DEAR HARRIETTE: I went to my neighborhood hair salon because I was desperately in need of a new hairstyle. I spoke to my hairstylist and told her what kind of haircut I would like to have. She liked my idea and began to create my new hairstyle, but when she finished, my hair was a total mess. The stylist cut my hair way too short and colored it too dark. I am so upset right now because the hairstylist did not listen to my directions. I feel like taking a few weeks off until my hair grows back to its original length. I would like to know if there is a way the hairstylist can refund my money, or do you think I can ask for a free haircut the next time I come back to this salon? -- Splitting Hairs, Chicago

DEAR SPLITTING HAIRS: I have many questions in order to help you through this. Is this your regular salon? Is this your regular stylist? What type of relationship do you have with the salon? Most important, did you express your disappointment with your cut and hair color before you left the salon?

If you have a long-term relationship with the hair salon, your chances are greater that they will try to accommodate you and help you figure out how to be comfortable, either by recoloring your hair or restyling it. They might also be willing to give you a free cut in the future. But these "ifs" are dependent upon how much they value you as a customer. If you did not say anything before you left the salon, it may be harder for you to go back days or weeks later to complain. Handling complaints in the moment is the best strategy. Before you go back there, make sure you feel confident that someone can fulfill your styling needs.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend has a serious problem. He is a sneaker collector, and it is driving me crazy because he has sneakers all over the apartment. Currently, he has over 600 pairs of sneakers in the house, and I am having a hard time walking around. I wanted to make breakfast in the morning, but I was not able to because there are sneakers in the kitchen. I do not know what to do; his collection is out of control. Can you offer some advice on how I can I manage my boyfriend's collection without losing my temper? -- Too Many Sneakers, Brooklyn, New York

DEAR TOO MANY SNEAKERS: Your boyfriend is a sneaker hoarder! Call him on his addiction and tell him it is time for him to get a storage unit to house his sneakers or sell some of them off to make room in your home. Likely, he will balk at the idea. Show him that the route to the kitchen, and even the use of the kitchen, is compromised by his sneakers. Go around your home and point out what else is dysfunctional because of his kicks. Enlist the help of friends or family if he refuses to see reality.

(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 decided to get fit and have begun going to yoga classes. Apparently, a part of the yoga culture is ignoring if someone passes gas in the middle of class! I have just started going to classes in the past month, and these loud gaffes happen roughly every other class. Nothing is said when this happens, and I am baffled. Shouldn't someone always say, "excuse me"? I understand respecting the silence of yoga, but the gas has already interrupted the peace! I am not going to correct someone on her behavior, but I would like to know what the proper etiquette is. Do these unwritten rules of yoga forgive bad manners? -- Confused Yogi, Oneonta, New York

DEAR CONFUSED YOGI: While it surely is unpleasant to be downwind from someone's gas gaffe, I'm sure you know that such utterances are natural. Passing gas happens in the body, in every human body, and often cannot be controlled. This is especially true in a movement class that is designed to relax and strengthen your body as it guides it into alignment.

The reality is that passing gas in yoga class is not bad manners. Yes, it may be awkward and even smelly, but it's not like someone intentionally chose to contaminate the air. I have found that yoga classes can sometimes have a thickness in the air that is a combination of sweat and other bodily odors. Either you learn to live with it or choose a different studio that may have a better air purification system.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a receptionist, and I like what I do, but I am having the hardest time getting my work done. When my co-workers need to talk or they have problems, they come to me to vent. I am honored that my co-workers stop to talk to me, but the opinion seems to be that receptionists are boring and don't hold a true value for a company. I love when my co-workers pay me a visit, but I need to get my work done as well. How do I tell my co-workers to limit their visits during work hours without hurting their feelings? -- Front Desk Problems, West Orange, New Jersey

DEAR FRONT DESK PROBLEMS: Be upfront with your co-workers. Let them know when you do not have time to chat. If they come up and start talking to you when you are facing a deadline, look up and ask them if you can talk later because you have to get something completed right away.

In your effort to be valued and liked by your co-workers, you may just be reinforcing the very stereotype that you want to dispel, namely that your time is not as valuable as theirs, so they can come to you whenever they feel like it. Train them to talk with you at times that work for everyone. Feel confident speaking up and expressing your desire to chat with them at a particular time. You can gently remind them that you have to get your work done, too!

(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 daughter despises when I take photographs of her. She is a teenager now, and I try to document all of her important moments through videos and candid photos. She gets incredibly angry when I videotape or photograph her getting ready for parties with her friends or getting ready for school. I think she's being an unreasonable teenager right now, and she'll appreciate these videos later in life. My older daughter has told me to give her little sister some room, but I know my youngest will really like these candid videos later in life. How can I tell her to be appreciative instead of mad at me? -- Mama Bear Photography, Dallas

DEAR MAMA BEAR PHOTOGRAPHY: Your older daughter has a point. Interestingly, in today's world, young people in particular document almost every moment of their lives on social media. Your daughter may not be a part of that trend, or she may simply want some space in her own home away from anyone with a camera, especially her mom hovering over her, recording her every move. Either way, it is best for you to back off. When you want to take pictures or video, ask your daughter privately and always in advance of a major event. Get her to buy into your idea rather than being an aggressive mother bear who is forcing the situation.

You can agree on a certain number of images or a limited amount of time that you will shoot. In this way, your daughter will feel like she has some control over the situation. Your desire to document everything seems to make her feel unsafe and under observation in her own home. I doubt that is your desire.

Dear Harriette: I am not new to dating, and I have been in a relationship for almost two years. This morning, I opened my email to an invitation from an online reservation application saying that my boyfriend would like to have dinner with me on Friday. I am dumbfounded. Do we live in an age where it is acceptable to invite someone to dinner via a reservation confirmation email? I am happy to go out to a nice dinner, but this is simply so impersonal that I find the lack of effort off-putting. I do not want to seem stodgy, but I feel as though mentioning dinner plans in person would be considered more normal than via email. Am I being old-fashioned? -- Not E-Dating, Boston

DEAR NOT E-DATING: Before diving off the deep end, step back and think about your boyfriend's normal behavior. If this is odd for him, perhaps the invitation is actually something that he spent more time thinking about than usual. Go along with him this one time, and see what happens. If the dinner seems extra special and thoughtful, maybe this is your boyfriend's way of being more formal. No, it doesn't fit into your old-school idea of how dates get set, but if it turns out to be fun and different, it may be OK.

If not, tell him you were willing to try it, but you really prefer that personal touch -- a call to extend an invitation turns you on!

(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.)