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1500 questions
25
votes
3 answers
How to respond when a friend mentions their financial issues?
I'm usually uncomfortable when a friend mentions her lack of money during a casual conversation. The topic of money itself doesn't make me uncomfortable, but the fact that I really don't know what to say makes me feel weird. I would like to help, if…
user324
25
votes
17 answers
How to respond when people mock a skill or talent they just found out you do/have?
I am a fairly high level, long time practicing martial artist. Generally when talking to people I don't know, if the subject comes up I get (almost invariably) one of two reactions from people that are not also martial artists.
Oh, you do TKD? I…
JohnP
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25
votes
8 answers
How should I handle the "loudest" voice in a group project?
I am in a Software Engineering class in college. Person A likes to be the voice of everyone.
For example, I would ask "What do you think of this?" And without any discussion and a very immediate response from person A, "We aren't doing that." All…
bedtime21
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25
votes
5 answers
Asking someone to use their native language without being rude
Sometimes, I find myself in a conversation with people who can't speak English (or some other language) with standard pronunciation. Of course, not everyone has good speaking skills to begin with, and I believe it's more of an issue with my hearing…
Ramon Melo
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25
votes
6 answers
How to politely refuse money from someone who is insistent?
This question is based in the UK, with no specific religious or cultural preferences
Often after doing a favour, some people will offer me money to say "thank you" or as some form of compensation, however I don't feel comfortable accepting this…
Crafter0800
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25
votes
2 answers
How to reduce the risk of people interpret me implying things, when I never intended to?
I have Asperger's Syndrome. I'm an aspie. I am naturally inclined to say things literally and take things literally, but I have learned most neurotypicals communicate differently, and as a minority, it's up to me to adapt where I can, so I do my…
gerrit
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25
votes
9 answers
Should I join others in raising the pitch of my voice when talking to babies?
In The Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, I have noticed that when some people talk to babies, they raise the pitch of their voice. Apparently it's the same in other cultures.
Apparently this serves some purpose but it may not be entirely…
gerrit
- 2,051
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- 27
25
votes
4 answers
How do I politely refuse/cut-off a person who needs me only when they want something?
Context: I'm currently doing my bachelor's at a very small local uni. I'm usually known as one of the knowledgeable folks who's open to helping others (many people pretend to know nothing here just to trick their friends and "get ahead" in terms of…
Mayonnaise
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25
votes
7 answers
Should I help pay for a traffic ticket someone got while helping me?
A couple of weeks ago, my brother-in-law helped me by transporting a piece of furniture in his car, as my car was too small.
On our way home, with me following him in my own car, he ran a red light (I stopped for it).
That intersection has a traffic…
SQB
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25
votes
5 answers
How to convey to the people around me that I want to disengage myself from constant giving?
Once I’ve paid rent, bills, petrol, food, etc. I have a relatively small amount of money left over each month. I would get by just fine on this, if it wasn’t for spending the money on other people.
A lot of my family/friends are in a similar or…
Boodri
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25
votes
5 answers
How to deal with a person that does something wrong like littering or hitting a dog and yells at you when you tell them that they did something wrong?
In my life I come across people that do things that are wrong (and most of the times illegal) like littering, hitting animals, parking on the pavement without leaving an inch for pedestrians to pass.
The problem is that when I try to tell them that…
papakias
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25
votes
8 answers
How to convince people I'm not stealing their food?
I am living in UK university accommodation where everyone has their own room and about 8 or so of us share a kitchen.
Over the course of the year food (including mine) was going missing and because I usually don't socialise with them (I usually…
Haibo Li
- 352
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25
votes
5 answers
Asking questions about sexism without sounding like I'm... 'part of the problem'?
Background
I'm a cis white male, and I have never directly witnessed any kind of sexism in my academic world, even though I hear that it is a very real problem in this precise context. I've heard about it, a lot, sure, but always through the media…
Mowgli
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25
votes
1 answer
What is the etiquette for smalltalk in a workplace when the context and person is always the same?
Every single day at 3:45 PM Bob rings the doorbell at work. Every single day I answer the door and hand Bob a small amount of paperwork. Every single day there is about 10 seconds as Bob flips through the paperwork checking that everything is in…
Jesse
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25
votes
6 answers
Is it possible for my friend to resume communication with his unofficial sister without earning her husband's mistrust?
Note: this question may have a strong Indian context, but I am looking for inputs from members all over the world.
Eight years ago a close friend of mine, aged 30 at the time, met an 18-year-old girl who later became his sister. This is India,…
English Student
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