DEAR ABBY: I'm slightly confused. If someone has extremely good qualities and states what they are, is that bragging -- even if there was no intention of making others feel bad? -- INQUISITIVE IN SUNNYVALE, CALIF.
DEAR INQUISITIVE: It's a matter of degree. Tooting one's own horn isn't necessarily bragging; it can be a form of self-promotion. However, if you go on and on about your own "extremely good qualities" and fail to mention the good qualities of others, frankly, you will eventually find yourself talking only to yourself.