Questions tagged [united-kingdom]
Questions that have a specific focus on people in the United Kingdom or British culture.
8
votes
1answer
713 views
How to say no to a family member who wants to drive the car
I am a very introverted kind of person and don't argue with others. Sometimes it feels like some people just do not know how and where to stop with me. I have a car and there are some people in my ...
5
votes
1answer
760 views
How do I prevent an absent minded friend from inviting himself to stay with me every year?
I have a friend who is very intelligent but terribly absent minded who sends the odd gift out every couple of months and then announces every year that he will be coming over from the United Kingdom (...
6
votes
2answers
179 views
How can I ensure I maintain a good working relationship competing with my colleagues for a promotion?
I've worked at my current job for just about 2 years. Due to the type of job it is, the turnover rate is high, so I am one of the most experienced employees there.
We're likely to have one or two ...
6
votes
3answers
751 views
How to refuse a hairdresser because I want someone who's cut my hair before, without being rude?
I went to have my haircut, and the first hairdresser who became available was the one I know the least, and has only cut my hair once or twice before. For context, I've lived in the area all my life ...
8
votes
1answer
763 views
How to make my girl buy me gifts without sounding needy?
I've been with this girl for 2 years now. Got to say it's been great for me because I actually love her and I have a feeling she does reciprocate those same sentiments. We moved in together at the end ...
7
votes
2answers
551 views
Appropriate way to show appreciation to colleague?
I've started my first year in industry some months ago in a UK Software company. Since I'm pretty much a newbie I had to ask around for help. There is this guy that has been helping me a lot with work ...
5
votes
2answers
420 views
How do I get my landlord to show some consideration without souring our relationship?
I've been living at my current address for just under 3 months. I'm not renewing the lease for another year after this one is up, so my landlord has just started to take viewings for the property.
So ...
3
votes
2answers
719 views
How to convince girlfriend to not cycle to work? [closed]
My girlfriend and I have recently moved to London and she wants to get a bicycle. Her reason is more along the lines of personal freedom that you get with a bike. It is (very pointedly) not about the ...
6
votes
5answers
874 views
Drunkenly broke a bottle of sauce in someone's kitchen
I live in university accommodation and last night I went to a neighboring flat's kitchen and accidentally broke a bottle of sauce. I didn't realise this at the time. This morning I found a threatening ...
4
votes
2answers
487 views
My sister refuses to help clean. Our shared room is extremely cluttered and our relationship becoming strained. How can I get her to help out?
I share a bedroom with my younger sister, she is currently 15 and I am 20. Recently I have been becoming very stressed out with the clutter in the room. I begun cleaning out my own belongings, ...
-5
votes
1answer
651 views
How do I return inedible foods and not be charged, without offending staff? [closed]
I've had difficulties at only Chinese restaurants in Canada, Hong Kong, US, UK whenever I must return dishes. Their staff vigorously defend the dish, counter and deny my observations, get angry and ...
5
votes
2answers
539 views
How to apologize but also signal that you are also owed an apology?
I usually drive my girlfriend to work on Mondays because the nearest car park is just over a mile away (although when the weather is nice she does enjoy the walk). On this occasion I suggested she ...
5
votes
3answers
540 views
How to politely ask a band member to stop being late/ditching last minute?
So I am in a band consisting of 5 people: 2 guitarists, the drummer, the bassist and a vocalist (might be worth mentioning that the guitarists are brothers that only tend to see each other at practice)...
5
votes
3answers
721 views
How should I apologise for making someone feel bad for something that wasn't their fault? [closed]
I recently met a girl on a night out when we were both quite drunk, and, having liked her I began texting her every now and then. After a few days, we decided to go out for some coffee.
Now, when we ...
3
votes
2answers
638 views
How to encourage people to not make/cancel travel plans based solely on my personal opinion?
I live in a city in the UK that is hosting some competitive sporting events in coming months. From my time at university and beyond, I have made a number of friends and acquaintances across the globe, ...
88
votes
14answers
34k views
How to respond when a Doctor's Receptionist asks the reason for the appointment, after confirming appointment is made?
