Dear Agony Uncle, In the last week I have seen two local supermarkets—a Coles and a Woolworths—stocking hot cross buns on their shelves.  We’ve barely put the Christmas decorations away and they are pushing Easter consumption on us.  It’s an affront! Any thoughts? Hopping Mad, Abbotsford Dear Hopping Mad, Premature seasonal merchandising pains me to [...]

Here are some of the week’s briefer questions for your Agony Uncle (this week with a pair of pineapple-coloured football shorts). For purposes of establishing a wedding list headcount, at what age do children add to the tally? Alex E., Surry Hills As soon as the child can no longer be stashed in a small confined space [...]

Here are some of the week’s diminutive questions for your Agony Uncle (paired with a delightful picture of a pair of culottes). What’s the best way to quickly prepare for job interviews? Candice, Ann Arbor Scope out the company’s website and annual report. For added knowledge, set up camp outside their office in disguised as a [...]

Dear Agony Uncle, I agreed to receive a friend’s mail while she lives the highlife on a super yacht off the coast of Antigua. While I respect her privacy, I’ve noticed that letters have arrived from debt collection agencies. I’ve tried to contact and inform her but she hasn’t replied to my e-mail. Am I [...]

Dear Agony Uncle, We currently have a temp working in our office and her telephone manner leaves a lot to be desired. What should I tell her to answer the phone correctly? Temporary Insanity, Dandenong North Dear Temporary Insanity, Unfortunately with temporary and permanent staff alike, proper phone manner is not something instilled at birth; [...]

We’re excited about the first In Short of the year where your Agony Uncle responds to some of the shorter but still important questions of the week. What are the chances of violence and profanity being eliminated from novels? Joey J., American Fork, UT As long as Jersey Shore cast members are receiving book deals, [...]

Dear Agony Uncle, One of my friends messaged me on Grindr and sent me his photo without knowing it was me. I choose to disguise my identity for these exact reasons, and now I feel I should say something. What should I do? Grindr Grounded, Darlinghurst Dear Grindr Grounded, The next wave in slutiness, Grindr is the [...]

Dear Agony Uncle, I literally don’t know when to use the word ‘literally’ correctly. I’m sure there are literally hundreds of others out there also. Help! Literally Minded, Melbourne Dear Literally Minded, Stylist, Rachel Zoe may be able to throw a look together like nobody else, but she’s not exactly known for her oratory skills. [...]

Dear Agony Uncle, How can I turn my man into a gentleman without just forcing myself through doors before him? Wiley and Feminine, Adelaide Dear Wiley and Feminine, Unfortunately men these days are far less gentle and a whole lot more like a slug to the head with a leg of cold beef. From previous [...]

Dear Agony Uncle, I was recently on a date and at the conclusion of the meal, he pulled out a Shop-A-Docket coupon to pay for the bill. I was quite shocked, and although he didn’t do anything wrong per se, in doing so he indicated that he would always be frugal if we were to [...]