DEAR Jasminda, I’ve been invited to the staff Christmas party but the people going are hard partiers and I always end up being the designated driver. I’m aware there’s an expectation for me to remain under-the-limit to ferry all the guests home. I’m thinking I might not go for this reason. Harriet L. Dear Harriet, […]

DEAR Jasminda, LAST night (when I was sound asleep) my husband woke me about the mosquitoes in the room. He then searched (unsuccessfully) for the flyspray before trying other tactics. By the time he’d killed them, I was wide awake and stayed that way. What do I do to avoid this in the future, Katie […]

DEAR Jasminda, I’VE started going to a gym and there’s a man there that leaves various personal items on the equipment I want to use. His drink bottle is on one, his towel is on another and then he leaves his backpack on a third machine. What is the gym etiquette around this?  I only […]

DEAR Jasminda, I was recently being led to my medical appointment by a young intern when I accidentally broke wind. It was loud and it was pretty clear that I was the culprit. I am in my mid-fifties. I was mortified. Should I have said something to him? Brook S. Dear Brook, First of all, […]

DEAR Jasminda, OUR home was adorned with beautifully framed photographic memories of our travels and adventures. Over the past few visits from in-laws, these memories have all been replaced with watercolours. Is this something to embrace or something to mourn? Brett P. Dear Brett, What an unusual conundrum. Are you suggesting your in-laws are perhaps […]

DEAR Jasminda, A mutual friend often offers me job opportunities during social gatherings, but doesn’t mention the subject again until the next time we catch up. Should I take these offers seriously and seek further information, or brush them off? Katie L. Dear Katie, Social situations often involve social lubricants. Is your mutual friend half-tanked […]

DEAR Jasminda, I’ve told my husband he is sometimes insensitive in his responses, but he doesn’t seem to be able to change. Do you have any suggestions? He’s great in every other respect. Claudia Q. Dear Claudia, Firstly, I offer my condolences regarding your husband’s occasional insensitivity. People can be brash or unthinking at times […]

DEAR Jasminda, On my rostered day off last week I went for a day trip to the beach. After getting a bit too much sun, I rolled over and noticed Amy, who is a junior work colleague, swimming in the ocean with her kids. She was on a work from home day (approved by me). […]

DEAR Jasminda, Every time I look at the news there is a new tragedy unfolding or a new source of conflict. It’s actually getting to me. I feel that I’m in a constant state of worry wondering what will happen next. Do you have any ideas on how I can address this? Leonie B. Dear […]

DEAR Jasminda, My new girlfriend chats incessantly as soon as she wakes. I prefer to ease into the day. How can I get our morning routines in sync? Karl B. Dear Karl, I’m with you on this one. My husband’s mouth seems to wake up before the rest of him. From the moment his eyelids […]