My Boyfriend Is a Honking Goose by John Gray on Creators.com

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My Boyfriend Is a Honking Goose

Dear John: I'm in my late 20s. Currently, I'm dating a really sweet guy. My problem: When he blows his nose — which is often — he sounds like a honking goose. It's gotten to the point where I find it annoying. Your opinion counts, because maybe I just being —Too Sensitive, in Raleigh, N.C.

Dear Too Sensitive: Obviously, he has allergies — poor guy. (I do, too.) You are definitely in stage 2 of dating, when the giddiness of a new relationship is replaced by an assessment of those niggling traits we all have, and it is coming in loud and clear (pun intended) that his honking bugs you.

But if that is his only fault, I'd say he's a keeper. Solution: In a gentle manner, make him aware of it (I'd ditch the "goose" analogy.), and suggest that he blow his nose in a gentler manner. The goal is to lose the mucus, not the relationship. This way, you both win.

Dear John: My company has an empty office right next to my cubicle. Every now and then a co-worker will go in there to take a nap or to eat a quiet lunch. No problems there, right? Well, recently, two of them — one male, one female — have been going in there for an hour or so around noon and locking the door behind them.

As for the sounds coming out of there — well, let me put it this way: You'd hear the same ones in a hotel room! I hate to be a snitch, because they'll know the complaint came from me. But — What Should I Do? in New York City, N.Y.

Dear What Should I Do: You're right: an empty office in a place of employment is not a hotel room. If they want to have a noontime affair, they needn't spoil your lunch. If you don't want to snitch on them, mention to your boss that the traffic into that office has been keeping you from doing your work, and ask if he can keep it locked. That way, you get the results you want and your passionate co-workers can find some other place to hang or sleep.

John Gray is the author of "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus." Visit his website, http://www.marsvenus.com, for advice on dating, marriage, parenting, romance and workplace issues. Or e-mail him at comments@marsvenus.com. To find out more about John Gray and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Comments

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LW1: Can't you just give him an incredulous look every time he does it? Sometimes a look can say a lot.

LW2: Lock the door then close it. Problem solved. I do have to point out that you sound stupid caring about these dirt bags finding out you snitched. How old are you?

Comment: #1
Posted by: Diana
Sun Jan 29, 2012 2:06 PM

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LW1: Many, many people are in a negative feedback mode with their nasal problems -- meaning, their attempts to fix the stuffiness only inflames the nasal passages and creates more mucus. First, your bf needs to be evaluated by a specialist. Get his primary care provider to refer him to an ENT doctor. Make sure there is nothing serious going on. Then, the bf has to change how he blows his nose. As JG says, blow gently. It's a habit hard to break, but he can do it.
Now we move to one of my pet peeves. Many nose blowers have no idea how disgusting, ill-mannered, and clueless they seem. People should not be blowing their noses in close proximity to others. Have some consideration and seek some degree of privacy: step aside, go into the bathroom or another room, leave the table, etc. Thank you.

Comment: #2
Posted by: Claude
Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:28 AM

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