DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a fairly large plot of land, so I employ gardeners and landscapers to help me keep it presentable. I tend to my personal vegetable garden, but the grass, bushes and flowers are cared by a group of workers from Central America.

Recently, I witnessed my gardeners catcalling women from my property a few days ago. I don’t speak or understand Spanish, but I saw that they were whistling and clearly making the woman walking on the sidewalk uncomfortable. I was home alone, and I totally froze. My wife would be furious if the neighborhood knew we employed men who made women feel uncomfortable just for walking. How do I stop this behavior? I did some research and found it is more common in Latin American culture to publically admire women. I do not condone this, especially from paid employees. – Whistling Stops Now, Greenwich, Connecticut

DEAR WHISTLING STOPS NOW: This is a thorny situation, exacerbated by the language barrier and potential cultural difference. Best-case scenario, you should find someone who is fluent in Spanish who can serve as a translator for you. (It would probably be best if your translator were a man.) If you find someone, explain the situation and ask him to translate for you as you explain that calling out to women while working on your property is forbidden. Make sure you describe what you saw with your own eyes, including the way that the women reacted. Tell the men that you appreciate their work, but you need them to refrain from such commentary. That could be enough, especially if you have a good translator.

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DEAR HARRIETTE: My parents have been divorced for years. Their relationship isn’t the friendliest, but it could certainly be worse. Occasionally, one parent will ask me about the other, and I don’t really know how to respond.

Growing up, we were told to not tell the other parent about things like finances or relationships. Now, I’m in uncharted territory when any questions come up, and I am unsure of how to answer. I don’t really know the motives, and I’d love to believe the best from both of my parents, but I want to learn how to deflect or shut down probing questions about the other party.

How do I show that I’m not going to be a gossip about the other parent? Both parents do this. – Broken Telephone, Syracuse, New York

DEAR BROKEN TELEPHONE: Stick with your tried and true rules. When either parent asks about the other, redirect them. Suggest that they pick up their own phones to check in. If pressed, remind them that not being a go-between or informant has worked well for you for all these years. No need to change it now.

— Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to [email protected] or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.