By Stefan Chapman, Advice Columnist

What’s the best way to tell a friend he or she is ugly?

– Oscar the Grouch

I’m glad you asked this question because there is nothing more awkward than having an unattractive friend.

I’ve even been in situations where an ugly friend wanted to know if she was attractive and I lied and felt terrible. So, the next day I went back to set things straight and told her exactly how she looked. She took it very well.

Most people lie multiple times to get out of trouble because it seems easier. The truth is if you tell your friend she’s ugly you’ll never have to revisit the subject of whether she’s attractive again.

Now, if you still feel uncomfortable with blatantly telling your friends they’re ugly, I have some other suggestions.

Try sending them some pretty flowers, and on the card tell them how the flowers don’t remind you of them. You could send them a “get well soon” card, and apologize to them because they never will.

Lastly, you could put a whole bunch of pictures of prettier people on their mirror, so they can see the difference.

I hope that with my advice your situation can get a little less ugly.

-Sincerely, Stefan

My best friend is less smart than me. Does this make me the better friend?

– Jack Farina

Many people might say your friend is the better friend because he doesn’t send in questions wondering if he’s the better friend. Not me though, because I know that your being smart definitely makes you the better friend.

Friendship is not about trustworthiness as much as it is about IQ. If you (being the smart one) tell everyone your friend’s secrets, but help him ace his math test, it cancels out the wrong you’ve done before.

If you really want to measure out your friendship then look at in terms of a weighted grade.

For example, 50 percent can be how well you’ve helped him on tests and quizzes, 45 percent can be how well you helped him on homework, and 5 percent can be how nice of a friend you are.

I’d encourage you to keep being smart because if you’re not, no one’s going to want to be your friend.

-Sincerely, Stefan

I am a senior and I am about to start my college applications. My problem is that my mom won’t stop helping me.

I find her on the computer applying me to different colleges and I tell her that I want to do it but she doesn’t stop.

I  told her that I don’t want her help and she continues to do it. How can I get the message across to her?

– Brian Souza

Well, the best way to communicate is usually through talking, but if she’s like a lot of moms she won’t listen to you.

Moms want to be there when you finally do get accepted to the college of their dreams.  All her behavior is driven by love.

If you still feel strongly about sending out your own applications, try using some paradoxes.  Make her want you to stay at home.

When you leave the house say things like “Bye for now, Mom, but soon it will be forever.”

Give her really long hugs and say, “Every hug feels like the last time.”

Skype her from the bedroom, and suggest that this is how communication will be when you go to college.

Don’t overdo it though because then she might never let you go. Brian, as long as your mother keeps applying for you, you won’t be able to apply yourself.

-Sincerely, Stefan