Dear Janice,

My friend believes she is a brilliant chanter, but she’s bloody awful!

One night she blasted out a drunken rendition of Proud Mary and the girls said she was brilliant, but only because everyone was drunk.

I’m not exaggerating when I say she has ruined many a good night with her high-pitched screeching.

Now somehow, she has landed a place in a choir.

She asked what I thought of her version of Silent Night, and cowardly I said she just need to more practice, but she took this the wrong way and has put herself forward for a solo spot at the Town Hall concert.

She does not have the voice of an angel, so I don’t want her to be humiliated in front of hundreds of people, but what can I do?

Sharon.

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Dear Sharon, Many people worry that expressing their true thoughts might alienate others or lead to negative outcomes in relationships, but in your case, not saying how your truly feel may well lead to your friend disgracing herself bigtime.

Experiences are exacerbated in today’s world because almost everywhere, someone is videoing what is going on and launching it on social media. So, what would be four minutes of embarrassment, could lead to a lifetime of humiliation for your deluded friend.

If you can’t pluck up the courage to be honest, then I imagine any good choirmaster has the ability to recognise the pitch accuracy, rhythm, enunciation and tone of his/her choristers therefore I very much doubt she will ever secure a solo position.

You could perhaps suggest that someone buys her a block of singing lessons for Christmas!

Dear Janice,

I happened to mention at a family do that I was expanding my business and will need extra staff.

My sister-in-law jumped right in and said she would love to work in my coffee shop as she needed extra cash, especially in the run up to Christmas.

The problem is that she is a lazy layabout, who always looks as though she has just rolled out of bed.

She is hostile, curt and rude, and certainly not someone who should be customer facing.

As I have two vacant positions, it’s even more difficult to find a reasonable excuse to refuse her.

What can I say?

Julie.

Dear Julie, Working with family can be testing, even with the best of employees, and long after the work relationship has ended, acrimoniously or not, family ties are always there.

Is there a position behind the scenes where she doesn’t have to deal with customers? Perhaps the kitchen, office work, cash and carry duties etc. Could you supply a uniform so that she is smart and in line with the others?

If the answer is no, then lie.

Tell her an agency has supplied trained staff and if anything crops up, she’ll be next on your list.

Running a business is tough enough these days without carrying people. Good luck!

Got a question for our agony aunt? Email askjanice@glasgowtimes.co.uk