DEAR HARRIETTE: I read the article about scrubs being worn outside of the hospital and had to clarify a few things.

For the most part, scrubs that are worn in environments where they can become contaminated, such as an operating room, are not allowed out of the department. These scrubs are provided by the facility, and they are changed into upon arrival and out of upon departure.

When workers are not in a contagion environment, they wear their own scrubs to work, and therefore may be seen coming and going in scrubs. They may also dine out or run errands in scrubs.

I am not a health-care worker, but I am a representative of a worldwide surgical supply company. I am often running from one facility to the next every day to cover surgical cases. It is wonderful that our company allows us on a busy day to don scrubs rather than business attire if we wish. I don't do this frequently, but I know many reps who wear scrubs every day.

They are comfortable and easy. They are clean, and we change into facility-owned scrubs when we enter the operating room. We also wear a hat and shoe covers. When we leave the facility, we change back into our own scrubs and take off our shoe covers and hats.

My point is that "Curious" is most likely seeing people wearing their own clean scrubs. As far as wearing them to a formal event, this is no different from someone wearing sweats to a formal event. It's not the most professional judgment call, but most likely the scrubs are not contaminated. -- Scrubs Fan, Chicago

DEAR SCRUBS FAN: Thank you for your letter. Many people wrote in to share similar sentiments. I will add that ever since I got that letter, I have noticed many people wearing scrubs as fashion.

This trend reminds me of another odd fashion choice of late -- namely, wearing pajamas as street wear, all the way down to the slippers. To each his own?

DEAR HARRIETTE: After 20 years, I have recently rekindled a love I didn't know was even still there. I recently found and started speaking to an ex-boyfriend over Facebook. We had been talking on and off once in awhile, and then recently in discussion, we realized we both still felt strongly for each other.

I'm happy about that, but the only issue is that he is in the process of going through a really bad divorce. I partially feel that I am either becoming the rebound woman, or the woman who has somehow fueled him to not want to rekindle his relationship. Should I continue forward with my feelings, or should I give him and his relationship space to clear up? -- Boundaries, Miami

DEAR BOUNDARIES: Tell him you care about him and don't want to be in the middle of his divorce. Suggest that you step back until he handles his business. Then do so. If you two are meant to be together, a pause of whatever length should not be too long.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a baby sitter/nanny for several families. The kids are all young and at the age when, from years of experience, I've noticed they develop manners and learn from others. However, it can be difficult to enforce any manners or teach them how to behave, because they are not my kids. I do not know if it is my place to say anything, especially when I am watching the kids and the parents are present.

On the job, I have had a parent get upset with me for telling a child to apologize for hitting his sister. These parents do not often discipline their children, which can make my job a lot more difficult. Other families tend to encourage manners and good behavior, but I still do not know the boundaries of what I can tell the children. Where can I step in, and where is the line drawn? -- Good-Mannered Nanny, Staten Island, N.Y.

DEAR NANNY: It is the job of baby sitters and nannies to ensure that children are safe and healthy while in their care, and that naturally means offering some amount of discipline.

Yes, it can get tricky when you are in the company of a parent and the child acts up. In the case where a parent got upset when you corrected a child, I bet the parent was embarrassed that you handled it instead of him or her.

I have a few recommendations. First, do what you normally do: Take care of the child. You could also say, within the parent's earshot, "Ask your mommy (or daddy) if what you did is appropriate." That way, you include the parent in the course of disciplining the child.

Another step you could take is to talk to the parent about discipline strategies. Suggest that when you are unsure how to handle a situation, you will check in with the parent to see where he or she stands on the issue.

If you find that you and the parents cannot have a meeting of the minds, you are probably not well suited to take care of those children.

DEAR HARRIETTE: Per a recent letter from a woman whose boyfriend never lets her pay when they go out: Each person paying his or her own way does not sound like a date to me. I would be curious who makes the arrangements for the dates.

If "Equal Opportunity Girlfriend" wishes to pay for something, maybe she could take him out sometimes, and he could take her sometimes. In setting up the date, she should contact him and state that it is her date and she will pay for it. -- Practical, Chicago

DEAR PRACTICAL: I like your idea. I also like the idea of devising dates that are free or inexpensive. If couples get creative and explore their hometown, take walks or go on other expeditions, they can have fun without squabbling over the bill.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My college boyfriend and I have been dating for a few months, and we really like each other. Summer is approaching, and we will be separated the entire time. People have suggested asking my parents if he can come to our state and stay with us in our home. I have had friends whose parents let them do this, but my parents are pretty strict.

Is it weird to ask if my boyfriend can stay with us for a few days so I don't have to go four months without seeing him in person? -- Already Missing My Man, Syracuse, N.Y.

DEAR ALREADY MISSING MY MAN: You know your parents the best, so you likely know how open they would be to having your boyfriend stay at your home.

I like the idea. I think you should introduce it to your parents by saying that you would like for your boyfriend to meet them and that you want to see him at some point during the summer. Be honest. Tell them what you like about this young man, and share stories that illustrate his good qualities. Make it clear that you think they will like him, too.

If you have a guest room in your home, point out that he could stay in that room. Suggest options that show your parents you respect them and their rules.

Some parents allow visiting boyfriends or girlfriends to stay in the same room as their hosts. I can tell you that I would not do that. Instead of pushing for intimate quarters for your visit, suggest a get-to-know-the-family visit. You may be pleasantly surprised by your parents' reaction.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My college roommate is inconsiderate. He has in the past spilled alcohol on two pairs of my shoes and never offered to clean them up or even tell me about it. He has "sexiled" me at 2 a.m. on a weeknight when I was about to go to bed, and he lets his friends drink my drinks from the fridge. I am fed up. How should I address this issue? -- Fed Up, Philadelphia

DEAR FED UP: Have you confronted your roommate about any of this behavior? Step one is to directly address his transgressions with him. Tell him you did not appreciate any of his bad behavior -- from spilling drinks on your shoes to putting you out when you were about to sleep so he could have sex. Ask him to stop.

If he refuses, ask your resident assistant for support. One of the RA's jobs is to help students manage difficult situations with roommates.

The reality is that school is almost finished for this semester. Be sure to ask for a different roommate next semester. Also, do yourself a favor and speak up earlier if you have a roommate issue next semester.