiny hands and feet, or focus on some other feature. I don't think you're being asked to judge a baby beauty pageant. Nothing good ever happens when you hurt somebody's feelings.
Q: I'm about to quit my current job for a new one. Leaving now will be pretty tough on my soon-to-be former co-workers. Should I feel bad that I'm leaving them in the lurch?
-Conscientious in Chester
A: Dude, they'll probably forget about you by Monday. Seriously, it's very considerate of you to think about your soon-to-be former co-workers, but as long as you're leaving on good terms and doing everything that is expected of you up until quitting time, that is the best way to leave. If you want to copy your face on the office copier a few dozen times as a leave-behind, that's cool. You always want to leave with a good ending. Just like in sports. You never know who you're going to team up with so always be professional and do your job.