DEAR ABBY: Every year, a co-worker brings her daughters to the office to sell Girl Scout cookies. The kids are adorable, and it's hard to say "no" because Mom hovers nearby as the girls approach each cubicle. Regardless of whether one cares to donate to the cause or not, it feels like Mom is forcing us into buying by doing this. What happened to the old "leave the order sheet at the reception desk" custom? Am I overreacting? -- SOURED ON SWEETS
DEAR SOURED: Yes. All you have to do is smile and say, "No, I'm sorry, sweethearts. I can't do it this year." Actually, you may be doing the girls a favor, because an important part of selling is learning to cope with disappointment when a customer says no.