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Modern Guru

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Must a eulogy always whitewash a deceased’s true personality?

Ditch the euphemisms for a spin-free funeral, advises our Modern Guru.

  • Danny Katz

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A couple’s chitchat ruined a night out. What can make them stop?

The stakes are high, so pretend you’re in a musical, advises our Modern Guru.

  • Danny Katz

My 20-year-old is swiping my no-alcohol beer. Should I feel ripped off, or relieved?

Not only could you charge your son for drinking your alcohol, but you could add a surcharge for drinking at home, says our Modern Guru.

  • Danny Katz

Should you spend double the amount on a gift for friends with twins?

This requires a biological reckoning, says our Modern Guru. First, you must first check the babies for similarities ...

  • Danny Katz

My tourist cruise turned into a four-hour staring match. What should I have done?

Deal with an eyeballing stranger as you would a toddler on a plane, says our Modern Guru.

  • Danny Katz

Is it wrong to eavesdrop on someone detailing their intimate problems on the phone?

Someone whinging about their marital and sexual issues in full-volume, XXX-rated audio can be a lively way to pass the time, says our Modern Guru.

  • Danny Katz
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I find my husband’s nighttime habit to be unhygienic. He disagrees

Multitasking is an ingenious way of extending our limited brushing time, advises our Modern Guru.

  • Danny Katz
Playing ball in the back garden

How can I spur my kids to play in the backyard when the neighbour gets so cranky?

As it can turn a neighbour mildly psychopathic when kids regularly climb over a fence to get their ball, our Modern Guru suggests polite gestures are in order.

  • Danny Katz

Someone compared my baby to a corgi. Did I overreact?

Clearly, this person is not familiar with the one simple rule of commenting on strangers’ babies, notes our Modern Guru.

  • Danny Katz
Dealing with one-upmanship in conversation is fraught, but somewhat inevitable - especially where storytelling is involved.

Conversational one-upmanship gets me down. Is there anything I can do about it?

You cannot defeat a competitive one-upmanshipper, advises our Modern Guru. But if you’re faced with one, there’s a tactic you can use.

  • Danny Katz