I have recently come across a situation that made me feel very uncomfortable, especially if it had been more of a personal issue.
I contacted my doctor yesterday with pains in my hand/wrist as I didn'...
13
votes
2answers
660 views
How to deal with friends finding out I self-harm(ed)?
I have a slight situation arising and would like some opinions/thoughts on how to proceed.
Some Backstory
I am male, in my early 20s.
I have self-harmed for a number of years, and am currently a ...
3
votes
3answers
291 views
How to ask estate agents to postpone property visit? [closed]
Background
I am the sole tenant of a rented apartment. Periodically the estate agents managing the property perform visits to check the state of the building.
I work away from home for extended ...
10
votes
4answers
1k views
How do I politely turn down a costume party invitation because I am too embarrassed to wear a costume?
I was previously invited to a friend's birthday party and was happy to go. They then announced that it would be a costume party (UK, so "fancy dress party") and I've had to pull out because I've never ...
5
votes
3answers
415 views
Giving notice via the phone [closed]
I am aware that it's more polite to give your employer notice in person, however the office I work in is not the same as my Line Manager. In order to give notice in person I would have to travel some ...
1
vote
2answers
216 views
Request for a telephone interview [closed]
I am currently job hunting and have recently applied for a role in Berlin and I live in the UK, the job advert offered paid relocation.
They have just reached out offering me an interview at their ...
104
votes
10answers
58k views
How to convince my wife that my best friend and I are just friends?
I have a friend (a woman), who I met around 8 months ago. Since then, she has become my best friend and we are extremely close. Understandably, my wife is envious of the relationship and even ...
14
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I request something in writing, if the other person resists with “Don't you trust me?”?
I was helping a disabled friend schedule, over the phone, her appointment at a hospital that occasionally botches times and dates. I asked the secretary to confirm by email:
Me: Can you please ...
36
votes
8answers
15k views
How to have dinner without romance involved
I live in a tourist hotspot in japan, in particular a place where people often go when travelling solo. This means that when people I know (even just passing acquaintances) come here, they often ask ...
3
votes
4answers
878 views
Work supervisor expects platitudes in response to his pleasantries, even when I'm miserable
I have been working at my job for over a year now and I have some minor but extremely annoying interpersonal issues with my boss. He's British and I'm Canadian but we are living in Ireland. I'm a ...
3
votes
2answers
813 views
How do I apologize to a successful friend for feeling bad about their success?
Last week I had a stressful week at work and was in a bad mood. On the weekend, a friend, who is quite successful, invited me and some others over for the afternoon to their big house with their wife ...
4
votes
3answers
350 views
How can I resolve a conflict between two people who want to avoid causing any inconvenience, when this is inevitable?
So. I give friend A a lift to a bar. A is on crutches, and can’t stand up for long. So I go in to meet the other friends I’m meeting there and to make sure there’s somewhere for them to sit.
There ...
7
votes
3answers
944 views
How can I diplomatically ask my neighbor to move his/her patio off my garage wall to stop damp
I have just moved in to a new (to me. 6 years old) house and have yet to meet the neighbors. I have since noticed my inside garage wall was damp. Inspecting outside the dampness was caused by the ...
1
vote
1answer
326 views
What is the typical expectation for a gift to a male neighbour on his 60th birthday? [closed]
Apologies if it's a silly question but I am from a different country and therefore culture and so would be keen to learn about British gifts etiquette if there is one.
In particular, a nice middle-...
1
vote
1answer
400 views
What can someone with introversion and/or social anxiety do to maximise the benefits of attending networking events? [closed]
I am profoundly shy, strongly introverted and have some social anxiety.
I find socialising with strangers in social settings to be extremely stressful: socialising in professional settings – such as ...
-4
votes
1answer
697 views
How can I convince a doctor to wash her hands, and not just use hand sanitizer? [closed]
I recently saw a doctor who, after entering the room, only used hand sanitizer. As her gown looked dirty, I stopped her from touching me and asked:
Doctor, is handwashing more effective than hand ...
