DEAR ABBY: I'm a 27-year-old professional who works long hours at a hospital. Dating isn't easy for me, so I decided to try an online service. My first time online I recognized a co-worker I see on a regular basis and have always exchanged smiles with, but don't know personally. I wrote him a message just to say hi. I didn't say I was interested in him. I never heard back from him.

Since I sent that message he has checked my profile several times. But when he sees me in the hallways, he turns red and now just gives me half-smiles. I was waiting at the elevator with him the other day, but he was so embarrassed by the silence that I bailed and took the stairs.

He continues to smile, but I'm not sure what to say to him the next time I see him. I think it's rude that he didn't reply to my message -- even with a "See you around!" -- but I'm too embarrassed to do or say anything when I encounter him. Help! -- ON MY SHIFT IN OHIO

DEAR ON YOUR SHIFT: Your co-worker may not be particularly adept socially, or he may be reluctant to become involved with someone where he works. Please don't take his not responding to your email so personally. The next time you run into him in the hall, just say hello. If he has any manners at all, he'll return your greeting and it may melt the ice.

DEAR ABBY: I work for a national tax preparation business, and I have some advice for customers to make the experience better and more efficient:

1. If at all possible, leave the kids at home. At the very least, don't allow them to run around the office. We have sensitive equipment and paperwork that is not there to keep your kids entertained.

2. This is our busiest time of year. Lines can be long and clients are impatient, so please don't hand us a bag of receipts to add up. Plan ahead and do the addition yourself.

3. Before your appointment, ask what's needed to make the process as efficient as possible. There are many resources online to help you get organized.

4. If you have business expenses and mileage, have that information organized and ready.

5. Be certain you have received all your tax-related paperwork (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) before coming in. Being in a hurry will result in your owing the IRS or the state because the income wasn't completely reported. This small step can avoid many problems.

6. And, please don't be angry if you have been waiting and your preparer needs to step away for a short time. It's not unusual for us to work 10 to 12 hours a day helping customers. Like everyone else we occasionally need a break to take our eyes off the computer screen for a little bit, so be understanding.

We want to give you the best service possible and making it easier on us will accomplish this task. -- JULIE IN KEARNS, UTAH

DEAR JULIE: I hope readers will pay attention to your suggestions. Tax season is stressful for everyone involved, but particularly for tax preparation professionals. Being courteous, considerate and as organized as possible will relieve some of the strain not only for the person crunching the numbers, but also for the customer.

DEAR ABBY: "Darrel" and I have been married 28 years. I thought we had an easy, comfortable relationship. We have no children; it's just the two of us with a large family of furry animals. We don't take vacations together because one of us has to be home to care for the animals.

Last year Darrel took four trips to Las Vegas -- two for business and two for special sporting events. I'm beginning to get little nagging signals that he may not have been on these trips alone.

He shuts his phone off for hours at a time and changed the password on his computer after I had to get on it for a security update. The last time he went, he told me he had won two tickets in Las Vegas to a show, so I asked him to bring the extra one home so I could see it. When he returned, he didn't have it. He said he had misplaced it.

There are other things, too, and I don't know what to think. I don't want to hurt his feelings if there isn't anything going on, but I need to know. What do I do? -- WHAT HAPPENED IN VEGAS?

DEAR WHAT HAPPENED IN VEGAS: If your intuition is telling you that something is wrong, listen to it. Tell Darrel you're feeling insecure and why. Start going with him to Las Vegas. Hire a pet sitter if necessary. It will be money well spent. If your husband isn't open to it, hire a private investigator to tell you what's going on. Clearly, something is up.

DEAR ABBY: My 7-year-old son, "Kenny," is being bullied at school. He was punched so hard in the stomach that I had to get him medical care. I have called the school board and no one has done anything about it. What else can I do? Kenny is small for his age and weighs only 40 pounds. I'm worried for him. -- WORRIED ABOUT MY BOY IN TULSA

DEAR WORRIED: Assuming that you have already spoken to your son's teacher and the principal of Kenny's school, as well as having contacted the school board, your next step would be to discuss this with a lawyer. The fact that your son was hit so hard he needed medical attention should be all the proof he or she needs to help you deal with this.

DEAR ABBY: I have muscular dystrophy and am beginning to need my wheelchair full time. My friends and family are doing whatever they can to make their homes accessible so I am not left out of activities. They mean everything to me, and I depend on them a great deal.

My wheelchair can be unforgiving when going around doorways, hardwood flooring, etc. It's inevitable that I will damage something in someone's home and I will feel terrible about it. What should I do when this happens? I may not even know I did it. I can't fix every scratch I make or clean every track I leave on the rug. I want to be invited, but I also want to be a good guest. What do you think? -- PLANNING IN ADVANCE, COLUMBUS, OHIO

DEAR PLANNING IN ADVANCE: Because you are wisely planning in advance, this is a conversation you should have with your family and friends now, before the need arises. Explain your concerns and offer to pay for the repair of any damage caused by your wheelchair. I'm sure the offer will be appreciated, whether or not they take you up on it in the event of an accident.