Q: One of our coworkers is obnoxious when she talks about her husband. The minute she opens her mouth about him, she uses every exaggerated and overrated descriptive imaginable, like handsome, beautiful, intelligent, generous, important and so on — it makes us gag. We don't know whether she is trying to talk herself into thinking those things or if a zombie rules her brain. Whatever the reason, we need her to shut up.

A: Sarcasm might be fun such as, "If you're trying to sell him to us, we're not interested," but it is not the way to say there's a serious problem here. For a more business-like and firm approach, tell her conversation about her husband disrupts your focus and you'd appreciate business conversation only. If all your coworkers make similar requests, she will get the message... unless a zombie does rule her brain.

WHEN IT MAKES NO SENSE, LISTEN LIKE A DETECTIVE

Q: I love my job and I want to keep it. When I interviewed, I was told all I had to do for baking. It sounded great, was everything I had done before, so I took it. The company pays more than my last one, so I am very happy I got the job.

My boss has added another requirement. The company has a warehouse where it stores boxes of stable ingredients. One of the other workers used to drive there to pick up what we needed, but he left. I've been asked to do it now, so I agreed. I am not a weakling, but I am not someone who could work as a mover, either. The boxes are heavy, and the amount we need determines how much lifting and carrying to the van I have to do. I live on coffee for the energy, but I have no desire to become a body builder. I don't want to complain since I am still new. What can I ask for and have a good chance of getting without seeming like I'm entitled, which is a turnoff to employers?

A: Entitlement is more than just a turnoff; it's a sign that the person who feels entitled will be difficult to handle regardless of the issue. Questioning a change in job duties or requirements, though, does not signal "entitlement." Your attitude and manner in how you approach your boss is what will make the difference in a positive or negative response. Based on you liking and wanting to keep the job, ask your boss if you could share this responsibility with one of your co-workers, or if you can adjust the system in retrieving the boxes, going more often and picking up fewer things. Most cooking or baking establishments order products when needed, so it sounds like there is more to the situation you haven't been told.

Many people don't deliver complete stories; they give immediate directions to a person, leaving out the explanation about what caused or led up to the situation. Sometimes explanations are unnecessary, but having food storage inconveniently located raises questions. If the owner has a surplus of ingredients due to someone's mistakes in ordering, perhaps this additional storage is temporary. If this type of ordering is intended, it may signal faulty business management, which might affect your job in the long run.

When asking questions, do so with curiosity in your tone, not judgment. If the owner gives you foggy answers, he or she might not have the time to talk, but also might not want you to know the background on the situation. It's up to you to listen to what's said, and to think about what's not included. Asking a question doesn't always lead to its answer or the whole picture. Regardless of the level of your job, thinking like a detective will help you forecast your future with the company.

Email all questions to LindseyNovak@yahoo.com. For more about her, visit www.lindseyparkernovak.com or follow her on Twitter @TheLindseyNovak and Facebook at Lindsey.Novak.12. For past columns, visit Creators Syndicate Website at www.creators.com.