Please send your questions for publication to prudence@slate.com.

Dearest Prudie,

At a recent dinner party I found myself sitting next to the mother of a third-grader. Running out of conversational gambits, I asked whether her daughter was enjoying the Harry Potter series, popular among that age group. In response to my puffball question, the mother became agitated and explained that she's uncomfortable allowing her daughter to read Harry Potter books "because there are witches and sorcerers out there who can hurt us." Needless to say, I sought refuge in a discussion of the weather. Prudie, should I inform my friends—the evening's hosts—that their friend is a freak? Also, are there any other conversational minefields I should avoid? I await your sage counsel.

—Dan, New York City

Dear Dan,

My, my, what an addled dinner partner you wound up with. Too bad you didn't ask her the date and time of the next book-burning. Prudie has very little patience with the people who get all het up about the content of children's books. Some of them, you know, think that Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs should be visited by the vice squad, and that Huck Finn is wicked. There is no need to make a point of informing your hosts (obviously friends of the woman) that her elevator doesn't go all the way to the top. If her name should come up in conversation, however ... well, Prudie leaves you to your own devices.

—Prudie, witchily

Dear Prudie,

My two best friends are dating. I am completely fine with this; I'm even OK with it when they kiss in front of me. However, recently they've been taking my nonchalant attitude the wrong way. It's gone way beyond kissing, and while they've done nothing particularly offensive, I don't enjoy sitting around while they do their thing and completely ignore me. Should I confront them about this?

—Odd One Out