Ask Charles Barkley

Q: One thing that's always mystified me: what's the big appeal of manicures and pedicures?

— A Man's Man in Reading

A: Dude, have you ever gone someplace for a sandwich and the dude serving you behind the counter has fangs or gnarly fingernails? That's when you appreciate the appeal of a manicure and a pedicure. Seriously, good grooming is always a good practice — whether you go pay for it or handle the business on your own. If you don't have the time, patience, steady hand or clippers, go spend a few bucks to get it done and end the mystification.

Q: When my buddies and I play basketball, we basically do whatever we can get away with (short of hurting one another) to win — think Kevin Garnett, only slower, fatter and nowhere near as good. And nobody gets too upset. But when we golf, it's a capital crime if somebody tries to bend the rules. Why do you think it's so different when it comes to attitudes about the rules?

— A Rule-Bender in Northeast Philly

A: That's a good question, bro. My guess is basketball is a game you started playing back when you were kids and the attitude was anything goes, even to this day. But golf is a gentlemen's game that you were probably introduced to when you were a little older, supposedly wiser and more mature. That might be why you have a greater respect for the rules. Sounds to me though that you dudes like to fuss and fight and play with the rules rather than follow them — when you golf or ball. Either way, I don't know if I'd ever want to play in your games.