DEAR HARRIETTE: I was invited to my ex-boyfriend’s family dinner. I am friends with his family and his siblings, but going there for dinner would make me feel uncomfortable. The thought was there, and they are very nice to me, but they keep on inviting me. I politely decline, but how do I tell them nicely that I do not feel comfortable eating there anymore? -- Ex-Friend, Salt Lake City

DEAR EX-FRIEND: This is an awkward situation, even though some people manage to navigate it without difficulty. My recommendation is to communicate with the family member with whom you feel the closest. Have a direct conversation with him or her, and thank the family for remaining so kind and thoughtful to you. Admit that you are not comfortable coming to their home for dinner, at least not right now. Explain that since you and your ex are no longer together, you need some time before being connected to his family. Ask that the family try to understand.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I was in the school parking lot, walking to my car. I was pretty far from my car, but I could still see it from a distance. As I was walking to my car, I saw the person who was parked next to me hit my door. It has a few scratches, but nothing too bad. This person just drove away, thinking nobody saw it. I do not know how to confront this person because he doesn’t know I saw him hit my car. But I know him. He is in one of my classes. I am mad that he thought he could get away with banging up my car and just driving off. How should I tell him? -- Damaged Car, Milwaukee

DEAR DAMAGED CAR: If you are sure of who hit your car, say something to him about it. Without a video or another eyewitness, you may not be able to get him to pay for damages, although you could try. But even if it’s just for posterity and honesty, you absolutely can call out this classmate for scratching up your door and then driving off. You can even speak to the principal about it, pointing out what you believe happened. This will likely embarrass the alleged offender. Depending on his personality and willingness to be honest, he may not ever admit any wrongdoing. What you will have done, though, is to stand up for yourself.

If, by chance, the parking lot has surveillance cameras, you may be able to prove your case. It is worth asking, even if the scrapes are insignificant, as long as you truly believe that this person is lying. Good luck!

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: A man approached me while I was sitting outside at the public library. He sat down next to me and started to talk to me. A few minutes into the conversation, I began to feel uncomfortable. I started to pack up my books to make it clear I was leaving. There was no one else in sight, which made me feel even more nervous.

As I was getting up to leave, this man asked me for my number. I gave him a fake number, so when he called it, it did not go through to my phone. He accused me of giving him the wrong number and would not let me leave. I gave him my real number, and he harassed me over text until I blocked him. I have not told anyone, but I am nervous he is secretly following me. Should I tell someone? -- Stalkerdude, Santa Rosa, California

DEAR STALKERDUDE: I’m so sorry that you were intimidated into giving any number at all. You should have gotten up and gone back into the library as soon as you felt uncomfortable so that you would not be in a vulnerable place.

What you can do now is report this man to the police. Show the texts to prove how this man has been approaching you. Explain the whole situation, and tell the police that you feel unsafe. Ultimately, you may need to change your phone number. In the future, never give your phone number to someone who is trying to intimidate you.

DEAR HARRIETTE: One of my best friends is having a lot of trouble at home lately. Her sister is in rehab, and her mom just had preventive breast-cancer surgery. She does not know that I know any of this because she has not felt comfortable telling any of our friends. I think she thinks that we will judge her or think of her family differently, but that is not the case. I want to be there for her and help her, but I can’t because I am not supposed to know about any of these problems. How can I be there for her and support her when I have to act like I know nothing? -- True Star, Reno, Nevada

DEAR TRUE STAR: This may be a time to reveal what you know -- incrementally. You might approach your best friend by saying that you know she has been going through a lot lately, and you want to be there to support her. While you do not need to know the details of her family’s issues, you do want to help support her in whatever ways you can. Tell her that if she needs a sounding board, you are ready to listen. If she wants to escape and go do something fun, just give you a call. Make it clear that you aren’t interested in getting into her personal business. You just want to be a helpful friend.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have noticed one of my friends acting off and not herself lately. She has lost over 15 pounds in the last two months and is always crying. My friends and I have been worried and do not know how to approach her because she is so sensitive and does not listen to anything we say. Should we say something to her parents? Or how do you suggest we approach her directly? -- Worried Friend, Phoenix

DEAR WORRIED FRIEND: You have every reason to be worried about your friend’s well-being. It is not normal for a person to lose so much weight so quickly, nor to be so consistently emotional. Before going to her parents, try talking to your friend. You can say upfront how much you care about her and want her to be happy and healthy. Tell her you have noticed that she cries a lot and you are wondering if anything happened to make her sad. Be still and listen to see if she will share what’s going on.

As far as the weight goes, tread even more carefully. Invite her out to eat with you. Notice if she eats at all. Then go for it and tell her that you have noticed that she has lost a lot of weight. Ask if she is feeling OK and if she knows why she is losing so rapidly. If your friend is unwilling to discuss any of her issues and seems to be in denial, the next step is her parents.

When you go to them, try to make the meeting face-to-face. Be upfront and tell them about your worries. Explain that you know how sensitive their daughter is so you don’t want to hurt her feelings, but you would feel irresponsible if you didn’t say anything to her parents.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My senior prom is coming up in a month. Usually, the guys ask the girls to prom. At our school, it is called a “promposal,” and it is a big deal. I am not the kind of girl who likes to publicize relationships; I like to keep everything private. The guy who is asking me to prom wants to make it a big deal, but I do not know how to tell him I don’t want to be promposed to without making him upset. What should I do? -- Prom Girl, Rye, New York

DEAR PROM GIRL: This is a tough situation that likely requires compromise. Your date is proud to have you go with him and wants to brag about it, which is your school's norm. He may get teased for keeping it a secret. You must tell him that you don’t love the idea of the public promposal. Do not expect him to know this. Ask him if he can make his declaration as quiet as possible because you do not like being the center of attention. Talk together about a plan that you can feel comfortable with.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)