Miss Manners: Can we have conversations without offending anyone?

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I understand that we shouldn’t talk about religion, nor about politics.

Now it’s food that’s verboten.

Sports? Please, no!

Travel plans or trip reports? Yawn.

Health concerns? Yech.

Bragging/complaining about children/other relatives/neighbors/jobs? Snore.

Favorite movies/TV shows/news sources?

Hobbies?

New cars or other big-ticket purchases?

Reminiscing about college/high school experiences?

Gossip? Especially about strangers?

Please provide a list of approved topics.

GENTLE READER: Sure. Just as soon as you provide Miss Manners with a list of topics on which you are prepared to have a civil and respectful give-and-take with people whose opinions may be different from your own.

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.c