Q: I am a married 31-year-old secretary at a school. My female boss, the school's principal, has treated me differently ever since she saw my husband and me at the movies. Here is what happened: Outside of work, my husband asks me to go braless, which I do for him. I was wearing a fairly low-cut dress, and I am fairly well-endowed. My breasts bounce slightly, but they do not sag or flop. I think it offended my boss, even though I was away from work and on my own time. Any thoughts?

A: Going braless was a more common thing to do in the 1960s and '70s, during the hippie era. Even if some people disliked it then, it was not considered a shocking thing to do. In 2008, other fads have become popular in certain groups, such as college kids having piercings, tattoos and unusually colored hair. Going braless with large breasts bouncing is not one of them.

You are not a child at 31. Think about the image you want before you do things in public. What you do for your husband at home is between two consenting adults, but your professional image should be congruent with your image in the outside world. You did nothing illegal, so your boss can't bring it to your attention or fire you over it, but that doesn't mean it isn't going to affect her opinion of you. Going braless in a low-cut top with large, somewhat bouncing breasts brings to mind a Playboy bunny, a stripper or a woman screaming for attention. To clear the air at work, talk to your boss. Tell her you've noticed a difference in how she treats you since she saw you outside work. Explain that you dressed as you did for your husband, that it embarrassed you and that you won't be walking around like that again.

Because you only dressed like that for your husband, you are not likely to miss that negative attention from others.

Navy Career and Government Position Lead to a Good Corporate Job

Q: My husband never has been on a job interview. He was in the Navy for 11 years and then applied for, was offered and started a government position that next week. He has been at that position for 22 years. Now at 52, he saw a good job opportunity, applied for it and the next day was called in for an interview with the director of operations. The company is filling positions in six different cities, so he would have a choice of where to work. He is a good candidate, but he never has had to sell himself in an interview. Any suggestions?

A: Relax. Whatever your husband has been doing, he has been doing it right. His Navy background and longtime career in the same field make him an expert. His ability to dedicate himself to a position shows stability and loyalty. Rarely do people get called in so quickly for interviews and hired so quickly after the interview, so his appearance and presentation must be polished and professional.

Because he has had a successful track record, this interview probably will be a more detailed fact-finding conversation and a chance to get to know him. Now all you have to do is research the cities before choosing one.

Please send your questions to: Lindsey Novak, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. E-mail her at LindseyNovak@yahoo.com, or visit her Web site at www.LindseyNovak.com. To find out more about Lindsey Novak and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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