DEAR HARRIETTE: I live in a quiet suburban neighborhood where everybody pretty much knows each other. Most of us work outside the home, including myself, but the other day I did not go in. At a certain point, I heard a car pull up to the house next to mine, so I looked out the window. I saw the teenage daughter of my neighbor enter the house with a teenage boy. They stayed there for several hours before leaving. I know this is none of my business, but I feel very uncomfortable about this situation. I did not go over there because that felt like overstepping my bounds. I think I should tell her parents what I saw. Am I right, or should I keep my observations to myself? -- Not a Busybody, Salt Lake City

DEAR NOT A BUSYBODY: By all means, reach out to this teen's mom right away. Call her and tell her you do not mean to meddle, but you have something to tell her. Just say what you saw with no embellishments. Do not theorize on what may have happened in the house. Tell her approximately what time the car pulled up and how long the two were inside.

Listen for her reaction. She will likely be embarrassed, but hopefully she will be grateful that you are looking out for her child's welfare. The way she handles the information will be a cue for you as to how you will handle sharing information with her in the future.

DEAR HARRIETTE: The other day I was driving down the street, and I saw a celebrity in a car nearby. No kidding. I saw Venus Williams in a minivan that said U.S. Open on it. I was so excited, and because we were all in a traffic jam, I took the opportunity to roll down my window and call out to say "hello" to her. Now, she doesn't know me from anybody, but I figured it was OK to greet her. She smiled and waved and said "hi" back. I was so excited. I'm not a groupie kind of person, but this just happened, and I feel good that somebody who is a real celebrity was nice enough to greet me back. When I told my girlfriends, one of them said that I didn't have class because I interrupted Venus' privacy. She made me feel really bad even though Venus herself was lovely. Was I wrong to say hello to her? -- Thoughtful, New York City

DEAR THOUGHTFUL: Saying hello to a celebrity who is in earshot of you with her window down is fine. Had you yelled and been loud about it, that would be a different matter. As you experienced, Venus graciously spoke back to you. When it wouldn't be appropriate is if the celebrity were in a semi-private place and preoccupied, like seated at dinner or at a play. Driving by in a car is OK.

(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a co-worker who speaks so loudly on the phone that it is hard to concentrate on my work. I think she needs a hearing aid or something. We work in cubicles, so it's an open-air situation. I cannot keep my concentration, though. It's as if she is screaming. Several people have asked her to tone it down, but she shrugs us off. I'm not kidding when I say I think she has a hearing problem. Even though she's not old, that has to be the problem. My brother-in-law has hearing aids, and he's in his 40s. He said his hearing loss came from listening to too much loud music. Anyway, what can I do or say to get her to understand she's too loud? -- Driving Me Crazy, Shreveport, Louisiana

DEAR DRIVING ME CRAZY: If you are friendly with your co-worker, you could tell her about your brother-in-law. Having an example to illustrate something that you think is going on with a person can be illuminating.

Shy of that, go to your supervisor and explain what is going on. Ask if it's possible for you to move farther away from this person or if she might be able to be moved into a room with a door. Ask your supervisor to speak to her about the volume of her conversation. If nothing changes, get permission to wear noise-canceling headphones in the office. By listening to music at a low volume, you may be able to tune out your co-worker's loud voice.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend at work who often asks me to borrow a few dollars. He always returns it, so I haven't thought much of it. But the other day when he asked to borrow something like $20, I didn't have any cash on me, so I told him I couldn't help him out. He got really mad. He asked me to go to the ATM to get the money because he really needed it. I was busy and said I could not do that. It got me to thinking: I wonder what he needs these small sums for all the time. I have decided I don't want to be part of it, but I'm not sure how to handle it so that he stays calm. Help! -- Off the Dole, Detroit

DEAR OFF THE DOLE: Pull your friend to the side and tell him you need to talk. Ask him why he regularly asks you for money. Ask him if everything is OK with him and his life. Express your genuine concern, then draw the line. Tell him that you will no longer be able to spot him money. Explain that it makes you uncomfortable and you would rather not have that type of relationship with him. State any regret that this change in your dynamic may cause, but make it crystal-clear to him that you will no longer be a source of money.

(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: My sister and I got fitness bracelets and connected to each other to keep ourselves motivated. It's weird, but it is working. If I see that she is out there stepping, I definitely feel like I had better get up off my butt and do something. In that way, it is good. She and I have always been close and encouraging of one another. We don't have that sibling rivalry stuff going on. On the other hand, it feels like one more way for me to be competitive in my life. When I'm at work, I feel like I am constantly trying to prove myself to somebody, and the pressure is intense. While I do want to get fit, I am beginning to feel like this whole tracking thing is going to make me nuts. How can I stay the course without feeling overwhelmed? -- Keep It Together, Cincinnati

DEAR KEEP IT TOGETHER: Rather than thinking of your fitness tracking alongside your sister as competition, consider it as inspiration. You want to be healthy and fit, so it is smart that you have chosen a means to keep you interested in taking care of yourself on a daily basis.

Since you and your sister are close, talk to her about your feelings. Express your desire to keep up your fitness regimen and to track with her, but admit that it feels like too much to handle sometimes. Having a workout buddy you can talk to can be incredibly helpful in staying the course. Finally, you don't have to look at what she is doing all the time. Just do you. Your body will thank you for it.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My company was just sold, and the new owner seems like he could be an OK guy. Some people in the media don't like him, but the buzz around the office so far is cool. I'm supposed to have a meeting with him in the next few days. One of my friends says I should be ready for my walking papers because I've been there a long time and my salary is high. I don't want to think like that. I want to go in there and wow him. What can I do to help preserve my job? -- Staking a Claim, Washington, D.C.

DEAR STAKING A CLAIM: The sale of a company does not automatically lead to a bloodbath at the office. That largely depends on the financial health of the company when it is purchased. The way to make yourself the most appealing to your new boss is to be prepared. Do some research on him and his company so that you can speak intelligently about his background. Know your company inside and out, at least your area. Present yourself in the most capable terms. Talk to him about what strengths you bring to your job, your level of expertise and your ability to be a team player. Paint an accurate and positive picture of your value for the company and your interest in being part of his team.

(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)