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1500 questions
13
votes
4 answers
How can I ask my ex's parents how my ex is feeling after the break-up without making it too awkward?
My ex-boyfriend and I had a difficult break-up. We haven't talked much since but I recently got a message from him about how he can't even enjoy watching TV shows anymore because this is something we used to do together. I assume he is still having…
Tycho's Nose
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13
votes
3 answers
What is the best way to deal with "reserved" seats at place like a hotel pool?
This question is not about "officially" reserved seating in a restaurant or similar venue, but rather about the practice of some people to put a towel, jacket, or other "personal item," on a seat or sun lounger to hold their place.
I accept that…
r m
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13
votes
5 answers
How should I address scheduling phone or video calls with my long distance girlfriend?
Currently, I live about 10 miles outside Cambridge, UK. My girlfriend lives a similar distance away, but in the opposite direction. A journey to visit her is about 2 hours via public transport, which often we split by each traveling for 1 hour. We…
Tim
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13
votes
3 answers
How to enter a group conversation with relative strangers?
Imagine you're at a party or a networking event, or something along those lines. You're confronted with a large room full of people all talking in small groups. You know nobody or next to nobody here.
In this type of situation, what is the most…
Boblicon
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13
votes
5 answers
How to ask someone if I can do a background check on them?
I'm currently preparing to cycle the TransAmerica Trail next summer, and am in the process of searching for a traveling companion. The problem though is that, since this is a fairly long trip, it is much more difficult to find someone to go with who…
user2777
13
votes
3 answers
How could I ask a stranger to take a photo of me while traveling?
I always travel alone, so it is not possible to take a photo of myself except selfies.
Some of my friends also travel alone, yet they frequently upload non-selfie photos of themselves on SNS. I asked how they took them and they answered they asked a…
Blaszard
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13
votes
4 answers
How to politely decline continually viewing a coworkers child pictures?
To be clear, I have young children, I have pictures of my children, and I enjoy sharing same when asked about their health/welfare. Rarely do I spontaneously share unless they have done something spectacularly amusing. (Even then, I limit it to a…
JohnP
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13
votes
9 answers
How to deal with an employer's backhanded compliments?
This is no longer a problem, as he has moved on and I have retired, but I still don't know how it could/should have been handled. I'll write it in the present tense, though.
My employer in the Emergency Department (who is also a family friend) will…
anongoodnurse
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13
votes
3 answers
How to deal with wife's ex coming to our house over finances-related issues?
We live in Berwyn, IL, and commute to Chicago (well...my wife does, I work in Berwyn). I'm a transplant from Los Angeles, been here for 8 years now.
Anyway, last Monday night, my wife's ex, a guy called John* showed up at our door, he said he'd…
Cysolis-turima
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13
votes
7 answers
Asking someone "What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you"?
Let's say I'm interviewing a person that has likely gone through significant personal hardship. The purpose of the interview is ultimately to provide a short documentary of that person's life experiences leading up to the present.
"The worst…
user1142433
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13
votes
4 answers
When is it appropriate and when is it inappropriate for a neurotypical (NT) to refer to a person with Asperger's as an Aspie?
People with Asperger's on this site refer to themselves as Aspies. Is this a term that should be used only by people with Asperger's? Or can neurotypicals (NTs, a term I learned only a few days ago) use it too, and if so, are there conditions under…
user1760
13
votes
7 answers
Should I lie to my friend if it inspires him to do something good?
Recently I was denied an application to work as a teacher's assistant for my school. My friend also applied, and he was denied too.
My friend calls me, and asks me if I got the role or not. Before I could answer the question and tell him I didn't,…
K Split X
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13
votes
1 answer
Relative emailed me demanding to know my political views because they disliked my wife's Facebook posts
This morning I received an email from a relative demanding that I state my political viewpoints on a hot-button topic in US politics because his political views are opposite from those that are being posted by my wife on Facebook (specifically, he…
Rincewind
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13
votes
3 answers
How to enquire about someone after they learned bad news?
I learned a few hours ago that a friend's dad and step-mom had a life-threatening motorcycle accident.
I enquired about his state through SMS (I'm in another country right now) as I think I would have screwed up over the phone (and I didn't mean to…
user145
13
votes
1 answer
How to tell a colleague to lower down her Christmas spirit in office event organising?
I am part of a Fun committee in office and have the responsibility to organize the office events related to proceedings festivals. It's a secular company so we usually cover a variety of festivals - the next one in our arms is Christmas.
A few of us…
Ankit Sharma
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