OFTEN HEARD SAYING: "The Feds said the raid could not have gone down without my tip."

THE OFFENSE: Chronically oversells achievements, work situations, children's accomplishments, size of fish caught.

YOUR COURSE OF ACTION: "It's rude to embarrass a guest who might be exaggerating due to feeling insecure," says author Caroline Tiger. "A little hyperbole on his part isn't too much for you to endure if it makes him feel more comfortable." Besides, everyone else at the table probably sees right through him, too, psychologist Barry Greenwald points out.