Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/739920
S end your questions to deardebra@ renmedia.us or look for an anonymous question submis- sion form on Debra's online column at www.thejewishnews. com. DEAR DEBRA, I have a cousin here in town with whom I've always been close. We talk every week or so and see one another not infrequently. She has a habit that is all of a sudden bothering me more and more. Whenever we talk, she interrupts me in the middle of what I am sharing. And it's not just interrupting, but she sidetracks my train of thought by asking questions that take the conversation in a totally different direction. I imagine this is her way of expressing interest, but it drives me up a wall. I used to do something similar in conversations and have worked hard to break what I now realize is an annoy- ing and unintentionally rude habit. I find that I don't call her as often, but that doesn't seem fair. I do miss being with her. Is it wrong to expect her to break this habit just because I did? — Sidetracked DEAR SIDETRACKED, Conversation spoilers — interrupters, echoers, sidetracks, eye-wanderers — can indeed make a speaker feel unheard. Having reformed the inter- rupting habit, you could be hyper- aware and thus less tolerant. So extra points to you for realizing this and wanting to stay close to your cousin. I agree, avoiding her is not the answer. Start gently. The next time she begins with the hijacking ques- tions, say something along the lines of, "Great question, Cousin, but that's not where the story is going. Hang on and I'll get there!" Keep your tone light and loving and pick up where you left off. If — OK, when — she does it again, repeat the above or take it to the next level of assertion, such as, "Cousin, I know you want to know what hap- pened to me, but when you interrupt me and ask questions, I lose my train of thought." Again keep your tone light and loving. Be sure Cousin gets plenty of talking time as well and be sure you actively listen. Hopefully she won't get huffy and insulted by your gentle correct- ing. If she does, you just might have to put up with this tick of hers. But take heart, with you having planted the seed, she may grow more self-aware, as you did, and begin to interrupt less. DEAR DEBRA, Another High Holiday has come and gone and with it a lot of entertaining; I am ready to call it quits. We had 30 people for dinner over the holidays. No one offered to bring serving dishes to the table or to the kitchen after our meal; no one offered to help me clear. I'm not expecting my guests to wash dishes, but a few offers of help would have been great. I know some families hire someone to serve and clean, but that's just not our style or budget. What can I do to be sure this doesn't happen again? — Big Tzimmes DEAR TZIMMES, While it's always lovely to have our guests pitch in, guests are, by defini- tion, people you invite over to visit and/or dine with you and receive your hospitality. Some people like their guests to help; others don't want any- one in their kitchens. Since you seem to be in the first camp, at least when it comes to big dinners, have a game plan ready. When your guests accept your invitation and ask if they can bring anything, let them know that instead of bringing food or wine, you'd really appreciate their help serving the chick- en soup or kugel. Assign another guest or two to help you clear. It sounds like you had no family around the table because they would be the natural ones to help clear, scrape dishes, ready dessert for serving, etc. Enlist your husband as well and have him tell some of his buddies to lend a hand where you might need it. People aren't mind readers, so if you want a bit of pitching in, you're going to have to pitch it to your guests to lend a hand. Other ideas — you can change things around and make it casual and use paper plates for some or all of the meal. And don't write off hiring help. You don't have to get all fancy and expensive. Maybe there's a neighbor high school student who would love making a few extra dollars to help you clean up after your guests have gone home, well fed and appreciative. * Check out Dear Debra's latest venture at pictureaconversation.com. family focus » d e a r d e b r a 24 October 20 • 2016 Debra Darvick Conversation Spoiler Two Concerts Berlin Philharmonic Simon Rattle, conductor Saturday, November 12 // 8 pm Sunday, November 13 // 4 pm Hill Auditorium Philharmonic and music director Simon Rattle embark on their last US tour together, bringing two concerts to Ann Arbor. "Watching these players sweat their way through these symphonies, using every muscle to make them dramas of sight as well as sound...their commitment was palpable, their energy persuasive, their ability to communicate with one another superior." (New York Times) A Prelude Dinner, sponsored by Journeys International, precedes the Saturday evening performance. Reservations: 734.764.8489 ums.org 734.764.2538 PROGRAM (SAT 11/12) Boulez Mahler PROGRAM (SUN 11/13) Schoenberg Webern Berg Brahms Five Pieces for Orchestra, o p. 16 Six Pieces for Orchestra, o p. 6 Three Pieces for Orchestra, o p. 6 Symphony No. 2 in D Major, o p. 73 P R E S E N T I N G S P O N S O R Eugene and Emily Grant Family Foundation S U P PORTING SPONSOR M E D I A P A R T N E R S WGTE 91.3 FM WRCJ 90.9 FM F U N DED IN PART BY The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs Éclat Symphony No. 7 in e minor Details on related free educational and residency activities can be found at ums.org/berlin. 2115550