Questions of General Interest (Read)

[Dear Abi]

Question #1
What I've learned from this season's "American Idol" auditions: It's OK to be fat and ugly if you're a man, but not if you're a woman.

Answer
You mean you didn't know that before? Wow, what rock have you been hiding under?
You probably don't know this but, if you're an actor, it's also OK to be old and dried up in Hollywood. But not if you're a woman (to borrow your own words). An average 30 yr old actress in Hollywood has to fix her face, her boobs, her nose etc or she's history. That's Hollywood for you.

Question #2
Last year I got a Christmas bonus. This year I got nothing. I felt like not getting one was a vote of no confidence. I want to say something to my boss. Dear Abi, what would you recommend?

Answer
A bonus is a gift. That's why it's called a bonus, not a you-get-this-every-year-no-matter-what-check. Bottom line, never assume you'll get a bonue.