By CAROLINE SPOSTO

Dear Caroline,

Every now and again, when the subject of age comes up, someone asks me, “How old do you think I am?”

I always feel put on the spot.

Any thoughts about how I field that question?

…Taken Aback in Tijuana

Dear Taken Aback,

You’re not under oath.

Just fire back a number that is about 10 years lower than your actual mental estimate. The inquisitor will be happy because your answer is what they were looking for.

As a wise Inuit matriarch once said in Alaska, “When someone is fishing for compliments, those compliments are usually caught in shallow water.”

Speaking of fishing, I hope this answer gets you off the hook.

Caroline

Do you have a problem that’s been on your mind for a while? Send it to: questionforcaroline@gmail.com.