DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently started talking to a guy I met on a dating website. He seems really sweet, and we’ve had great conversations. He lives one town over from me; I don't have a car, but he does. When we discussed meeting up, he suggested that I take the bus to his city. While I appreciate his eagerness to meet, I can't help but feel a little insulted that he would suggest I take public transportation instead of just offering to drive over to me. Is this a red flag, or am I overthinking it? -- Insulted

DEAR INSULTED: Speak up. It makes perfect sense that you would appreciate this man either coming to pick you up or meeting you in your town. If that’s what you want, say so. See how he responds. Yes, you can consider his suggestion a red flag -- but not necessarily a deal breaker. Who knows what his past experiences have been to make him think it was a good idea? I’m amazed at how many people do not demonstrate basic manners. Rather than being upset with him, tell him what you want. If he willingly complies, move on to the next experience. Notice how he behaves, how he treats you and what his values are. Definitely bring your own money. A man who doesn’t think to pick you up probably isn’t thinking he should pay for your meal.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a college student, and I go to school out of town. I got my first and second tattoos in the past couple of weeks before I came home for the summer. My parents have been pretty against the idea of me getting any since I started drawing on myself with markers in elementary school. They can appreciate the art form on other people but are generally opposed to the idea on me. I always liked tattoos, and I have planned out several that I want to get over the years, but I am not sure how to introduce the idea to them or start a conversation about the ones I already have. How should I approach that conversation without sounding too harsh about their stance on tattoos and about my plans for more in the future? -- Parents Vs. Tattoos

DEAR PARENTS VS. TATTOOS: Do you understand your parents’ position about tattoos, and have you taken their thinking into consideration at all? For example, are you placing your tattoos strategically so that you can cover them in case a potential employer frowns on them? Chances are, your parents’ apprehension has to do with the big picture. Tattoos are so common now that everyone from business executives to schoolteachers sport them. Still, you want to keep your options open for however your life unfolds.

You can tell your parents that while you understand their perspective, you decided you wanted tattoos anyway, and you have gotten two. You can explain you are showing them out of respect, so that they know. Acknowledge that you know they don’t approve, but you wanted to tell them to be sure that they learned it from you.

(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: When I was married to a wealthy man, I had a lot of friends. However, after the divorce, it seems like I lost most of them. I find it really difficult to deal with because these friends meant a lot to me, and we had a long history. Most of these women knew me before I was wealthy, so I don't understand why they would be acting this way now. My lifestyle has changed since the divorce, and I feel like I am left with only a few close friends. How can I deal with my new reality? -- Friendless

DEAR FRIENDLESS: Sadly, when people divorce, they often shed friends. People choose one spouse over the other. If you were friends with couples, some may not want to stay connected to single people. It could also be, in your case, that some want to continue the wealthy lifestyle that you no longer enjoy. Whatever the reasons, it is normal for some friends to fall away when divorce occurs, adding to an already painful situation. It also shows you who your friends really are. Now is your time to reset. All you need are a few true friends. Look around and notice who is still there for you. Those are the people who are important. You may need to mourn the loss of the others, but don’t linger there too long.

DEAR HARRIETTE: Earlier this year, I was informed that my best friend's girlfriend -- and the mother of his children -- was diagnosed with cancer. I do not share a close relationship with her because I find her a little shady, but I extended my support to both of them. Recently, I was told by someone close to the couple that my friend’s girlfriend never had cancer and that they’ve both been lying about it. They lied not only to me, but to everyone they know. It was supposed to be some type of crowdfunding scam. Upon confronting my friend, he claimed that she was simply in remission. However, I feel that if she had actually been in remission, he would've told me because that’s such major news. Could the entire situation be a lie? I am feeling very conflicted. I want to believe my friend's explanation but cannot ignore the possibility that they lied to me. I feel that there’s no proper way to address this. If she really does have cancer, I sound like an awful person for accusing her of lying. What should I do? -- Sticky Situation

DEAR STICKY SITUATION: There really is nothing that you can do. You already approached your friend about it, and he did not admit to lying. You may never learn the truth about the woman’s health, but you can remember to trust your instincts. You started off by saying that you consider her to be shady. Don’t forget that. If they go for another round of crowdfunding, do not participate, and do not ask others to give either. Stay neutral. That means you shouldn’t spread any rumors about them either way. Just step back and live your life.

(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 have a sister-in-law I no longer speak to due to the fact that she thought she was entitled to my deceased mother’s belongings. My mother died of old age about a year ago and didn’t leave a will, so my brother, sister and I had to divide her belongings. My siblings and I didn’t have issues with this task, but my sister-in-law caused problems.

I wanted the dining room table because we grew up eating our meals around it, and I had many fond memories. However, my sister-in-law wanted it because she was remodeling their kitchen and thought it would look good in their house. My brother was indifferent about the table and didn’t care whether he got it. We started arguing about it and eventually came to the decision that I would get the table. For the remainder of the division of my mother’s things, she wouldn’t look at me or talk to me. It’s been this way for over a year. Is there any way we can resolve this when she won’t speak to me? -- Inheritance

DEAR INHERITANCE: People become oddly territorial when it comes to the belongings of the deceased. That’s why a will is so important, and I recommend that everyone have one -- even if you think you don’t own any possessions of value. When you are gone, everything that you owned can seem valuable to your grieving loved ones.

That said, since you are keenly aware of what happened and feel bad about it, you can be proactive. Reach out to your sister-in-law. Tell her that you would like to reconnect with her. Address the elephant in the room. Say that you know you two fell out over your mother’s table. You can express your sorrow that this possession caused a fracture in your relationship with her. Tell her you would like to rekindle your bond. Life is too short and precious for the two of you to still be at odds. See what she says.

DEAR HARRIETTE: Five of my friends are about to stay with me for a week for vacation. I miss them a lot and am excited to see them, but I know that I tend to get irritable on long trips, especially as the host. I live in New York City, so they want to go out and do tourist activities that do not appeal to me. I am also very independent, more so at home than at school where they know me. I am worried that I might get overwhelmed or irritable and want to spend time alone, but I know I can’t just leave them. Do you have any suggestions as to how I can keep my cool for a week? If I do get irritated, how should I address it with them so that they do not think I am really mad? -- Girls Trip

DEAR GIRLS TRIP: You have to get your head right. Your job will be tour guide and host for the week -- and it’s just one week. You can do it. Get up a little early and take a walk each day by yourself to get some alone time. Tell your friends that you need a bit of chill time daily so that they understand if you go off by yourself for a bit. If you adopt the attitude of being their guide, you can make the trip fun and adventurous for them. Just remember that it is only for a few days.

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