Jessie Shumat of Patrick Sullivan's

Romance problems? Money worries? Family or friends driving you nuts? Body image issues? Who better to ask for advice than bartenders, who have to listen to our insufferable whining and litany of complaints on a nightly basis? They've heard it all, so we're seeking their wise counsel. If you have a question for our rotating advisers, send them to dawson@knoxvoice.com, and we'll try to get you the help you so desperately need.

(Knoxville Voice cautions readers that participating bartenders are not licensed therapists, and most likely not even sober, so if you take their advice and screw up your life even worse than it already is, that's all on you.)

Jessie Shumat bartends at Old City triumvirate institutions Patrick Sullivan's, Manhattan's and Back Room BBQ.

I'm having some trouble with a co-worker. She's really aggressive, annoying and talkative, and often invades my space. I don't want to be rude to her, and management seems uninterested in dealing with this issue. What should I do?

That's funny because I'm having to deal with this right now. It's a hard question. Being realistic, though, you just have to pull them aside and talk with them. The direct approach is best.

Have you done this yourself?

Yes, many times.

How did it work out?

Good and bad, but most of the time good. We can understand each other now. It's worth risking the awkwardness; you can't let awkwardness get in the way.

I have a friend who's on the way to becoming an alcoholic. I'm kind of worried about her, but at the same time, I love going out with her and partying. I don't want to lose my best drinking buddy! What should I do?

As a friend, you should definitely take care of it. You can always get other drinking buddies. You can look next to you at the bar and make a friend.

Have you ever had to do this?

Yeah, I had to stop hanging out with this person, but she got the hint and came out of it, and she's fine now.

I really fear getting old. What do you think the greatest tragedy of growing old is?

I haven't experienced it yet — I'm only 23 — but probably not being as resilient to illness or hangovers.

Will the alcohol in Bacardi 151 kill the bacteria in a raw egg if they're mixed in a shot?

I've never heard of that. Well, I don't know the answer, but a lot of people eat raw eggs anyway, like in Rocky, so it would probably be OK.