DEAR HARRIETTE: I receive endless calls from solicitors asking me to give money for their various causes. If I ever give any company money, I get called over and over again with more pushy requests. I am sick of it. Sometimes I hang up on the people, but I feel bad about that, because I know they are just doing their jobs.

How can I be respectful of solicitors without being stuck on the phone with them when I am not planning on spending money on the day they call? -- Fed Up, Washington, D.C.

DEAR FED UP: If you have caller ID on your phone, you may want to pay closer attention to it. If you do not recognize a number, particularly a toll-free number, let it go to voice mail. Usually solicitors do not leave messages, as they believe they are best at securing solicitations in live conversations.

I understand your temptation to hang up on these callers and your discomfort in so doing. I rarely hang up on them directly. Instead, I interrupt them the moment I figure out what they are pitching.

I usually have to be a bit pushy myself to get a word in. I say, "Excuse me, I don't want to waste your time. Thank you for calling, but I am not interested right now." I sometimes wait for them to say "thank you" and end the conversation, but if I can tell that they are going to ignore me and steamroll through with their prescriptive text, I say "goodbye" and hang up. See if this strategy helps to relieve you.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My ex called to let me know that his mother passed away. He was very upset, and it made me upset, too. She and I were very close when he and I were together. It has been about 10 years since we split, and we have our own lives. I feel kind of bad that I didn't stay in touch with her.

During the call, he asked if I would attend the funeral. I want to do so, but I think my husband might not like it. He knows about my ex, of course, but my ex hasn't been in my life at all over these years. What should I do? -- Funeral Etiquette, Shreveport, La.

DEAR FUNERAL ETIQUETTE: What does your heart say? Pay attention to that voice inside. It sounds as if you would like to attend out of respect for this woman's life and to support your ex.

There's nothing wrong with that -- provided you handle it appropriately with your husband. Don't assume that your husband will disapprove. If you honestly have no untoward feelings for your ex and want to attend out of respect and grief, tell your husband. You can even ask him to join you if he would like.

Most important is for you to be completely forthcoming with your husband so that he understands your position and state of mind.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I gave my favorite high-school teacher a scarf as a thank-you for being so supportive. I really wanted to get him a great gift, because he helped me in so many ways during those four years. He acted as if he liked it a lot, and he's a real fashion guy, so it made me feel happy that I had done a good job of picking it out.

The other day I had to go back to school to pick up something, and I noticed that another guy who works at the school was wearing the scarf I had given my teacher. I know it's the same one, because it was unique.

My feelings are really hurt. Obviously, my teacher didn't like the present. Should I say something? Should I give him something else? -- Sad Ex-Student, New Haven, Conn.

DEAR SAD EX-STUDENT: When you give a present to someone, it is supposed to be given freely. Of course, you hope the recipient will appreciate it and want to cherish it.

Interestingly, cherishing can take lots of different forms. Your teacher may have loved the gift but not needed another scarf. He may have great respect for the person to whom he gave the scarf, and he may have thought, "Perfect. He will really enjoy this." Sometimes sharing gifts makes them that much more special.

I totally see how that could be hard for you to understand since your feelings are hurt. But I doubt seriously that your teacher meant to reject your gift or hurt your feelings in any way. He may be one of those people who shares the wealth with all good intentions.

Don't say anything. If you want to stay in touch with your teacher, by all means, do so. He may remain a valuable connection for you.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I was given a Nook for my birthday, which was a few months ago. I was lukewarm about it because I already had an iPad, but I said thanks anyway.

Now I want to use it, plus, the person who gave it to me has been asking me where it is. I can't find it anywhere. I have no idea where it is.

I don't want to buy another one to replace it and save face. That's wasting money. What should I do? -- Lost My Nook, Salt Lake City

DEAR LOST MY NOOK: Clearly, you did not place great value on this gift, which is unfortunate.

I suggest that you look carefully in your home and retrace your steps. Though it was a few months ago, you are likely a creature of habit. Figure out how you usually spend your time and where you put things when you stow them. Make this a focused effort.

If you cannot find the Nook, tell the person who gave it to you -- when asked -- that you unfortunately have misplaced it.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am about to be in an awkward situation. I was recently engaged in a pretty intense process to see if I would be hired for a job. I worked a lot with the human-resources director, and we grew to be friendly. Then, when I didn't get the job, she sort of disappeared. Next week I am going to an event where I'm sure she will be present. I'm wondering, how should I react to her? There won't be that many people there, so I don't think I can avoid her. But I'm not sure what to say, either. -- Unsure, Dallas

DEAR UNSURE: First, you have to shore up your confidence. You didn't get the job, which may make you feel vulnerable or unsteady. That's natural.

What you can do is literally count your blessings. Write down what you know to be good and great about yourself, personally and professionally. Remember the good qualities that made you a viable candidate for the job. Recall positive interactions that you had with the human-resources director. Then remind yourself of the nature of the event you will be attending.

When you go to the event and see the HR director, walk right over to her and say hello. Ask how she is doing, and listen to her response. You can offer something about yourself if you like. Or you can say "good to see you" and keep moving.

By being proactive and seeking her out, you will show that you are confident and strong. Hold that intention, and the jitters should subside.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My son has been going to camp for a month now, and I just learned that two weeks into the camp, several children came down with lice. I was never notified of this. I learned only because the children were talking about it among themselves. When I inquired, the camp director said that it was true but that it was under control.

Every time there has been a lice outbreak at my son's school, we have gotten notifications immediately so that we would know to watch for lice. I am outraged at the lax behavior of this counselor. What can I do about it? -- Itchy, Chicago

DEAR ITCHY: Please know that schools and camps are not required to inform parents of lice outbreaks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, head lice outbreaks are relatively common in schools. Lice do not compromise children's health, and they can be treated effectively.

This, of course, doesn't make parents feel better. It's still unnerving when a child brings home head lice.

While the camp policy may not be on your side, you can still reach out to the camp administrator and make it clear that you wish you had been informed. Ask for this to become the policy in the future.

For more information on preventing or treating head lice, visit www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/prevent.html.