I have had normal conversations, all year long, about my kid’s college search. Just like anything, with some people we’ve gotten into more details, others we haven’t. Everyone reads the situation, only asks more questions once it’s clear we’re ok with talking about it. And no one has said anything negative. I’m sorry that many of you have had a different experience, but I see no reason for this to be such a taboo subject. I would certainly be annoyed if my neighbor started bashing one of my kid’s schools, but I think I could shut him down with a laugh — “you realize you are trashing a school my kid is interested, right?” — and just move on.

Anonymous wrote:Agree re not sharing specific information. But, as a person who was raised by not-particularly-socially-savvy parents and has had to learn a lot of manners on the fly, please consider that the neighbor is not trying to be a jerk but is just oblivious.

A unicorn DCUMer. Kind and helpful response, giving the offender the benefit of the doubt. I love you.

Agree re not sharing specific information. But, as a person who was raised by not-particularly-socially-savvy parents and has had to learn a lot of manners on the fly, please consider that the neighbor is not trying to be a jerk but is just oblivious.