Ask Maxy

Dear Maxy,

My daughter-in-law says if food os on the floor for three seconds or less , it is OK for her four-year-old son to eat it .

At my house , I insist that he wash his hands before eating , and when I can , I clean his fingernails with a small brush and soap because his nails are always filthy . At his own home , however , he never washes his hands before meals . Should I say something ?

Concerned Grandma

Dear Grandma ,

Unless your grandson is frequently sick , say nothing . A lot of people follow the "three-second rule" about dropped food . It's not the healthiest thing to do , but we assume the floor is cleaned regularly and the food isn't covered in grime (or worse). Continue to teach your grandson appropriate hygiene in your home , and suggest to your son that he do the same . Beyond that, let it go .

Maxy

Dear Maxy ,

My assistant is very sweet and earnest in her efforts , but she has one significant shortcoming : She has no clue what is apporpriate to wear to business functions . She has attended several functions with me or on my behalf recently , and she has been an embarrassment . What I mean by this is that she is either been way to casual , even wearing sneakers to an after-five cocktail function , or she has gone overboard and worn something way too sexy that should be reserved for a date . I tried to give her a little advice on what to wear the last time , but it didn't get through.

How can I help her ? I won't be able to invite her anymore if she doesn't dress more apppriately . She could have a promising career .

Fashion-Conscious Boss

Dear Fashion-Conscious Boss,

I bet your assistant truly doesn't have a sense of what appopriate professional attire is .She needs a real education . Tell your assistance that it is essential she learn how to dress appopriately for the functions in which your company participates , or she will no longer be invited to attend . Assure her that you will help her learn what's appopriate.

You can go online to websites that present fashion . Type in "professional dress for women" and many ideas will pop up .

If your assistant balks at dressing more appopriately , make it clear that her workplace has wardrobe standards . Tell her that you want her to win at your company , so you recommend that she find her style within the cmpany's boundaries .

Maxy

Dear Maxy,

I am in a quandary , I asked my brother and his wife to buy a raffle ticket to benefit my grandchildren's youth athletic boosters . They agreed and promised to get the money to me the week before the drawing .

By the night of the drawing , they still had not paid for the ticket , so I paid for it myself . This ticket actually won the raffle . I asked the people in charge what to do , and they said the ticket was mine at the time of the drawing , so the winnings belong to me .

My brother showed up a week later with a check dated the night of the drawing . I told him the raffle was over , but he would not take his check back . I didn't tell him the ticket won . What should I do ?

Want To Do The Right Thing

Dear Want ,

Technically , the ticket belonged to you at the time of the drawing . However , it is obviously still a source of anxiety , so I suggest a compromise . You purchased this ticket for your brother and was holding it for him . He provided a check in good faith , albeit late . Unless there are legal repercussions , I think you should give him the winning or at least offer to split them .

You'll feel better .

Maxy