DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a college professor who teaches a 2 1/2-hour course once a week. The length of the course obviously gets tedious, but it is only once a week. I have been having a problem with a student, “Caleb,” who decides to eat a full meal during class. He comes in with a meatball sub, chips and a huge drink to wash this all down with.

I have spoken to Caleb outside of class and mentioned how his loud eating habits disrupt the class. He told me he didn’t see anything in my syllabus prohibiting it, so he sees no reason to stop. How can I ask the class to put up with Caleb’s munching for the rest of this semester? – Loud Chewing, Silver Spring, Maryland

DEAR LOUD CHEWING: Schedule a meeting with Caleb to get a better sense of what’s going on with him. Chances are, if he is eating during your class, it is probably because he hasn’t had a moment to eat before then. Find out what he does right before your class begins. Perhaps you can invite him to come to your office and eat before class or go to a common area at school to eat in advance.

Point out that his behavior is disruptive to the class, and you want to figure out a way to take care of everyone. If he refuses to stop eating – and there are no college rules that you can enforce to stop him – require that he sit on the last row by an open window (if there is one) or by the door.

Rather than asking your other students to endure him, show them through your actions that you are doing your best to remedy the problem.

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DEAR HARRIETTE: I have an uncommon name, and other people frequently mispronounce it. However, the spelling is similar to a more common name, for example the difference between Anna and “Ah-nuh.” Although people are saying my name incorrectly, they pronounce it with confidence. How can I correct people who pronounce my name incorrectly without being deemed a harsh corrector? – Not Like the Others, Boston

DEAR NOT LIKE THE OTHERS: Come up with a creative and fun way for people to remember your pronunciation. Think of a popular word or saying or thing that sounds like your name or that you can combine with another word to make your pronunciation. The goal is to tap into others’ comfort zones and then switch it up to make your unique name. By making it easy for others, you allow for the best opportunity for them to get it right.

You also have to be willing to speak up right away and tell them. You can even introduce yourself by saying your name and adding that it has an unusual pronunciation, followed by saying it slowly and with enthusiasm.

When someone mispronounces it, decide if it is more important in that moment to get the pronunciation right or for you to follow along with the conversation. This is important, because you don’t want to turn into a nuisance about your name; you want to inspire people to want to get it right.

— Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.