Please send your questions for publication to prudence@slate.com.

Dear Prudence,

I was riding the subway to visit some pals in a neighboring borough and a pleasant young man got on two stops after I did. He and I chatted about the weather, the stock market, the Mets. About five minutes into our conversation I noticed a lot of people were looking at him funny. Then I heard muffled chuckles that eventually built up to whooping, bansheelike laughter. When he turned around to find out what was going on, I noticed the problem: His hairpiece had gotten caught in itself and was all askew. I tried to casually tell him the problem, but I too broke up.

Prudence, the look on his face was heartbreaking. And to make things worse, this guy belongs to my gym and I see him often. Every time he sees me a look of pure dread comes over his face and he scampers away. I feel awful. I want to apologize to the guy, but I am afraid that would make him feel worse. Got any ideas?

—Lacking Tact, but Trying

Dear Lack,

As Prudie read your letter, she too laughed out loud, but here's a suggestion to put everyone at ease. Since the episode with the screwed up rug has been tacitly acknowledged, and the guy tries to hide from you because of embarrassment, invite him to sit down for a chat or a cup of coffee. If you make the first move and issue the invitation, he will sense you are a safe place, and then you can have a conversation. Tell him he has a very pleasing personality, and why is he bothering with a rug, anyway? Mention some well-known bald guys: Yul Brynner, Sean Connery, Michael Milkin, Kojak ... anybody you can think of. Then suggest he give the natural look a try, pointing out that many women find balding men sexy. This chap may or may not give up the rug, but at least you will have tried to ameliorate his embarrassment, and the meeting-greeting relationship at the gym will get back to normal.

—Prudie, naturally

Prudie,

This is a delicate family matter, and I don't want to make a mistake. My younger sister, we are both in our 40s, just lost her husband. The thing is that they were talking about divorce, and the marriage hadn't been good for years. While she is not out at clubs five nights a week, she's not acting like the traditional grieving widow. I don't find her behavior outlandish, but anyone with good antennae could figure out she is not overwhelmed with sadness. I'm not sure if I should say something to her.