DEAR HARRIETTE: We don’t have cubicles or private offices at my job -- more of an open area with desks arranged in pods. My “pod” consists of the five people on my team and me. The girl I sit directly next to brings her lunch each day. Now of course I don’t have a problem with her bringing in her lunch -- I pack mine every day -- but I have a problem with the smell of her lunch. I’m not sure what it is, but something that she brings turns me off. I can’t get used to it, and it has come to the point where the smell makes me nauseous and gives me a headache. I now take my lunch break outside of the office just to escape the smell. What do I do in this situation? I know it might just be me being sensitive, but I also don’t want to keep having to leave the office each time my team member eats her lunch! -- Dealing With a Smelly Lunch, Pittsburgh

DEAR DEALING WITH A SMELLY LUNCH: Why not speak to your co-worker? Tell her that you do not mean to be insensitive, but that there is an ingredient in her lunch that you think you are allergic to. Explain that whenever you smell it, you become ill. Admit that you leave the office at lunchtime because you keep getting sick. Ask her if she would help you to figure out what the ingredient is, and, if possible, not bring that to work anymore. There is a good chance that she has no idea that her lunch is bothering you. If you handle this discreetly, chances are she will try to accommodate your request.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I was at the bar the other night, and I saw my brother’s girlfriend cheating on him with some other guy. My brother and I are extremely close, but I don’t know how to tell him. He is so in love with his girlfriend, and this will absolutely break his heart. I know she didn’t see me. I want to tell my brother, but I think it should come from her. Do you think I should confront her and tell her that I saw her? -- Concerned Sister, Denver

DEAR CONCERNED SISTER: Your allegiance is to your brother. As hurt as he may be to learn about his girlfriend’s behavior, he will be more devastated to learn that you witnessed her cheating and said nothing. Tell your brother what you saw -- with no embellishments. Tell him where you were and describe who she was with. Do not try to reach any conclusions. Just report what you saw. It will be up to him to decide his next steps. Be prepared, by the way, for him to stay with his girlfriend. Do not judge him if he makes a choice that is different from what you think you might make.

(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: I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but I have become a serial binge watcher of random TV shows. It seems like all these new networks like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Roku -- you name it -- have different series that come on, and I get caught up in them. I will search around and find a show, and then discover myself asleep at the TV many hours later. I haven't been getting my housework done. Honestly, I haven't talked to my family recently. We all just do our separate things and don’t communicate much. I know this probably sounds stupid, but I can’t seem to stop. I come home, cook dinner, sit down and watch. What can I do to change this bad habit? -- Binge Watcher, Jackson, Mississippi

DEAR BINGE WATCHER: Unfortunately, you are part of a trend. These TV series have become the new video games, in a way. Because you no longer have to wait a week to see the next episode of a show, it is tempting to watch all 6, 9, 12 or more in a season. Add to that the fact that many of these series come to these services after there are multiple seasons, and you have a recipe for disaster if you get hooked.

My solution: Don’t turn on the TV in the first place. Schedule time to spend with your family. Limit your TV hours when you do turn it on. Wean yourself off this time-sucking habit.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I was invited to a party by a woman who is in one of my social clubs. It sounds like it will be a nice event. I assumed that she had invited other members of our club because she is friends with them as well, so I made the mistake of asking one of them if we could share a ride to the party. That’s when I realized she knew nothing of it. I feel bad now, and it’s a little awkward. I made it uncomfortable for both of them. Should I call the host and tell her and even ask her to invite the other friend? -- Foot in Mouth, Brooklyn, New York

DEAR FOOT IN MOUTH: You are adults. What you should do is nothing. It’s already obvious to the uninvited friend that she didn’t make the list. There’s nothing wrong with that. People are entitled to invite whomever they want to their parties. You would be making the host feel guilty by informing her. She knows that she didn’t invite your other friend. It wasn’t necessarily a snub; it was the host’s choice.

The only reason I would recommend that you inform the host is if the nature of the event would make it particularly awkward for her after the fact. Otherwise, let it be. In the future, do not talk to anyone about another person’s party without checking in with the host first.

(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: I’m a 17-year-old African-American girl who attends a mostly-white boarding high school in Ohio. My parents are very successful politicians and want me to get the best education. I’m thankful to go to my school, but I get picked on for being black, and I feel lonely most of the time. I have one friend, and she helps me get through the days, but most of the time I get pushed, called names, and once I even got things thrown at me. I don’t want to worry my parents, but I’m so unhappy here. What should I do? -- Lonely Girl, Columbus, Ohio

DEAR LONELY GIRL: There is no way your parents can help you if you keep this abusive behavior a secret. You are not expected to handle this on your own, even though you are in boarding school. Sit down with your parents this summer, and tell them what you have experienced. Be specific and name names. Your parents will need that information in order to address this. If you have spoken with any school officials about the egregious behavior, share that information as well. Part of the discussion with your parents needs to be an evaluation of whether you should stay at that school or go somewhere else.

Unfortunately, racism still exists in our country, and you have been the victim of it. Your parents cannot shield you from it entirely, but if you are miserable at that school, you can find a more welcoming place to finish your education.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am 27 years old, and my son is 6. I work and make a decent amount of money, but not enough to move out of my parents' home. I’m tired of living under their roof because of their negative attitude toward me. They always tell me I’m a disappointment and that I don’t do anything, but I contribute to paying bills and make sure to bring food to the house. I understand that it’s their house and their rules, but I think I should still be respected. What can I do to change this? -- Need to Move, Austin, Texas

DEAR NEED TO MOVE: It sounds like you are living in an unhealthy environment. It does not help for your parents to disparage you. This is tough on your child as well, and could have lasting effects.

What can you do? Start by speaking to your parents and reminding them of what you are doing to set your life on course. Point out the ways in which you help in the home, and acknowledge that you appreciate them letting you and your child stay there.

Tell your parents that it is upsetting to you that they continually disparage you. Explain that it hurts your feelings and makes your child uncomfortable. Ask them if they can try to be kinder. At the same time, start looking for another living situation. Look for a roommate who would be comfortable with a mother and child. Explore your options until you find something that is affordable and suitable for you. Your plan must be to find a place of your own.

(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.)