DEAR HARRIETTE: Someone who I don't know and who is not a Facebook friend sent me a request, asking that she be put in touch with one of my Facebook friends. When I suggested that she find my friend on Facebook, the writer gave me major attitude, saying, "If I could've found her on Facebook, don't you think I would have thought of that?"

When I responded with a bit of retaliation, asking the writer about her attitude, she lit into me further. I responded one more time, asking why she was being so rude when she was trying to get something from me. She didn't write back anymore.

Am I wrong to think it was inappropriate for someone I don't know to ask me to share someone else's contact information? She gave me no indication of who she is or what she wants with my contact. I'm so tired of experiencing random rudeness from people who want my help. In the end, this woman wrote me a nasty note telling me how unhelpful I was when I could have been supportive to her. -- Facebook Friend, Atlanta

DEAR FACEBOOK FRIEND: Some people feel entitled to whatever they want, regardless of how they go about getting it. You were not wrong to withhold information about one of your sources from someone you don't know. The power and value of relationships has much to do with how well you protect them.

I'm sorry you had a rude interaction with someone using social media, but I'm not surprised. Anonymity sometimes allows people to behave in extreme ways because they think they won't be found out. Chalk this up as an experience with someone who either was never taught how to engage others politely or who just doesn't care. In either case, reach out to the friend she was looking to meet and warn her about this person.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a fashion lover, and I am known to have expensive tastes in clothing. There is only one problem: Because of all my extracurricular activities, I don't have time to work. So currently I have no source of income. I really dislike constantly begging my parents for money. It's uncomfortable and unfair to them. What can I do to suppress my shopping habit? -- Stylishly Broke, Syracuse, N.Y.

DEAR STYLISHLY BROKE: Wake up, dear one. It makes no sense to spend money that you don't have on anything, including fashion.

How can you suppress your habit? For starters, avoid going into stores unless you are able to "shop look," as my mother used to call it. If you can't look at items without buying something, don't put your foot in the door.

It's time to reorder your priorities as well. Evaluate your extracurricular activities. Is there something you can curtail in favor of a job? You will never be able to afford your style habit if you don't have the money to pay for it.

You also may want to look into a 12-step program where you face your shopping habit and figure out how to be more balanced about your current obsession.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am almost certain that my sister stole money from my room. She knows where I hide my money box, and the other day I noticed that it was empty except for some loose coins. I did have $40 in there. It's just the two of us and our parents in our house, and I can't imagine why my parents would steal money from me. My sister, on the other hand, is always shopping. We are both teenagers, but I have a job and she isn't old enough to have one yet. I want to ask her about it, but I think she will probably lie. What should I do? I want my money. -- Victim, Syracuse, N.Y.

DEAR VICTIM: Tell your mom what happened -- that you had $40 in your money box and it is missing. Ask if she knows anything about it. Tell her your suspicions, and ask her to help you address them.

By talking it out with your mother, you will be able to vent your frustration with an adult who can help you to calm down. If she knows anything about the situation, she will tell you. She will also give you her opinion about your sister and her potential actions.

When you ask your sister about the missing cash, do your best not to be accusatory. You can tell her what happened and ask her if she knows anything about it. If you remain neutral in your questioning and if she took the money, she may be willing to tell you. For example, she may believe she borrowed it and intended to replace it right away. If she admits "borrowing" the money, ask her to give it back to you immediately.

Find a better hiding place for your money. Now may be the perfect time to ask your mother to open a bank account for you if you don't already have one.

DEAR HARRIETTE: There is only one good solution for "Outraged" who is tired of rude and pushy shoppers ... RUN from "Yankee Land" as quickly as possible and come to the genteel South, where life moves more slowly and certainly more politely! You would never leave! Born a "Southern belle" and will die one! -- Belle, Shreveport, La.

DEAR BELLE: Oh, I couldn't resist running your letter! I'm sure that Northerners would beg to differ with you. Of course, there are well-behaved people above the Mason-Dixon line, but I absolutely love your invitation.

Let's use your invitation of hospitality as a challenge to everyone to choose to be polite. Wherever you live, you can choose that option. Imagine how much more easeful the world would be.

And, per your invitation, we might all enjoy a visit to your great town. Thanks for writing.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My wife and your reader (who wants her husband to dress up more) are birds of a feather. I dress in bib overalls -- sometimes worn and patched or sometimes "ironed and new," but bib overalls, nevertheless. I keep them clean and "presentable." I also have a college education, sometimes a beard, and I am a millionaire, and I can dress any way I wish. I am retired, owe money to no one and do not care about my appearance. I can and do dress well when I choose to -- or not. The lady's husband and I need nothing to prove or to identify us. Our personage is built in and needs no clothing. This is not the military. We do not need to carry our rank on our sleeves. -- Comfortable in Northern Wisconsin

DEAR COMFORTABLE: Thank you for writing in to defend a man's right to dress the way he pleases. Your letter reflects your confidence completely, including your lack of need to be identified with how you present yourself.

What's interesting is that you infer that your wife would appreciate your dressing up more often. I would like to challenge you by saying that while there is clearly no requirement for you to care about your appearance, if it would make your wife happy, it might be a choice you should make more often -- to please her.

In a marriage, many factors figure in to both partners feeling loved and appreciated. If stepping out of the bib overalls and into a sport coat on occasion would brighten your wife's day, you may want to consider it.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am about to leave my summer job to go back to school, and I'm feeling sad. I have become good friends with the other people who work at the camp where I have worked as a counselor. We all live in different parts of the country, and I feel like we are just going to go our separate ways and that will be that. Part of me wants to stay in touch with them, but I don't know how practical this is. We are all in college and have busy lives. I want to ask them if we can stay in touch, but I'm afraid I will get my feelings hurt if I ask and they don't want to do it or don't follow up. Should I just keep my idea to myself or go for it? -- Sad to Go, Boston

DEAR SAD TO GO: It's wonderful that you forged positive bonds with your co-workers. I definitely think you should say as much and let your new friends know that you would like to stay in touch. Be honest and express your concern that your lives might be too busy to keep connected, but offer that you would like to try. Get their contact information and be the first to reach out. Don't expect them to communicate all the time. When you think of one another, send a note or make a call.