DEAR HARRIETTE: My air-conditioning unit has not been functioning in my apartment in this summer heat. “Thomas,” my landlord, has been completely useless and ignores my complaints. I don’t have the cash to threaten him with a lawsuit, but I want to stand up for myself. I live in an area where it reaches 90 degrees during the day! I find myself staying late at work just because I dread coming home to that suffocating heat. How can I get Thomas to take action? I don’t know any of his other renters to ask for advice on how to deal with him. -- Heatwave, Atlanta

DEAR HEATWAVE: Check your lease to see if it says explicitly that your apartment comes complete with an air-conditioning unit. If it is written there, you have the legal right to have your landlord provide a working air conditioner. Next, let your landlord know that you will either withhold your rent -- in escrow -- until he repairs or replaces your air conditioner, or you will have it repaired or replaced and take the cost out of your rent. Either option is fair if your lease proves that he should be providing this for you. Put your suggestions in writing. Follow up with a text and a call. If you still get no response, collect your documentation so that you can prove that you made an effort, and go get some air conditioning!

DEAR HARRIETTE: My teenage son has decided to lose his baby weight by exercising. I love this initiative; however, it makes my home smell foul. “Victor” has body odor, and I don’t think wearing deodorant crosses his mind. I have hinted that he needs to start using deodorant and have even offered to buy it for him, but Vick just laughs me off. Normally I wouldn’t mind, but I was mortified when a friend came over and said I “clearly have sons.” How do I get Vick to start using antiperspirant or deodorant? I don’t want to scare him away from exercising. -- No B.O., Seattle

DEAR NO B.O.: You need to talk to your son about hygiene and teach him how to care for his body. This is not to dissuade him from exercising. It is also important for him to know about cleanliness and body odor. Tell him directly about his odor and the need to bathe with appropriate soap and use deodorant. Don’t give him an option on this. You can also relegate exercise to a certain part of the house that is well-ventilated or that you can make ventilated. You can use air fresheners to help combat the smell and vacuum often. Open the windows, too, to allow the pungent air to leave the house and clean air to flow in.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend “Alanna” makes significantly more money than me, even though we work in similar fields. When I first found out, I was angry at my company for such a large difference in salary, but now I am doubting Alanna’s brag about how much she makes. She could be trying to help me assert my worth, but I don't know whether to trust my friend or the person setting my salary. Should I ask Alanna for proof of her salary or just brush this off as typical financial gloating? -- Even the Playing Field, Detroit

DEAR EVEN THE PLAYING FIELD: You should turn away from Alanna’s bragging and concentrate on growing your career. Getting angry about Alanna’s paycheck isn’t going to help you very much.

Over time, however, as you build your career, you can do research to learn what the average salary range is for your particular job. You can ask a headhunter and look in industry publications and online for clues. If you find multiple sources that suggest that you are significantly underpaid, it may be time to speak to your boss. But do not approach your company with anger. That rarely leads to good consequences. Instead, become excellent and above reproach at what you do. Work to get recognized for your contributions, and position yourself for promotions to the best of your ability. Based on your research, if and when you do get a raise, compare it to industry standard. If it is below in a significant way, challenge your boss and ask for a more commensurate figure. Strategy is everything!

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend and I have been fighting about what I deem a totally ridiculous topic -- how much I love my dog. I do pamper my dog more than other dog owners, since she sleeps in my bed and I always give her my leftovers in the kitchen after I’ve eaten. I take her hiking and traveling with me whenever possible, considering she weighs 8 pounds and is housebroken. I don’t see any credibility in his argument that I give too much love to my animal, but it appears to be turning into a deal breaker for him. Who needs to be on a tighter leash: the boyfriend or my dog, Pickle? -- Dogfight, Pittsburgh

DEAR DOGFIGHT: Find out from your boyfriend specifically what bothers him about your relationship with your dog. He could take issue with the dog sleeping in the bed, especially if he wants to cuddle up with you, too. Can you teach the dog that some nights are reserved for your special guest?

Does he like your dog? Is he willing to befriend Pickle? This is essential to know, because if he is truly anti-dogs -- or even anti-Pickle -- then you could be at an impasse. If, however, he just wants a bit more of you and bit less of Pickle, you may be able to create a compromise where everyone, including Pickle, can find a level of comfort. How much you like your boyfriend will determine how flexible you are willing to become.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: My stepfather has been making increasingly sexist comments whenever I visit him and (mostly) my mother. Now that they have been married a few years, I believe he thinks it's acceptable to let his guard down and spew his thoughts about how “women aren't really fit for the workplace.” I know it's a bunch of malarkey, but it still angers me that my mother doesn't say anything to him. She's been working for over 30 years! Is it not my place to speak up? I feel like he says this to get a rise out of me. -- Ignoramus Stepfather, Cambridge, Massachusetts

DEAR IGNORAMUS STEPFATHER: If your mother has yet to make a statement about her husband’s behavior, chances are, she doesn’t plan to do so. That means it is time for you to learn to ignore him. If you do not react to his comments, it is likely that he will eventually make fewer of them in your presence. You may want to figure out ways to spend time with your mother outside the house. Go on mother-daughter dates where the two of you can enjoy each other without him in the room. In this way, you will be able to avoid interacting with your stepfather for the most part.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am not a particularly talkative person, and I am comfortable with silence. What I have realized, though, is that I am atrocious at barbershop small talk. When getting a trim every few weeks, my barber attempts to speak to me about anything from sports to family. I'm far too private and awkward to give him a good conversation, and I wish he didn't feel the pressure to keep up constant conversation with me. Is there any way I can steer the conversation toward silence, or is this just a fact of life? -- Ixnay the Small Talk

DEAR IXNAY THE SMALL TALK: The best way to get your barber to stop asking you questions is for you to start asking him questions. Come up with a list of a few basic things that he typically likes to talk about. Then you start off the conversation by asking one of them. It could be as simple as “How was your week?” Or you can ask about some of the regulars who frequent the shop. You don’t even have to listen attentively. A few grunts and “uh-huhs” should keep the conversation going. When he turns the conversation to you, ease it back to him. You can say, “Oh yes, my family is fine. How is yours?” That gives him the opportunity to spend time talking about himself. You can also close your eyes and pretend to take a little nap -- or just stop talking. It could be awkward for your barber at first, but if you stop responding, eventually he will stop asking you questions.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)