DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I am happy my wife is getting to be close friends with my two sisters, but sometimes it feels like they’re all ganging up on me. Whenever they’re together, they are all quick to point out anything I do wrong and keep coming up with ways to fix what they think is wrong with me.

Is it best to ignore it all or do I say something? --- FEELING BEAT UP

DEAR FEELING BEAT UP: Ignoring something in the hope that it will go away is not always the soundest tactic ─ especially if it’s so clearly upsetting you. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, it’s possible they may not realize their behavior is becoming such a problem from your point of view.

Starting with your wife, and trying not to sound whiny, you need to let each of the ladies know you don’t appreciate their three against one sessions. And, until you have a sense of whether or not your message is getting through, try to avoid putting yourself in situations that give them the chance to collectively launch another session of New Husband Makeover.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I have never complained out loud to my son about what he chooses to do to his body. He has had his ears, nose, and even, for a while, his tongue pierced. A couple years ago he started getting tattoos, which I used to think was kind of cool, but now he has so many, he can no longer cover them with a long-sleeved shirt and I worry about his employment potential. The piercings can be removed when he goes for interviews, but the vine tat that comes all the way up his neck and the vein traces on his hands can’t.

He graduates this May from college and he needs to get something that pays enough to support himself. He tells me it’s no longer a big deal to have tattoos, but I’m thinking he may be underestimating their effect. Am I worrying for nothing? --- DAD OF THE TATTOOED MAN

DEAR DAD OF THE TATTOOED MAN: You might be, or, you might not. Given how ubiquitous body art has become, your son may not have a difficult time making a living because of his.

However, in spite of a quickly growing acceptance, some professions and fields (including military, law enforcement, legal or finance firms, healthcare, to name a few) still generally have restrictions against visible tattoos and certain piercings.

If your son’s looking at more conservative employers, suggest to him that, when possible, before an interview he should explore a company’s policy on tattoos and piercings to avoid any surprises.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: The guy I share an office with just broke up with his long-term girlfriend, but the real problem is his ex works in the same department as us, and it wasn’t a pretty break-up. I know it hasn’t been easy for either of them, but it’s getting pretty bad for the rest of us to be around these two. They never miss a chance to get in a shot at each other, publicly and privately. Should we go to the boss with this, or just ignore it and hope it goes away? --- STAYING OUT OF IT

DEAR STAYING OUT OF IT: Maybe it’s time for an in-office intervention. Your officemate and his ex need to know that the rest of the department doesn’t care to be in their private no man’s land. If you believe getting your boss involved will help drive the point home, then go for it. If on the other hand it could lead to more trouble for the exs, I don’t see any reason to pull him or her into the fray.