Answers to your dating questions from comedian Ian Coburn, author of the ever-popular "God is a Woman: Dating Disasters”

Be warned: Ian’s not your mom, and he’ll tell it like it is! Send your questions to info@TheRealChicago.org or www.godisawoman.net and check out all the great book reviews on Amazon. “God is a Woman” is available at bookstores and all online booksellers.

Q: I really want to go back to school, but my husband, who already got his MBA two years ago, is against it and wants me to keep working until we decide to start a family soon. How do you think I should approach this? It's something I really want, and he's usually very understanding, until now. Do you think he likes having a Masters as the head of the household or something?
— M.K., 29
A: You’ll have to sit down and talk to the hubby on this one. Is he using his MBA? These days, a lot of people get them and they end up being of little use. In fact, with the economy in its current state, I have friends who get their MBAs, then lose their jobs because their employer feels they won’t be able to afford them. They then struggle finding another job because they are “overqualified” for what’s available. It’s rough out there. Your husband may simply be weighing the cost versus the benefits (he has an MBA already, so we must trust his superior skills with this higher math…). I’m sure you will reach a compromise; perhaps you can take a class or two at a time while still working, instead of going full-time. In the end, it’s really your call, but don’t dismiss your husband’s reasoning as he likes to have his degree as the head of the household. I doubt that’s the case. Was you going back to school something you discussed previously, when he was getting his MBA? Did he agree to it? If so, what’s changed for him? He owes it to you to stick to that agreement, if that is the case.

Q: I want to take my new boyfriend on a quick but romantic weekend getaway. Any ideas that won't break the bank or be too cheesy?
— Heather S., 30, Uptown
A: Hmm… call me and we’ll go sample a few places over the next few weekends to decide. Really, simply get out of the city. Hit a nice hotel with a pool and hot tub in the burbs with a theater and nice restaurant nearby. Stay there for the weekend. This is one of the cheapest yet most effective and relaxing getaways you can have.

Q: I've read your stuff for a while now, and you have an interesting take on things, one that a lot of people probably share but don't want to admit for some reason. So I ask of you this: What is your opinion of men and cologne? My ex-girlfriend hated men wearing cologne, but a girl I went out with last week mentioned how she liked my cologne about three times during dinner. Is it OK, but something where you can definitely have too much of a good thing?
— Patrick, 35, Lakeview
A: Sorry but I don’t spend much time smelling men. Make that no time, in fact. I like to wear cologne, but every now and then I’ve been known to put a little too much on. When you apply your cologne, spray a light mist in the air, then wave your wrists through it. I’ve seen women do that with perfume —spray a mist and then walk though it. Too funny (it does work, though). Your best bet is to just apply a little to one wrist, then rub the two wrists together. Rub a wrist behind your ears and on your chest. You could rub your neck with the wrist a little, too. By the way, unless your date was sitting close to you, if she could smell your cologne from across the table throughout dinner, you were wearing way too much. Wear less. The goal, after all, is to bring her in close, so wear just enough so that she’ll have to lean in to smell you. Then make your move. She shouldn’t be able to smell you over her food sitting in front of her!

Q: I'm terrible at getting birthday presents for people. There is a girl (who is a friend) I'm interested in, and I think it would be cool to show her how I feel by way of a really nice gift. Do you think that's a good way to do it? Any suggestions?
— Davis, 26, Lincoln Park
A: This is perhaps the dorkiest thing you can do. Not only that, but you’re bound to send her a message that will serve only to confuse and alarm her. Why would he get me this? Does he like me? If so, why hasn’t he ever just asked me out? Be clear; give her a box of condoms and tell her you’ll call her later. Don’t do anything out of the ordinary. Let her birthday come and go. Tell her on her birthday your gift is to take her to dinner to a restaurant of her choice. Now you’re not dropping a bit of a bomb on her on her birthday (when she won’t be focused on you at all), and you’re giving yourself some time with her to get together in the following week or two, where it’s just the two of you. See how it goes, order a lot of wine, and make a pass then or simply tell her you like her. (I’m always for the pass; it’s more confident, assertive and clear. You can always say, “I had to find out” if she’s not interested.) Or just get drunk with her on her birthday as part of the celebration and see what happens. But don’t buy her some really nice gift out of the blue. In all likelihood, it will simply come off as weird. Also, pick up a copy of “God,” as I cover the whole “friend-first” dynamics thoroughly. There is a lot of important info in there that is far too long for this column.