This Is a Public Service

You’re walking around with spinach in your teeth. You would want to be told, but no one wants to be the one to tell you. Sometimes, being direct and honest is the hardest, and kindest, thing to do. I'm here to help.

I am determined to say the thing no one wants to say. I will, in fact, say for you the thing you don't want to say.

Write to me at SpinachInYourTeeth@gmail.com and I will send an e mail to your designated recipient telling him or her just what small flaw should be changed. The e mail will appear like this:

Dear Bob,

Someone who cares about you wants you to know that you have bad breath. Your friend wants to alert you without embarrassing you or hurting your relationship. While this might be hard to hear, your friend thinks you would benefit from knowing this.

Please take this e mail in the spirit it was intended—to help, not hurt, you.

Best, YouHaveSpinachInYourTeeth.blogspot.com

In order to prevent cruelty and abuse, you may only choose from the list of issues provided. You can suggest more maladies be added to the list by e mailing your suggestions to me.

The items on the list were chosen carefully: they are all issues that can be fixed simply by knowing they exist. None of these issues require a longer conversation, or outside intervention. For example, "you drink too much" is not on the list, because this is not an issue that can necessarily be solved easily, without outside intervention.

Please note I will not send multiple e mails to the same person. This is a public service, not a vehicle for anonymous harassment.

To get started, send me an e mail stating:
Recipient's name
Recipient's e mail
The issue on the list to which you wish to call attention
What to write in the subject line that would get your friend to read it. This should be something specific about this person so the e mail will be read and not deleted. For example, your subject could be "Your red kitten shirt" if that's something distinctive, that the recipient would recognize.

Choose the issue you wish to call attention to:

Your apartment smells bad

You are too attached to your cell phone

You are too stingy with money

You are an unsafe driver

You brag too much

You dress inappropriately for work

You eat too loudly

You forward too many e mails

You gossip too much

You have bad breath

You have bad table manners

You have body odor

You interrupt while others are talking

You namedrop too much

You speak too harshly to your partner

You spit when you talk

You talk about your kid(s) too much

You talk about your pet(s) too much

You talk too much

You talk too loudly

You use too much profanity

You wear clothing that is too tight

You wear too much makeup

You would look better bald than with your hairpiece

Once you send me an e mail, your friend will be contacted soon thereafter, probably within 48 hours. In the meanwhile, consider saying something yourself. It’s not easy, but it’s the act of a friend.