DEAR ABBY: My husband, who has a beautiful head of dark curly hair, decided to let it grow. It is now about halfway down his back. Sometimes he braids it or pulls it into a ponytail. Other times he wears it down and it falls loose. The problem is, I can't bear to look at him.

He has always been clean-cut and had short hair. But as time has gone on and many of his friends have begun losing their hair, he says he wants to grow his out while he can.

I know that in the grand scheme of life, hair shouldn't be an issue, but I can't seem to get past this. I think it's because of the way he used to look. I can't talk to him about it because he really likes his hair. This feels like MY problem, but how can I deal with it? -- TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING

DEAR TOO MUCH: If you can't look at your spouse because his flowing tresses are a turnoff, this must be affecting many aspects of your marriage. Although he likes his hair long, if you address it in those terms he may be willing to listen. However, just as women should be free to wear their hair the way they want, the same should apply to males.

P.S. I'm surprised his friends want to hang around with a walking reminder that they are follicly challenged.

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I went to a Mexican resort with five other couples for a seven-day vacation. On the second day, one of the wives, "Sandra," received the news that her sister "Kate" had died unexpectedly. The funeral would not be held until two days after we returned.

Sandra's husband was furious at the family member for calling. What did they expect her to do, hop a plane? We were all affected by Sandra's loss. The first two days all five couples were having a ball. After that call it was like someone popped the balloon -- it was never the same for any of us.

Some of us feel they could have waited until the last day before calling, although I personally think they should have waited until she got home. Sandra and Kate were completely dissimilar and not close. Even Sandra said, "Well, at least I had two good days of vacation." Should the family have waited? -- DISGUSTED IN WISCONSIN

DEAR DISGUSTED: It depends, I think, upon the dynamics in the sisters' family and to what degree Kate's death was a shock to everyone. When death happens out of the blue, people sometimes react emotionally rather than rationally, which may be why the relative called immediately.

I agree with the friends who said the sad news could have been conveyed on the last day of the trip. Had Sandra been told immediately upon her return home, she might have been grateful. On the other hand, she also might have been furious, saying, "How could you keep this from me!?" That said, in my opinion it would have been kinder to let Sandra and her husband enjoy their holiday, since it was already too late to rush to the sister's bedside.

DEAR ABBY: I am a 68-year-old woman. For the past seven years, I have lived with my daughter, my only child. We have always had a great relationship, and now as adults, we have a great friendship. She and her husband recently separated, and she now has a boyfriend. She has an excellent job and has been talking lately about asking for a transfer to Florida, 900 miles away.

I don't want to move anywhere. I have a part-time job I love and I don't want to give it up. All my family and friends live here. My ex-son-in-law has offered for me to come live with him. We have always had a good relationship.

So: Do I give up the rest of my life without seeing my only child every day and move in with her ex? Or do I move with her to Florida? In either case, I'll have to give up my very specialized job that is not transferable. Help! -- DECISIONS TO MAKE IN MARYLAND

DEAR DECISIONS: You and your daughter are not joined at the hip. While you won't be able to be with her every day, there is no reason you can't talk together on the phone or Skype. She should move alone to Florida and see how her relationship with her boyfriend works out, because there are no guarantees.

Since you and your former son-in-law are comfortable with the arrangement, give living with him a try. It says a lot about both of you that your relationship is such a warm one. If anything changes, re-evaluate your options then. But for now, some separation between you and your daughter might be good for both of you.

DEAR ABBY: My spouse and I are Buddhists, and we do not intend to raise our 2-year-old daughter as a Christian. We plan to teach her about various religions, but we want the opportunity to do so to be ours as parents.

I have discussed this at length with my parents. Nevertheless, they insist on teaching her Christian songs even though I have asked them to stop. I feel their refusal to follow my wishes on this matter is disrespectful. They had their opportunity to raise me the way they chose. Now it's my turn to raise my child as I choose.

How do I get them to take me seriously, short of telling them they can no longer see her? (I'd rather it not come to that.) -- CHANTING FOR PATIENCE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS

DEAR CHANTING: When are your parents teaching your child these songs? If they are doing it when she is with them without your supervision, limit their alone time with her. That should work in the short term. But realize that you can't shelter your daughter from Christianity and other religions forever, particularly as she grows older and the Christian holidays roll around with all the attendant marketing that surrounds them. Having awareness of and respect for other religions is important today, because not all people believe alike.

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 17-year-old girl in high school. Recently, I became friends with a new girl at school. She's 15. She has a boyfriend at her old school, but she talks to guys at this school she thinks are cute. She told me some of them want to hook up with her and she seems happy about it. She even talked about going to a school dance with them.

I'm worried she might be cheating on her boyfriend, but I don't know what to do. I don't know him, so I don't think I can tell him what's happening. When she mentioned the guys at school and I asked her, "What about your boyfriend?" she just kinda changed the subject. -- TEEN IN PENNSYLVANIA

DEAR TEEN: High school romances aren't like marriages. While some of them may last forever, most don't. That's why I'm advising you to take a step back, stay out of this girl's love life, and stop worrying about her old boyfriend. If she really cared about his feelings, she wouldn't be flirting with the boys at school. In time, he will find someone else to ease his broken heart.

DEAR ABBY: I met someone I really like eight months ago. The problem is, I can't get him to do anything except sit at home and watch TV.

I have suggested doing things he is interested in. But when a friend called, he went out to a ballgame without hesitation. I had been asking him for months to go. He also went to a music festival with friends. But if I suggest anything, he can't do it. He says he will "sometime in the future," but how should I take this? We have never been out to eat or seen a movie.

Am I being childish or asking too much too soon? -- UNDERWHELMED IN MICHIGAN

DEAR UNDERWHELMED: Too soon? Eight months? You're not childish; you are thinking rationally. Sitting around and watching television requires no effort on his part -- and I'll bet you're providing the snacks, too. Forgive me for seeming judgmental, but the man you're involved with is acting like a self-centered mooch, and it's unfair to you.

DEAR ABBY: I started a new job that requires me to deal with the public. I am now encountering an unexpected issue I didn't know I'd have with myself. It's receiving compliments.

On more than one occasion, men have told me I'm "beautiful." Instead of handling it gracefully, it makes me defensive and I seem rude without meaning to be that way. Comments of this nature make me extremely uncomfortable.

I've never had strangers tell me things like this before. My co-workers think I'm crazy for not eating it up, but I'm left feeling uneasy for the rest of the day. There has to be a better way of handling this than the way I have been. Any advice? -- DEFENSIVE IN ARKANSAS

DEAR DEFENSIVE: Yes. The best way to handle a compliment is to be gracious and accept it. Say thank you and refrain from using it as an excuse to parade your insecurities.