Commandeered Dear Abby: CO-WORKER WANTS HER CAKE -- AND SOME FOR HER FAMILY, TOO

DEAR SURLY, I work in an office where folks sometimes bring in birthday cakes, desserts and other goodies to share. 'Dolores' is always the first in line, and helps herself to a large portion of the treats and says she's taking some home for her family.

Last week, someone brought in an exotic dessert and I got out the dessert-sized paper plates. Dolores took out two regular-sized paper plates and cut off a quarter of the entire dessert! No one could believe it, but we didn't know what to say or do. One time, she actually cut a huge portion of someone's birthday cake to take home before the 'birthday boy' even got a slice. This woman is not poor. What do you recommend? -- 'DESSERTED' IN TENNESSEE

DESSERTED, I recommend that you tell her she's a pig. She's using her social miasma to bully you all and take a bigger cut of the trough, and she'll continue to do so until someone calls her out. So you can either ration your work sweets or you can grow a spine.

DEAR SURLY: When I take my children to the pediatrician, we are usually there for one reason -- flu-like symptoms, stomachache, etc. Sometimes my child will happen to have another ailment, like a sore ankle or a fever blister.

I don't feel comfortable bringing up additional issues with our doctor because when I do, I get the 'evil eye' from him -- like he's only there to help with the one reason for our visit.

Is it appropriate to talk to the doctor about several medical problems in one visit, or only stick to the issue at hand? -- IN A QUANDARY, KETTERING, OHIO

QUANDARY, who's paying whom here? You're the client, and you're in charge. It's funny that you let him manipulate you with a little glare. If you do hash it out with him, he may resent you for culling his laziness, so if it comes to a verbal spar, it may behoove you to seek a new physician. When or if that happens, you might want to get on all those "rate your doctor" websites, and warn off other people who might be shopping for healthcare.

See Abby's responses at http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/?uc_full_date=20100312