DEAR HARRIETTE: Recently, a new clothing store opened up in the town I live in. Previously, every teenage girl had ordered clothing from the store's website or gone to the store in the next state over because there was never one close by. The opening seems ideal, except no one wants to go in because of the employees. The store has, seemingly unknowingly, hired the "mean girls" from the town high school. They are very public about loving their jobs, and they turn away business from the store because no one wants to interact with them. Do I have the responsibility of telling the store owner why he isn't getting business, or should I not meddle? I have been a part of this town my whole life. I go to school with these girls, so I know what I'm talking about. I mean, at least 200 girls have said they won't go in because of them. But I don't want to be a gossip. -- Should I Tell, Westchester, New York
DEAR SHOULD I TELL: As a member of your town, you definitely should speak up. Find out who the owner or manager is and ask for a meeting at a time when the girls in question are not at work. Tell this person that you are happy the store came to your town and that you are concerned about their future sales because of the reputation these girls have at the local high school.
Make it clear that your intention is not to spread gossip but that you know that a sizeable number of girls have said they will not step foot in the door because these girls work there and they are rude. It will be in the store owners' hands after that.
(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.)