The Slice: In short, it’s about the neck

A reader took it upon himself to explain certain women’s fondness for short hairstyles.

Has nothing to do with manageability, he said.

“It’s all about knowing you have a beautiful nape.”

Today’s member of the Lettermen’s Club: “I’ve never, ever responded to one of your questions but faithfully read your column daily,” wrote Bob Wellman of Chewelah.

He saw the question about how many local men older than 50 still have their high school letter jackets. The 1969 graduate of Rogers High School reported that he has his much-worn letter sweater, earned by playing varsity football and baseball.

Wellman noted that he can still wear it. “And button it all the way.”

Another reality-check holiday memory: A longtime correspondent shared a Thanksgiving scar.

Her family had a tradition of saying the classic “Bless us O Lord, and these thy gifts …” grace before Thanksgiving dinner.

“Until the Thanksgiving my brother asked to say the before-meal prayer, and used it as a chance to let our Catholic family know that he was now a screaming right-wing evangelistic born-again. He went on and on with his prayer, as people began to squirm, exchange glances and raised eyebrows, and finally a sigh of relief when he finished.

“It probably would have been fine, despite the cold food, except he continued to make observations on the superiority of his newfound religion, the inadequacies of our family religion, and even began questioning the faith, beliefs, and, of course, politics of some of us. My parents were hurt, the rest of us were pissed, and the Thanksgiving meal was awkward. … Familial relations have never been the same.”

Like sand through the hour glass: “Has this happened to you?” wrote Rick Koterba. “Someone who is telling you a story finally says, ‘To make a long story short,’ and you think to yourself, ‘Too late.’ ”

Today’s Slice question: Are people whose work is evaluated/measured objectively happier than those whose work is evaluated subjectively?