My girlfriend and I live together and she cooks a lot for me. I appreciate that she does it because she’s very passionate about cooking, but most of the time, her food is abysmal. I’d trade her lasagna for a Big Mac any day. I eat her food to not disappoint her but I don’t know how much longer I can go on. How can I tell her that her food sucks in a nice way?
-No Home-Cooked Food For Me

Why not cook your own damn food. Geez.

Okay, okay, I realise that’s not helpful. Tell her the truth. Your great girlfriend deserves it. Be nice about it, call her cutesy names, suggest that you cook together more often, point out where she can do better. Better yet, why not ask her which would be better: you leveling with her about the damage her food is doing to your intestinal tract or you calling things off because you can’t eat her food anymore?

I don’t know what it is about me but I hate it when guys grunt during sex. Most of the guys I hook up with it tend to grunt when they’re ‘in the moment’ and it’s almost always an instant turn-off. I want to clamp my hands over their mouths and tell them to shut it but I’m afraid of ruining the moment for them. Guys should be silent and ‘speak’ with their hands instead, right? Or am I just being a brat?
-Bratty in Bed

Well, to each his own, I suppose. Personally, I’d love my man to grunt in bed (I’m very much into caveman behaviour). It sounds like (and you may correct me if I’m wrong) that this is just a general turn-off with various men that you have slept with.
And if your problem is with a random guy, instead of, say, a beloved partner, then just go ahead and tell him/them. What have you got to lose? A really satisfying time in bed, that’s what.

And if your problem is with a boyfriend, my advice is similar. Tell him, calmly but determinedly, that noises are a turn-off. The next time he starts to grunt during sex, stop. Don't pull away, don't scowl or make a face. Just stop whatever it is you're doing and say in an un-sexy tone, "That sound you're making is a huge turn-off.” Wait for a suitable response and then pick up where you left off. Repeat as necessary until the grunts are but a distant memory.

Got a problem? Send your questions for Sarah W to editor@timeoutkl.com and we'll make sure she answers them every Thursday.