We consider the following question: Let S1 and S2 be two smooth, totally-real surfaces in C 2 that contain the origin. If the union of their tangent planes is locally polynomially convex at the origin, then is S1 ∪ S2 locally polynomially convex at the origin? If T0S1 ∩ T0S2 = {0}, then it is a folk result that the answer is yes. We discuss an obstruction to the presumed proof, and provide a different approach. When dim R (T0S1 ∩T0S2) = 1, we present a geometric condition under which no consistent answer to the above question exists. We then discuss conditions under which we can expect local polynomial convexity.2000 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary: 32E20, 46J10.