DEAR HARRIETTE: I live in a rural area, and my family is composed of avid hunters -- except for me. My teenage daughter has just gotten a job in the nearest town, 30 minutes away. She mentioned to me that she told her boss about how my entire family owns many guns and that we cannot wait for deer season. Her boss apparently was uncomfortable with the conversation and steered it away from guns. When my daughter told me, she laughed and said her boss must be from a family of "city folk." This is a term my husband uses for anyone who does not feel the same way about guns, and now my daughter has adopted the phrase. I did not know what to tell my daughter about how to react to her boss, so I told her to not be as vocal about her hobbies. I do not want to feel ashamed and embarrassed about what my husband and kids do. I also do not want to be judged because of their actions. Was I wrong to tell my daughter to not talk about guns at work? It is a very normal part of her life, so I'm not sure she understands why others would be put off. -- No Gun Talk, Minneapolis

DEAR NO GUN TALK: Gun ownership and usage is a volatile topic these days. Generally, people take sides, either vehemently being for the right to bear arms for everyone, including the right to use guns for hunting, or the desire to limit who should be able to own a gun. You may recall that recently an American dentist who is a big-game hunter shot and killed a beloved lion in Africa. He was internationally maligned, and the backlash affected his personal life and his career.

Your family is operating on a much smaller scale, but this is still a prickly time. I think it's wise for your daughter to keep her hunting hobby to herself. This doesn't mean that she should lie about it. More, she should focus her conversations at work on work-related topics.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have recently been introduced to a funny and quirky guy. I enjoy spending time in his company -- except for one habit of his: Whenever he does something feminine, he jokes that he feels his "rights being taken away," like a woman's. Sometimes he switches up the punch line and says that he feels himself "turning into a second-class citizen." Walter is gay, so he feels he can make these jokes because neither of us are "straight white men." I would never consider making any sort of joke about how I feel gay, and I feel myself losing my rights. Walter seems like a great friend if you overlook this comedic hiccup, and I don't want to have to shut down the mood when this happens. I haven't laughed at this joke and need it to stop. Is it time for a quip back? -- Over the Line, Bronx, New York

DEAR OVER THE LINE: Be direct with your new friend during a private moment, and tell him it bothers you when he jokingly diminishes women. Ask him to stop. If you have the energy -- which I highly recommend -- engage him in an honest discussion about rights, power, gender and sexuality. Let this discomfort lead you both to a richer place.

(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.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: A friend of the family was rude to me recently. He is my father's best friend, and he has been out of work for years. He used to work full time, was fired and has not been able to find a job since. His wife supports them both, and they have no children. I have a part-time job and am still in school. There is a 30-year difference in our ages, and I have always respected the opinions of those senior to me. However, my father's best friend decided that it was his responsibility to tell me that a part-time job will never support me, that I am delusional and that I do not know how to work hard. Although alcohol probably aided his honesty toward me, I felt it was impossible to defend myself without coming off as rude. He does not even have a job!

I responded by saying that I am trying my best to juggle saving money for myself and getting an education, and the conversation seemed to end there. No one defended me while this was happening, probably because they did not want to bring up the fact that the friend does not have any job to begin with. How do I defend myself politely next time without causing a scene? -- New Generation, Detroit

DEAR NEW GENERATION: Fueled by inebriation, your father's friend was likely speaking his truth by expressing the loss and missed opportunities that can come from not having a full-time, well-paying job. Take his comments as fuel that will ensure that you keep up your energy to complete your education and build a life for yourself of your own design that will fund your lifestyle. Next time you get caught in a conversation with him when he is lecturing you, excuse yourself and leave the room. Do not engage someone who is drunk and belligerent. It will never work to your advantage.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been traveling to my parents' country since I was 1 year old. I have been roughly 20 times, and because of my visits, I am forced to get tested for tuberculosis. These tests are frustrating to me because I have to schedule two visits in three days with my doctor. My schedule is too hectic for this, and I think the best bet is to avoid going to the doctor after every visit for these tests. I've never had tuberculosis and would certainly go to the doctor if I were feeling ill. Could I get away with skipping a few tests between visits? -- Avoid the MD, Brooklyn, New York

DEAR AVOID THE MD: You need to talk to your doctor about this. If the country you are visiting has a significant enough outbreak of tuberculosis to require this level of observation, you probably need to continue following the protocol. But it is worth it for you to check with your local doctor to verify that you have to follow all of those steps after having visited so many times. Ask all the questions you have, but make sure you follow the directions once you receive them -- even if they don't change.

Also, look into visiting an urgent care facility. Many now have walk-in TB testing available.

(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.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend has thrown himself into supporting Bernie Sanders for this upcoming election. He distributes flyers, makes signs and gives out buttons and pins to practically everyone he sees. I try to redirect political conversations away from me because though I support Bernie Sanders as well, I do not want our conversations for the next year to revolve around politics. Is there any way to draw the line about politics around me, or is that too controlling to propose? -- Ticked Off by Politics, St. Louis

DEAR TICKED OFF BY POLITICS: As much as you dislike your boyfriend's actions, I have to tell you that I think it is refreshing that a young couple is even talking about politics at all. Yes, you should figure out how to manage your conversations so that they can be varied, but do your best to be grateful for the fact that you are in a relationship with someone who cares about the political process and wants to have a positive impact based upon what he believes. That you two seem to like the same candidate only makes it easier.

Tell your boyfriend that you do not want politics to consume every moment you are together. Ask him to try hard to maintain a personal relationship with you that extends beyond the presidential election. You may need to remind him at times.

DEAR HARRIETTE: After scrolling through Craigslist looking for a roommate, I found a girl who didn't seem like a dangerous thief to move in and split the rent with. Surprisingly, we get along fairly well and do share a good laugh sometimes. However, her tendency to be messy and touch my belongings drives me crazy. I am probably a little possessive, but I hate when she plugs her phone into my charger or uses my tissues. I assumed we would be moving into a more rigid situation, and she feels comfortable leaning on my bed or using some of my hand lotion. In order to avoid confrontation, I have adopted more passive-aggressive tendencies. If I see her phone in my charger, I unplug it and move it back to "her" side of the apartment. If she decides to start talking to me when I am reading or have headphones on, I tensely listen to her. She seems to think we are sisters or BFFs, and I do not know how to draw any boundaries. I tried to have a list of rules, and she broke them in front of me and laughed it off as she stole my hand lotion. I am not sure if I am being too uptight or if this girl needs to get pushed back. I do not even go near her belongings, let alone act how she does with my stuff. What should I do? -- Passive Aggressive and Possessive, Dallas

DEAR PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE AND POSSESSIVE: You have to stand up for yourself. Revisit the written list of rules. Tell your roommate that you think it's important for both of you to agree to living conditions that are comfortable on both sides. Tell her you do not want her to use your belongings. Define shared things and responsibilities. Put your personal things in your personal space whenever possible so that they are not in her purview.

(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.)