Dear Prudence,
My childhood best friend and I live in the same city, and her college friend “Kate” just moved to our city as well. I like Kate, and we have lots in common—hanging out with our mutual friend as a group of three is fun! But Kate has a disgusting habit that I absolutely cannot get past. Very frequently, Kate will hock a loogie, then spread her mucus on a nearby surface (if we’re outside) or a tissue (if we’re inside). The sound is absolutely foul. My best friend didn’t warn me about this before Kate moved, and now I can’t tell if she notices and doesn’t say anything to Kate or if she’s just genuinely gotten used to it and doesn’t notice it anymore. Prudie, I notice, and I do want to say something! This feels like a horrendously awkward conversation. Do you have a script for me? Is this even a reasonable request to make of someone I’ve only known for a few months?
—Ew, Loogies