DEAR ABBY: I have a wonderful hairdresser who helps not only me but also many of my friends and family members. She's the sole support for her family and the sweetest person you could ever meet. The issue is her sense of time.
There's no problem if you're the first or second appointment of the day, but after that she runs further and further behind. Yesterday, it took my frail mother-in-law 3 1/2 hours to get her hair done because of the wait time. I was the first appointment at 7:30 a.m. and she didn't make it into the shop until 7:40. How can I help her understand she's driving her customers away without offending her? -- CUTTING TIME IN UTAH
DEAR CUTTING TIME: Your hairdresser may be good at styling hair but it appears she's not a very good businesswoman. If she's losing customers because she manages her schedule so poorly, tell her why. You will be doing her a favor. And please, before you bring your frail mother-in-law in for another appointment, call to find out how late the woman is running before letting your mother-in-law sit for 3 1/2 hours before even seeing a shampoo bowl.