DEAR HARRIETTE: This summer, I went camping with a group of friends. On the way back home, the driver hit a raccoon. Everyone in the car acknowledged the road kill, and we even spoke about how some countries are working to prevent animal deaths on the highway. I thought this would be the end of ever thinking about this incident, but the driver learned that I am a vegetarian after the trip and has been apologizing about the raccoon ever since. The past three social events we've had together, the driver mentions that the road kill was an accident. The first time I said I was not offended and hadn't even thought about the incident. The second time, I admittedly snapped. I said I clearly do not care, and the driver should get over the road kill as well. This led the driver to believe I care much more than I do, and the apologizing happened again at the third party. Is this driver obsessed with the raccoon or just trying to find a way to talk to me? I am not offended and simply want to stop talking about this. -- Raccoon Rambling, Syracuse, New York
DEAR RACCOON RAMBLING: The best way to find out is to ask this person directly why he can't let the unfortunate raccoon incident go. Tell him that you do not want to talk about it anymore, but if he wants to talk about other things, why not?
(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)