DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently attended a friend's housewarming, and the apartment was beautiful. There was a guy there I had previously seen in passing, and he seems like a cool person. During the housewarming party, he kept trying to entertain people and be the center of attention. He continued to brag about his many escapades with beautiful women and objectifying them. I'm not sure if the stories are true, but I definitely didn't think he would be interested in women, based on his mannerisms. And honestly, that's perfectly fine with me. I work in an industry with homosexual people, and I am all for people having their personal preferences. I think the storyteller guy was simply putting on a show, and I don't understand why people lie just to lie. Why do some people feel like they have to overcompensate when talking to other people? -- Putting Up a Front, Los Angeles
DEAR PUTTING UP A FRONT: Stop making assumptions about this man. While he could be homosexual and overcompensating by talking about engagements with women, he could also be telling the truth. Don't get caught up in his drama, which has absolutely nothing to do with you.
As you go through life, you are likely to notice plenty of people who crave being the center of attention. Sometimes these people tend to exaggerate their reality in order to draw others in. Other people actually do have fantastical stories that fill their lives. Whatever the case, do your best to observe without judgment. If you find people's behavior distasteful, walk away -- unless they are being rude to others whom you choose to defend.