Ask Emily: Legitimate complaint
By Casey Gillis on Apr. 10, 2008
Dear Emily: I went to a late-night movie the other day, and a couple had brought their young son (around age 7, I think). The kid was playing a hand-held video game during the movie, which was very distracting. The game didn’t make any noise, but still, it was annoying. My girlfriend told me just to ignore the kid and watch the movie, but I couldn’t help but let it bug me. Do I have a legitimate complaint here?
- Messed up movie
Dear Messed up movie: Parents shouldn’t bring their young children to movies obviously not intended for them. First, it’s irresponsible parenting. A video game isn’t enough to keep the child from seeing the violence, hearing the profanity or watching the “adult situations” flashing across the giant screen. And second, it is unfair to the other patrons. I certainly don’t want to see a child pounding away at a videogame out of the corner of my eye when I just paid a small fortune to see the movie in the first place. You definitely have a legitimate complaint, and maybe the solution is to give the couple the name of a good babysitter next time.
Dear Emily: I casually mentioned to my neighbor that I am having a garage sale next week. Next thing I know she is bringing over some of her trash as a “donation” to my sale. She said she didn’t want any money for the items, but that’s not what I’m worried about because the stuff is so old and ragged I’m sure it won’t sell. I’m having a sale to get rid of some junk, not collect more. And I feel she is just trying to pass along her things to me so she won’t have to deal with them. Should I return the items and just tell her I don’t need them?
- Outraged by rubbish
Dear Outraged by rubbish: Don’t return the items before your sale; use them to your advantage. Now instead of advertising a garage sale, you can attract more buyers by advertising a block sale. Ask your other neighbors for some items, too, while you’re at it. And if the items don’t sell, don’t worry about it. Just politely return them to your neighbor and explain you didn’t feel right keeping them and thought she could either try to sell them again herself or donate them someplace.
Dear Emily: I am lining up some job interviews and need to buy a suit. My brother told me not to wear black because it makes people think of funerals, but I always thought black was sort of a “power color.” Is there a new trend I don’t know about, or should I stick with the classics?
- Back to Black
Dear Back to Black: There are some who think a black suit is too severe and gives off more of an unapproachable vibe, rather than one of confidence. But if you do your research, you’ll find that experts still consider the classic black suit the way to go for an interview. It commands authority and gives the appearance of strength and leadership. Sure, that’s a lot for your wardrobe to say, but just look around corporate America to know that it’s true. When you picture a professional in a position that demands respect, like a company CEO, a trial lawyer or the President of the United States, what do you picture them wearing? Most likely, it’s not taupe or sky blue. If you are worried about being too dramatic, you can always soften a dark suit up with a pale colored shirt underneath.
COMMENTS