Tia Juana will cheerfully provide advice for anyone that asks. Just mail your questions to “Ask Tia Juana” at PO Box 8, Van Horn, Texas 79855. All questions will remain anonymous unless there is a chance for extortion. Disclaimer: Tia Juana is not a licensed counselor or therapist and none of the advice should be considered professional.
Dear Tia,
I know I’m not the only one that is bothered by people constantly sniffling whenever they have a cold or allergies. It’s like fingernails on a chalkboard… the constant sniff, sniff, sniff, with an occasional snort. As bad as this is, it is even worse when I am eating and the sniffler snorts a totally disgusting sound trying to open their sinuses, and killing my appetite. I am tempted to take a bunch of Kleenex and stuff them up their nose. How can I politely tell the sniffler that they are disgusting?
Snot funny
Dear Snot,
Few sounds are as annoying or disgusting as the sound of sniffling under any circumstance. Most of the time, the offender probably is not even aware that he is sniffling, much less that the sound is gross. Try the nonconfrontational approach, by voicing some compassion for their cold or allergy problem and offer them some Kleenex. Set an example by excusing yourself from the table to blow your nose in the hopes that the sniffler will take the hint. Good luck!
