Who are you?
Dear Heloise: Idoalotof business all over the country. It is important to identify yourself as soon as the call is answered. Skip the time-wasting pleasantries, because no one finds it interesting. (Heloise here: I don’t agree on this point. It depends on who you are talking to and what the relationship is.) I have a landline with no caller ID, so it’s nice to know who is on the line. — Helen R., Manhattan, Kan.
Photo opportunity
Dear Heloise: When we travel by air, I always take a picture of the baggageclaim check that the agent attaches to the back of the boarding pass. That way, I don’t have to hunt for it if I get to my destination before my luggage does, and I don’t worry about the airline losing track of the claim check number. — Betsy S., Kensington, Md.
Travel mugs and takeout coffee
Dear Heloise: I am always worried about travel mugs and takeout coffee cups being spilled in my car or on my blouse. So, I cut a straw short enough to stick out of the lid hole. That way, I can sip the coffee without tipping the cup up. But be sure the coffee is cool enough to drink. — S.G., Omaha, Neb.
Potty-training hints
Dear Heloise: While potty-training my children, I put blue food coloring in the toilet water and told them they could magically turn the water green. This is especially effective with boys. — Kristine, Monmouth County, N.J.
Online pet safety
Dear Heloise: I belong to a lost-and-found pet group, and we use Facebook. Recently, a man posted a photo of a woman, saying she had stolen his dog. It was discovered later that the name and photo he used were not real. Please urge your readers to be cautious when giving out information on someone’s whereabouts. We do not know this man’s intentions, but they obvi- ously were not good. — Lisa Z., via email
Lisa, thanks for the cau- tion. Readers, PLEASE stop and think before automati- cally assuming information is correct. Consider the source, and double-check before jumping on the bandwagon. — Heloise
Sound off/sound on
Dear Heloise: In Mon- day’s Sound Off, perhaps you could change it to “random acts of kindness” or some- thing along those lines. — Liz A., via email
Liz, I do run “Sound On” comments from readers. The “Sound Off ” is so read- ers can comment on some- thing they find irritating. Bring on the “Sound Ons”! — Heloise
Save that cereal box!
Dear Heloise: I discov- ered that an empty cereal box is useful to collect dis- carded paper and enve- lopes for recycling in the office. It is sturdier than a paper sack, and it fits con- veniently on the shelf. It is easy to toss into the recy- cle bin when full. — Don T., Sacramento, Calif. Send a great hint to: Heloise
P.O. Box 795000
San Antonio, TX 78279-5000 Fax: 1-210-HELOISE Email: Heloise(at)Heloise. com