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Dear Pru,

I need your advice on how to deal with an uncomfortable situation at work. I am an administrative nurse in a nursing home and share an office with another nurse, whom I will call "Vicki." Vicki is gay and quite open about it. I don't have a problem with that; however, this woman feels the need to share information with me that I have no interest in hearing, regardless of what one's sexual orientation happens to be. She talks about sex frequently. I have a LOT of difficulty setting boundaries and have had similar problems in the past with people sharing really inappropriate information. I guess I don't know how to say, "I would really rather not know that." Well, today, Vicki started talking about body piercing and asked if I wanted to see her nipple ring, and all I could think of was to (very weakly) say, "Um, OK." So, she whipped out her breast for me to see the nipple ring. Is there a polite way to tell this woman that I have no interest in hearing about her sex life or seeing any part of her body that is customarily clothed in the office? If not, then what is the least rude way to get that point across?

—Overwhelmed in the Office

Dear Over,

Prudie does not wish to rag on you, but you have been very passive about something that is entirely within your control to put a lid on. And the last time Prudie checked, appropriate office behavior did not include baring one's breast so a co-worker could see someone's, uh, breast jewelry. This woman was not offering you a cup of tea. "Um, OK," is not the correct response when you are thinking, "No!" You really should disabuse yourself of the idea that it's problematic to say what you think or to tell anyone that you do not wish to hear his or her personal details. The kids call it TMI … too much information. Go and do likewise.

—Prudie, correctively

Dear Prudence,

My fiance and I—neither of whom have been married before—are planning and paying for our wedding. Because we do not want a big, lavish ceremony (nor can we afford one) and because we have been to too many other ceremonies where the bridal shower, wedding gift, bachelor and bachelorette parties, etc. have amounted to a small fortune, we've decided to make things simple for ourselves and our guests. There will be no attendants or groomsmen, no showers or parties, no multiple-store gift registries. As we're in our late 20s and have lived on our own for several years, we already have enough household items and do not need more. Instead, we are planning to ask our guests to give monetary gifts rather than buying toasters or dishes. We have received some flak from our family about the lack of tradition. I know this is our day, and it is completely up to us how we want to celebrate it, but we would like an objective third party (you!) to give your opinion. Thank you very much.

—Bride-To-Be

Dear Bride,

Tradition is taking it in the neck these days, so don't get too worked up about the flak you're receiving. We are living at a time when a dog has served as "best man," couples tie the knot on Ferris wheels, and more than a few brides have waltzed down the aisle in maternity clothes. For better or for worse, we are making new traditions. To tell you the truth, your thinking is sound about needless presents and multiple parties. But because wedding gifts of cash are associated with the Sopranos, humor might soften the situation, especially since your wedding sounds like it's going to be a warm and informal affair. Perhaps enclose a note with your invitation saying, basically, what you wrote to Prudie. For example:

We're having no showers or parties and such.

We've got all our "stuff," so our needs are not much.

What we could use most (and it's one-size-fits-all)

Is the check of your choice … and no trip to the mall.

—Prudie, audaciously