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1500 questions
44
votes
5 answers
Angry at me for not coming over
I am dating a woman I met 2 weeks ago. We understand each other very well and like each other. For the past 4 days, she was away in her hometown and came back yesterday evening. During that time I had a terrible sore throat and constant coughing to…
MansNotHot
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44
votes
5 answers
How can I ask a possible long-lost relative to prove his identity?
I found myself in a peculiar situation yesterday. I was contacted via Facebook by a person (let's call him Bob) who claimed that he was one of my mom's cousins and hadn't talked to her in over 40 years. He asked that I try to confirm that we were in…
HDE 226868
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44
votes
8 answers
How to tell my Mom that I don't care about someone without upsetting her?
Last week my Grandmother had surgery. My Mom asked me why I didn't visit her.
I don't care about my Grandmother due to horrible things she does sometimes. For example, out of revenge, she creates false stories about someone and spreads them…
BlackCrystal
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44
votes
11 answers
How to avoid answering "what were you sick with"?
I have been on "sick leave" for a little more than a week due to mental health issues. I'm now back to work and my coworkers are asking "did you have the flu?" or other questions like that.
I know they are just trying to be nice by inquiring about…
Ael
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44
votes
9 answers
What is the etiquette for asking whether someone has a special diet
Is there an etiquette for asking if there are certain things a person does not want or cannot eat? If I cook for a group of people, is it on them to tell me about it, or do I ask them? If it's on me to ask, how can I do that without implying they…
Houbie
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44
votes
5 answers
How can I help a close friend get over me?
I have this friend, I could easily call her my best friend. We see each other at least twice a week usually, have travelled together etc. About 6 months ago she confessed that she has feelings for me, but I don't feel the same way.
I don't have any…
Firaga
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44
votes
5 answers
How can I accommodate my in-laws in a hotel without making them feel uncomfortable about me paying for the room?
I want to invite my in-laws, who live in another country, to visit me and my wife. However, we do not have enough space in our apartment for so many people, so I would like to accommodate them in a nearby hotel instead.
Unfortunately, given their…
Klangen
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44
votes
10 answers
It's my birthday! How do I tell people who don't know, who might want to know, without being awkward?
It's my birthday*! It's a rather important birthday.
There are a lot of people who might want to know such a thing, because of social customs or friendliness or something. One of those things.
Mostly, these people are coworkers. However, there are…
user2203
44
votes
10 answers
Locking up around workmen
We're currently having some work done in the back garden and whilst I don't have any particular reason to distrust them I do feel a little uncomfortable around the workmen. The other day I was just popping round to the shop and went out to inform…
FreeElk
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43
votes
9 answers
How to respond when someone tells you about their failure
I tend to be relatively successful (I'm a student) compared to my friends, so many times, when my friends tell me about their failures (did poorly on a test, got rejected by a college, etc.), I'm not sure how to reply. I want to let them know that…
carbenoid
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43
votes
5 answers
How do you tactfully write that someone's reply doesn't truly answer your question?
I need to email someone that his reply doesn't truly answer the questions in my original email. 1 below appears too brusque, and would insult and offend:
Sorry, but your reply doesn't appear to answer my question.
2 will less likely offend but…
user2423
43
votes
5 answers
How to apologize for sexual harassment in the past?
Every now and then, I'm reminded about something awful or embarrassing that I did, and this, sadly, includes sexual harassment, mostly in the form of - but not limited to - drunken messages or phone calls.
I understand that the best thing to do is…
Adam Jensen
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43
votes
7 answers
How can I get a friend to stop calling me all of the time?
My friend has been there for me through the worst times of my life, and to the point where no one really helped me besides her. She's going through a bit of a rough time now and I've done everything I can to help her. I normally do answer her calls…
user477465
- 575
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43
votes
9 answers
How can I talk to my boyfriend about chores "sharing"?
Background
I have been living with my boyfriend for three months. Both of us are working as trainees in different companies, but while he has 2 hours of daily commuting, I can reach my workplace within 15 minutes with my bike. Regarding this…
avazula
- 14,337
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43
votes
10 answers
Appropriate ways to dismiss street vendors?
In the Netherlands, it seems to be quite common lately to hire some students, put them on a busy main street or outside a supermarket, and have them target every passerby by asking 'Can I ask you something?'.
These people are always selling stuff I…
Tinkeringbell
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