Almost every week, the mother of my college roommate sends him a box of baked goods from a fancy bakery. He barely touches them until they’re stale, then he throws them away. Sometimes he offers me one but usually not. I feel weird asking for one. May I simply take the occasional croissant since I know they’re going to waste?  —P.J.

You may not. It’s stealing, even if the food isn’t being eaten. Overcome the weirdness of asking (which I recommend) or go without. 

—Adapted from “Social Q’s” in The New York Times Magazine