DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently went out with a friend of mine. She had a few too many drinks. I asked her not to drive home and offered to call her an Uber, but she was adamant that she was fine to drive. Knowing that wasn't the case, I convinced her to let me order her some food in the hope that she would sober up a little bit, but she was still insistent on driving home.

The next day, she confessed to me that she had been, in fact, way too drunk to drive, and she felt terrible about it. It really got me thinking about my responsibility in this situation. I didn't want to be overbearing or aggressive, but at the same time, I felt that I needed to do something to prevent a dangerous situation. She was so insistent on driving, I guess I just got tired of arguing. Do you have any advice on how I should handle a similar situation in the future? -- Feeling Guilty

DEAR FEELING GUILTY: It can feel impossible to manage a situation like this when a friend is drunk and belligerent and absolutely insistent on doing something that is dangerous. You were right to stand your ground and at least get her some food. It probably would have been even better to require her to ride with you, get a taxi or otherwise not drive her car. Could you have demanded that? Perhaps, if you could have gotten possession of her keys, but it surely would have been a battle.

What you can do now is make an agreement with your friend. Talk about the future. Promise each other that if either of you is ever in danger -- due to intoxication or anything else -- you will have each other’s back. That means if your friend deems that you are drunk, you have to turn over your keys, even if you don’t agree. Similarly, if there’s some other threat of danger, you agree to trust the other person to make a smart decision if you are not thinking coherently.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been trying for several months now to get a meeting with a woman who was referred to me by a friend. She has had to reschedule three times already. I am beginning to lose confidence. I have a great idea to share with her, but I wonder if there is even a remote chance that she will listen, given that she has not made meeting me a priority at all. How can I keep up my enthusiasm when I don’t think she is interested? -- Need a Boost

DEAR NEED A BOOST: Hopefully you will get the meeting in question. Your job is to be ready. You need to wow this woman with who you are and what you have to offer so that when the meeting is over, she is clear about your value and how you can be effective for whatever she is doing. That means you have to prepare. What research is needed so that you are fully versed on her work? What do you need to do to connect the dots regarding how you fit into her needs? How can you talk about it so that your story is compelling and succinct? When the meeting happens, thank her for her time and go for it. What do you have to lose?

(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: A friend of mine recently moved to Mexico. She wanted to make a change in her life, and she was offered an amazing deal. I’m happy for her and also a bit worried. I keep seeing reports of kidnappings and even murders in different parts of the country, including in resort towns. I don’t want to scare my friend, but she is there by herself. I haven’t mentioned the reports I have seen. Do you think I should? I don’t want her to have a false sense of safety, nor do I want to make her afraid to walk out of her door. -- Be Safe

DEAR BE SAFE: Crime is real all over the world, including in Mexico. The fact is, though, depending on where your friend lived in the States, her neighborhood may have been equally as dangerous. It’s hard to say.

Should you tell your friend what you have learned? Yes. Inform her of the reports you have seen about crime in specific areas. Be factual, not dramatic. Remind her to be cautious as she explores and lives her life. That is wise no matter where you are. She can also check in with local authorities to get a sense of what is happening in her area. As she makes friends, she should learn about the safe places where people hang out and the areas to avoid.

DEAR HARRIETTE: It took 20 years to get my husband to get a colonoscopy. Now he has done it, and all he seems to be able to do is harp on what we should and should not be eating. He read up about the benefits of having a clean colon and can’t stop talking about it.

Of course it is smart to eat healthy, and I know that. What I can’t stand is his holier-than-thou attitude. I can’t tell you how often I tried to cut down on red meat in the past, only to have him demand more meat on the table. Now, all of a sudden, he realizes that this is a good idea. How can I have a better attitude about him waking up to healthy eating? Right now, I am fuming because he is demanding things I have encouraged him to do for years but, of course, with no acknowledgment of my prompts. -- Eat Well

DEAR EAT WELL: Sometimes we don’t get credit when it is due. It often takes someone outside our immediate family or friend group to open our eyes to what should be obvious. In this case, I’m sure you pressured your husband forever to even get the colonoscopy. It’s a small victory that he did. His awakening to healthier eating and living is a good thing. Count it as a positive, even though it was a long time coming. Do your best to avoid saying “I told you so,” as that will only spark an argument. Honestly, if you can try to be happy for this change of heart and call it a win, everybody will be better for it. You will be able to eat healthier as a family. Isn’t that worth celebrating?

(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 youngest daughter is graduating from college this year and is looking forward to moving in with her older sister when she graduates. Both girls live in a different state than me. While I love them both, I am hesitant about this decision. My older daughter has always been a bit malicious and mean to her little sister, and I'm not comfortable with them living together without my presence there to supervise. I'm worried about the potential of a toxic relationship developing between the two of them. Can you offer any advice or insight? -- Protective

DEAR PROTECTIVE: Now is the time for you to step back. Your daughters have to figure out their lives on their own as young adults. There is a near-certainty that they will butt heads and that your oldest will try some of her tricks on her sister. Perhaps the youngest will begin to flex for herself and learn how to stand her ground.

Do your best to stay out of it. When the calls come for you to referee -- and they will -- stay neutral. If you can, don’t get involved at all. Tell them that they made the choice to live together. They need to figure out how to do so and manage on their own. If you must, you can remind the older sister to be kind and the younger one to stand up for herself, but work hard not to get involved. Don’t listen to the stories. Tell them to talk to each other and work it out. If you notice that either or both of them are suffering to too great an extent, by all means step in and help separate one from the other, but that’s down the line.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I work in fast food. On a recent shift, I recognized my friend’s mother as one of our customers. I believe she did not recognize me, as she was very rude to me and the other staff before I could even greet her. It was awkward and uncomfortable. I’m sure to run into her again when I see my friend, and I think that because of our most recent interaction, she’ll definitely remember me now. What should I do? -- Tricky Situation

DEAR TRICKY SITUATION: You did nothing wrong. Be sure to remember that. When you see this woman, greet her in a friendly and respectful manner. You can say that you saw her the other day at your job, and leave it at that. No need to add any commentary. If she remembers her bad behavior, that may inspire her to apologize. Perhaps she was in a bad mood or something happened to set her off. Who knows? She could also be oblivious to her behavior. In any case, it is not for you to address. In hospitality, the customer nearly always gets the last word. You should say nothing, including to your friend.

Chances are, the next time she comes into your restaurant she will be on better behavior, though.

(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.)