THINGS I WISH MY KIDS WOULD ASK ME

EDITOR'S NOTE: Barry Courter has a 23-year-old son who graduated from college last year and a 19-year-old daughter who is a freshman in college.

Q: Dad, how do you deal with people who are rude on the phone?

A: First, I never take it personally. Second, I let the person vent for a bit and then try to help them. Third, I remind myself that it is going to be a really funny story for coworkers. I do not let the person become personal or vulgar. When they do, I explain nicely that the conversation is over and hang up. Unless, they are clever in their vulgarity, in which case it becomes a bigger laugh for later. Never become upset or say something you will regret.