THE QUESTION: R370: I work for an older, wealthy, Jewish woman. She is very bright and enthusiastic. I am taken aback, however, when she walks into our office and begins by criticizing everything, often before knowing what she’s looking at. I’ve been told this trait is typical of Jewish women. If there’s any truth to this, what might be helpful ...

THE QUESTION: R380: I’d like to know why black people think my husband is cool for marrying a “sister,” but at the same time think I’m a traitor to my race for not choosing a black man. Can anyone explain this double standard? POSTED JULY 21, 1998 L.S., 23, black female, Orlando, FL ANSWER 1: This problem is rather deep. ...

THE QUESTION: R390: I have a personal and professional goal of learning as much as possible about ethnic diversity. I work in Human Resources in a fairly diverse small company. I’m a white female and feel I need a black “mentor” of sorts whom I can ask questions of. But I’m afraid to approach one of my co-workers because I ...

THE QUESTION: R400: Do white people believe that all of the discussions about race make people of color feel bad about living in the United States? POSTED AUG. 7, 1998 Mafusa, African American <wawardjr@pacbell.net>, Rocklin, CA ANSWER 1: I don’t believe discussion of race issues makes people of color feel bad or uncomfortable – I think racism makes people feel ...

THE QUESTION: R410: How do blacks who have hair in beads or other tightly configured forms, such as some U.S. tennis stars and other media notables, clean their hair of perspiration, oils and dirt? POSTED AUG. 9, 1998 Robert, white <sml@tenforward.com>, Sequim, WA ANSWER 1: To wash my hair when it is in braids, I usually put an old pantyhose ...

THE QUESTION: R420: I have worked in several hospitals in areas with large Filipino populations. I have noted that many of the women bring lots of food and love to share with all the other Filipino staff on the floor, and will often included me. If this food sharing a cultural thing? POSTED AUG. 14, 1998 Darci, 31<darlink@hotmail.com>, San Diego, ...