LAST WEEK, a reader asked me a question on how to deal with a nosy office colleague inquiring about his salary. His nosy friend was apparently joking while trying to test his patience. If he’s joking, then this is what you should tell him: “Bloat your salary by as much as 50 percent and let him be green with envy.” You may be perplexed. How could a business journalist like yours truly prescribe a dishonest answer?