DEAR ABBY: I'm comfortable with my faith and pray before a meal at home and at friends' houses. We have become friendly with individuals from our church, and on many occasions have gone out to eat together at restaurants. When the meal is brought out, it has become a custom to pray. I feel uncomfortable praying aloud in public, and have seen others at our table already eating when someone says, "Let's pray."

My wife tells me to just go with it. But sometimes when the praying goes on for a lengthy time, I start to get sweaty and on the verge of a panic attack. I wish they would take into consideration that others may feel praying is a private matter. I don't believe that because one person doesn't want to do something, others shouldn't do it.

So what say you? When food is brought to the table, should I dash to the restroom, or would that be rude? -- PREFERS PRAYING PRIVATELY

DEAR P.P.P.: No rule of etiquette decrees that you must pray out loud if someone else chooses to. Obviously, others in the group feel as you do, or they wouldn't start eating. Because the situation makes you uncomfortable to the point of a panic attack, I think your solution to excuse yourself from the table for a few minutes is a good one -- provided you say over your shoulder that you could be gone "awhile" and no one should wait for you.

DEAR ABBY: It will be three years since my mother passed. Her house was sold and the money split among me and my two sisters. I opened a separate bank account for my inheritance money.

My partner of 16 years thinks I was wrong to do that and still throws it in my face. I spent the money on my children, grandchildren, taxes, bills, big flat-screen and stuff for him. (I also bought myself a pair of jeans.)

I felt the money was my gift from my mom. I told my partner that when his parents pass, whatever they leave him will be his. It doesn't matter how close I am to them. Your opinion, please, and no, he wasn't close to my mom. -- A GIFT FROM MY MOTHER

DEAR GIFT: In my opinion, your partner appears to be greedy and have an outsized sense of entitlement. If your mother had wanted your partner to get his hands on any of her estate, she would have put her wishes in writing.

DEAR ABBY: I recently attended the funeral of my ex-husband's uncle. I wore a conservative suit in dark navy blue with a white blouse. Several family members criticized me for not wearing black. I assumed that because I'm no longer a family member, that I wasn't required to dress as one. Should I have worn black? -- DIVORCEE IN PENNSYLVANIA

DEAR DIVORCEE: No. You showed respect for the deceased by attending. Sometimes funerals (and weddings) bring out the worst rather than the best in people. I'm surprised your ex-husband's family took time out from their grief to notice what you were wearing. It appears no good deed goes unpunished.

DEAR ABBY: I'm 16 and just got my first job working in food services. I have been working here for about two months, and have grown close with my co-worker "Samantha" and my boss. Samantha quit suddenly a few days ago. Today she told me our boss had told her he had strong feelings for her. He's married with kids.

I am now very uncomfortable being there, but I still want to continue working for the experience and to save money for college. I'm not sure what to do. I haven't even told my parents yet. -- SERVER GIRL IN CHICAGO

DEAR SERVER GIRL: Now that you know your employer is capable of inappropriate behavior, keep your distance. If he does make a move on you, "remind" him that you are a minor, and if he doesn't stop it, you will tell your parents and he could get into serious trouble. That should cool his ardor.

DEAR ABBY: I am in a happy relationship with my girlfriend, "Tracy." Recently, she has been talking on and on about how she is so in love with a particular celebrity. I find it irritating when she says things like, "That's my man," or "I had an intense dream about him." How am I supposed to react?

I feel I should have something clever to say in response. Ordinarily I'm not a jealous person, but lately I have begun feeling that way. Am I being ridiculous? Please help. -- REGULAR GUY IN INDIANA

DEAR REGULAR GUY: Ask your girlfriend how she would feel if you kept telling her you're "in love" with Jennifer Lopez or Beyonce and have "intense" dreams about them. Then skip the clever comeback and tell her honestly that what she's doing is annoying and you want her to cut it out. That's honest and direct, and unless your girlfriend has shredded wheat for brains, she'll comply.

DEAR ABBY: I had a closet full of clothes I found hard to part with, although they no longer fit me. Usually, I give my gently used clothes to my local donation center, but for the past year I have held onto some expensive designer items that I'm hoping to fit into again.

My sister-in-law helped me move recently and asked me if she could have some of the items. We are close, and I was happy to give them to her because I could see how much she liked them.

I have just learned that she took the items to a consignment store and sold them. If I had known she was going to sell my clothes, I wouldn't have given them to her. I feel deceived, and the money she received should belong to me. Should I address this issue with her or keep pretending that I know nothing about it? -- SWINDLED IN THE SOUTH

DEAR SWINDLED: I'm not sure "swindled" is the word I would choose, but I agree you were taken advantage of because you were led to believe your SIL wanted the clothing for herself. Because "once a gift is given it belongs to the recipient to do with as she (or he) pleases," I don't think you should confront her now. Bide your time, and when she asks you for more things in the future -- and she will -- that would be the appropriate time to refuse and tell her the reason why.

DEAR ABBY: May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. I'm a longtime Canadian reader who has suffered from it for many years. More than 300,000 people are infected by this tick-borne illness every year, yet people know little about it.

If someone doesn't recognize the symptoms and seek treatment immediately, Lyme disease becomes chronic and debilitating. For many years it wasn't well understood, and many sufferers like me have gone from doctor to doctor with their long list of symptoms, becoming increasingly frightened and depressed.

Please suggest your readers learn about Lyme disease by visiting ILADS.org or canlyme.com. It isn't as rare as some people believe. It has been found everywhere on the planet except Antarctica. -- LYN D. IN "ABBYLAND"

DEAR LYN: I'm glad to do that. Several years ago, my husband caught Lyme disease while sitting in a friend's living room in California.

Our friend's dog had been running loose through some marshland that afternoon, and several ticks it picked up bit my husband. When he noticed the bulls-eye inflammation, we called our doctor, who said to come in right away and have it checked. After taking one look, the doctor called in his partner -- a doctor from Connecticut -- to take a look. (Lyme disease is named for a city in Connecticut.) They said the rash was "classic."

My husband was lucky for the quick and accurate diagnosis. Because it was caught early, strong antibiotics headed off any serious problems. But not everyone is so fortunate, and people with chronic Lyme disease have been known to suffer for life. A word to the wise: Be informed.

DEAR ABBY: My father always wanted a son, but he and Mom had only one child -- me. Now that I am the mother of two boys, he has taken over their schedule and signs them up for activities they often are not interested in pursuing. This results in my spending my time away from work taking them to activities and sports they don't enjoy.

How can I respectfully tell Dad I don't want him doing this? He often calls my children and me lazy if we say we don't want to participate in the swimming, karate, soccer, baseball, gymnastics and other activities he constantly signs them up for. We just want some downtime once in a while. This has caused many angst-ridden arguments. Please help! -- NOT INTERESTED IN ILLINOIS

DEAR NOT INTERESTED: Everyone enjoys downtime once in a while, but if your children are spending their days sitting around, your father may have a right to be concerned. Daily physical exercise is important for good health.

Because none of the activities your father has chosen "for" your sons appeals to them, talk with them, suggest they choose a sport that does interest them and have them sign themselves up for it. Then inform your dad that you no longer want to hear critical comments about your boys because they are not constructive, and if it doesn't stop, he will be seeing less of all of you.

P.S. Because your dad signed his grandkids up for activities, I'm mystified that he wasn't more involved in providing their transportation.