HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR HELOISE: Here are my pet peeves:

1. Music that is too loud in restaurants. It is so loud, you can’t talk. They should have a room with low or no music.

2. It would be so helpful if chips came in a zippered bag.

3. Oh, and my top peeve: labels on merchandise that will not come off easily — like on plates, containers, etc. You have to scrub and wash. Just ridiculous.

— Shirley S., Tyler, Texas DEAR READER: I’m happy to be your sounding board. Reach out to these companies and tell them how you feel.

Speak to the manager of the restaurant, call the chip company and email the manufacturer of the plates and containers. They all are in the business of pleasing people, and if you’re not pleased, that’s a problem.

P.S. When you call or email, don’t be surprised if they offer you coupons for free products. The phone number and email address should be on the packaging.

DEAR HELOISE: After many years of buying makeup-remover wipes, which are expensive, I found that baby wipes for sensitive skin work great, leave my face soft and cost a fraction of the price, with more product.

— Beverly H., Florida

DEAR HELOISE: Regarding the hint about pumping gas: I have many people open the vehicle door and get back inside while they are waiting for the pump to finish. People should never wait inside the vehicle.

— Rhona B., Silver Spring, Md. DEAR READER: Static electricity can build up if someone is in contact with car upholstery, and gas fumes can then ignite the vehicle. It is unlikely that this would happen, but it is not worth the risk.

DEAR HELOISE: Many liquids come in bottles sealed with a foil/plastic disc that can be difficult to remove — but there’s no need to.

Especially for situations in which a controlled dispensing of the liquid is desired, I use a knife to carefully poke a small hole in the seal. This allows dispensing a small amount onto a cotton ball for home uses — for example, witch hazel, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and nail-polish remover — or a controlled pour from a large container into a narrow opening, such as the reservoirs for wiper fluid, antifreeze and motor oil under the hood of the car.

— Miz R.D. in Houston