Hi, Carolyn:

How should I respond when svelte friends pat their (small or nonexistent) bellies and announce they’re dieting to get rid of their “belly pooch”?

I’m an average-size, 30-something woman with a normal “post-baby, not fat, but certainly not flat tummy,” and happy with myself the way I am. Not only is it annoying to listen to my smart, awesome gal pals hate on themselves, it’s insulting: If they’re calling themselves fat, they’re calling me and others fat, too. How can I put a kibosh on the self-hate conversations?

— Body Hate

So many ways to approach this.

There’s concern: “Why the self-hate? How ’bout we just not pick at our looks.”

Humor: “Yes, good, I was going to say something.”

The verbal forehead-flick: “Perhaps you should look at your audience before you call that thing a ‘pooch.’ ”

Eye-rolling all of these into one: “Oh, brother.”

And this, one of my favorites: (Silence.)

And, there’s the big picture: Are these smart, awesome people rife with self-doubt, or did you look so hard for smarts and awesomeness that you missed the vanity?

Expressing yourself clearly on a matter of principle is almost as rewarding as a flat tummy.

Dear Carolyn:

While talking to a friend, he might mention he has a home-based business. When I ask what he does, I get evasive answers like “Let me come over and tell you about it,” “Let’s go to lunch and I’ll explain it,” “I’ll show you a video,” etc. Sometimes I get drawn into setting a date.

By the time I realize he wants to sell me something, I’m deep into excuses about why there isn’t a good time to meet with him. I’d like a suggestion for what to say the next time this happens. I don’t want to be rude; but I don’t want to waste my time, either.

— Tired of Sales Spiels

There is nothing wrong with saying no to a sales pitch. It might be harder among friends, but the friendship confers no special obligation.

In response to one of those “I’ll show you a video” answers: “Oh, that’s not necessary, thanks.” You could add: “Though I’d love to have lunch for the sake of lunch.”

If the friend presses, or if you’ve already been trapped into meeting with him: “Oops, I didn’t realize what this was about — I’m sorry, I don’t do business with friends.”

Such clarity isn’t rude, it’s a show of respect. If a friend presses you to the point that you’re uncomfortable, that is rude.

Dear Carolyn:

I have a former client who I have just learned has mid-stage Alzheimer’s. I worked for him and his extended family for more than 20 years. We parted on friendly terms. I would love to see him and his family again, but don’t want to be an added burden on his wife. What should I do?

— Anonymous

Send the wife a note or, even better given the ease of responding, an email. Such low-obligation contact is an emotional lifesaver for people dealing with a major illness. Plus, her response will likely tell you whether a visit would be a blessing or a chore.

Email Carolyn Hax at tellme@washpost.com, or chat with her online at noon Eastern time each Friday at www.washingtonpost.com.

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