Jean, 36
www.girlongrillaction.com
What's the best way to impress someone at a barbeque?
Nothing breaks the ice quicker than sticking a can of beer up a chicken's bum. A quick beer-can chicken recipe is a no-fail way to dazzle guests and tickle tummies.
My girlfriend still wears a necklace an ex gave her. It kind of makes me uncomfortable. Is there a way to not sound like a control freak and ask her to stop wearing it?
Oh pah-leeze. Take control — homegirl should not be wearing presents from exes. That's not a control-freak move, she's testing you. If anything, she should be flattered by your dedication.
My boyfriend loves to grill meat, and I'm a vegetarian. Is the relationship doomed?
No! As long as you're not the gag-at-the-whiff-of-meat type of vegetarian, or the free-the-gerbils sort, you should be fine. Designate a veggie-only area for you to work your veggie-grilling madness while he gets his fleshful fantasy side. So many grill peeps forget the veg! Slaw does not count.
What's the sexiest food to grill?
Peaches. Simple to grill, simple to prep, lovely to smell. Sexy to eat, especially with a dollop of crème fraiche in the middle topped with toasted walnuts.
I used to have a great relationship with my ex's mom, and I really miss her. Would it be weird to call her just to say hi?
Uh. Yeah. It's over. There are other boyfriends' moms in the sea. Delete all numbers of ex-boyfriends' moms you may have, as this may fly a nutjob flag for future boyfriends.
I met my boyfriend online. I'm fine with that, but he wants to make up a story about how we met. Should I just go along with him?
Online-hookup peeps are usually proud of how they met! You could press him for what his problem is. If you can't resolve, perhaps keep the story straight but gently omit the online part. "Yeah, we met in this empty room. We were chatting. Crazy, I know."
I just was contacted by an ex. He wants to meet up. I'm game, but I've gained twenty pounds since when we were dating. Am I obligated to tell him that?
It really depends on what your motivation is. Are we doing a little booty call? In which case, heck no, he'll do you up to forty pounds beyond last-known weight. If you're rekindling an old flame that blew out prematurely, you may want to allude to the gain. Also, grab some Spanx, they work magic.
Broad Manly, 35
www.mancaveblog.com
I knocked a few years off my age on a first date. Now that we're becoming serious, I want to set the record straight. What's the best way to do this without seeming like a psycho?
Go to a nice steakhouse or grill the perfect dinner yourself. Then as dinner progresses (don't forget the bottle of wine!) just mention that you have a small confession to make. As long as the food is good and it's really just "a few years," it shouldn't matter.
What's the best thing about dating a grillmaster?
We know how to handle things when it gets hot.
My boyfriend loves to grill meat, and I'm a vegetarian. Is the relationship doomed?
My wife is vegetarian and I love to grill meat as well. I have become quite adept at grilling a variety of vegetarian dishes. I would recommend tofu and mushroom skewers marinated in your favorite vinaigrette dressing.
My boyfriend and I cook together, but we get all competitive about it, and it usually ends in a fight. Any suggestions for how to keep the peace?
Two choices. One, divide the cooking up — you cook some items and he cooks other items. Stand by the rule that you cannot interfere with the other's cooking tasks. Two, cook naked. It's really hard to fight if you're both naked! If the first choice doesn't work try combining it with choice two.
What's the sexiest food to grill?
Peppers are the sexiest food to grill. They have a tendency to sweat on the grill a little, which, combined with the bright colors, just equals sexy.
My boyfriend and I were looking through childhood pictures of him, and I thought I was poking good-natured fun at how dorky he was then. He's not dorky at all now, but he seemed to get really offended. What's the best way to clear the air?
Share with him your most embarrassing photo from childhood. Make sure you look at least as dorky as he did in his and that should smooth things over.
I always seem to spill all over myself on a date. Any tips on how to create less mess?
Take a bib along. If you feel too dorky taking a bib along (and really, what adult wouldn't) then just dress in layers. That way, if you spill stuff all over your top layer, you can just take it off!
Sarah, 27
sarahspy.blogspot.com
My girlfriend still wears a necklace an ex gave her. It kind of makes me uncomfortable. Is there a way to not sound like a control freak and ask if she'd stop wearing it?
Dude, expensive jewelry is the only worthwhile thing I got out of my past relationships. She may (like me) be sporting a little spite with her bling. If you're really that bothered, gift her something bigger/shinier/more expensive.
What's the best thing about dating a grillmaster?
You get so adorably fat just in time for bathing-suit season.
My boyfriend loves to grill meat, and I'm a vegetarian. Is the relationship doomed?
I do know one cohabitating carnivore/vegan couple that's doing okay, as long as meathead doesn't ever touch her veggie-only pots and pans. Rules are such fun-killers, though. I'm pretty sure you're doomed.
I've been appointed the friend to pick up my best friend's stuff from her ex's apartment. What's the best way to minimize awkwardness?
You're gonna want to be fake-fighting on your cell phone the entire
time. Wave hello, mouth "Sorry," and then get the hell out of there
with that shopping bag o' CDs and panties.
A guy I've been dating invited me to his birthday party. I showed up drunk — and late. What's the best way to do damage control?
Oh, I've done this loads of times. Just get him drunker. And keep in
mind boys don't actually care about anything.
I always seem to spill all over myself on a date. Any tips on how to create less mess?
Clearly you have a drinking problem. Sort this out before attempting to share your life intimately with another human being. "Create less mess" indeed, my friend.
My coworkers all know I'm single, and they constantly try to set me up. How do I nicely let them know I'm not interested?
What you need is a totally unrealistic written list of demands for
potential blind dates. Item #1 should read: "I don't pay for
anything, ever."
Mike, 26
mikeryan7.blogspot.com
What's the best way to impress someone at a barbeque?
Bringing your own spatula is a great way to endear yourself to any barbeque enthusiast. Be mindful not to show up the grillmaster with any hotshot moves. You'll gain respect all while turning some heads.
What's the sexiest food to grill?
Nothing screams sex like a full rack of ribs. The secret is to cook them at a lower temperature for a longer time. When they're done, the meat will just melt off the bone.
I met my boyfriend online. I'm fine with that, but he wants to make up a story about how we met. Should I just go along with him?
Newsflash: internet dating is all the rage! Unless you guys met on To Catch a Predator, your friends and family will be fine with it. The last thing either of you wants to do is to get caught in an awkward lie down the road.
Things are going really well with the girl I'm dating, and she wants to meet my friends. They're kind of immature, and I'm afraid she'll be turned off by them, especially since I feel like we're still getting to know each other. What should I do?
Since your friends' immaturity is going to come out at some point anyway, it's better to confront it now. This will undoubtedly reflect on your maturity level, but it isn't something that you can continue to hide. She's going to figure it out once you fart in bed and trap her under the covers.
My coworkers all know I'm single, and they constantly try to set me up. How do I nicely let them know I'm not interested?
Admitting to a serious drug addiction will go a long way toward warding off potential matchmakers. Most people are scared off by nervous ticks and "the shakes." They will have a hell of a time finding someone suitable for you, and most likely cease trying.
Interviews by Anna Davies. Dating
Advice From... appears on Thursdays. Have questions for the general
public? Send them to .
Commentarium (1 Comment)
yum! this makes me hungry!!