4
votes
4answers
1k views
How do I politely convince my elders that the external-knowledge tools of my generation are respectable?
At work, I asked what makes a picnic a picnic, is it the fact that its outside? I then preceded to google it and found:
A picnic is a meal taken outdoors as part of an excursion.
Which I said to ...
-4
votes
1answer
502 views
How can I ask a guest to order within my budget at a restaurant?
My charity asked me to treat a donor to a lunch. My charity recommends a modest, but respectable restaurant that befits its pre-tax budget of $100/guest for lunch, unless the donor specifies one. My ...
2
votes
2answers
467 views
How can I reassure others that I'm not offended by their teasing?
I have a group of friends who I sit with on the bus. Usually, they have fun talking while I watch and listen, which I'm perfectly fine with. From time to time I join in to their conversation, which ...
9
votes
4answers
809 views
Does the way that someone signs an email change how I should address them?
Imagine you write an email to a professor (or, to avoid academic specifics, councillor) Joseph Doe whom you never met personally before:
Dear Professor (Councillor) Doe,
blah-blah-blah
...
15
votes
10answers
14k views
How can I tell someone that I am glad to be leaving them without sounding petty?
Background
After this year, I will be going to a different school than the rest of my friends and so I am writing them cards. There is one person in the group who I especially don't like, and I would ...
49
votes
14answers
16k views
How can I check the time on my smartphone without looking self-important?
I volunteer at a charity, where meetings usually run overtime as staff go off-topic. I had to attend a 30-minute meeting, in a room with no clock. After we discussed the relevant subjects, a donor ...
6
votes
0answers
561 views
How to get out of a dysfunctional living situation with irregular circumstances? [closed]
For some initial clarification, I hope this doesn't sound like a rant, because I'm trying to pitch this question as objectively, and as clearly as I possibly can, whilst hoping that I'm not sounding ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
How do I convince my boss to stop spreading hoaxes all the time?
We are less than 10 persons working in a small environment. My boss keeps telling us hoaxes he reads on Social Media all the time.
I have been digesting his nonsense for years but I hate to see ...
0
votes
2answers
798 views
Coping with different spending philosophies in a marriage [closed]
I am British, in my mid-twenties, and in a pretty well paying job. My wife is Chinese, a few years older than me, and while having a moderately well paying job previously is currently is a student. We'...
22
votes
4answers
6k views
Etiquette for a person who has already queued once
I was at the front of a queue of 5 or 6 people waiting for train tickets, at a station in London, England. It was a similar length when I joined, and had taken about 10 minutes to reach the front.
A ...
-4
votes
2answers
712 views
How do I tell line jumpers that I was waiting in line? [closed]
I was waiting in line behind some teenagers at a government office that had a counter, when a man walked in man and waited to its right.
As soon as the current customer left the counter, he dashed ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
How to discuss why someone suddenly made plans without me?
I'm male, in my twenties and my definition of friendship is extremely strict. In fact, my friends are what most people would consider their "best friends". As such, I have very few of them. I think I'...
48
votes
10answers
10k views
How to communicate to a new coworker that I am not comfortable being touched?
Last week a new coworker joined our team, and yesterday we were both invited to eat lunch in the work cafeteria with some other colleagues that I have known for around a year and a half. As he, ...
8
votes
3answers
728 views
How to “Read a room” and quickly perform an assessment of the mood, group dynamics or tension?
During a course on interpersonal skills, we did several exercises to help us assess our own abilities. I realised that while I do fine with assessing mood, reaction and engagement in one-on-one ...
77
votes
14answers
20k views
How can I tactfully interrupt a customer service representative over the phone?
I had to telephone my bank, as my security device stopped working. The staff member said:
Before we continue with the nature of your call, are you interested in completing a survey
I wasn't. So I ...
78
votes
20answers
21k views
Not having to explain my reasons for wanting to keep my last name
As a female in the UK, I'm expected to drop my last name and take my (male) partners' name when we get married - there's no law against me keeping my last name, though it's generally frowned upon.
...
7
votes
3answers
866 views
Politely rejecting unwanted attention at a nightclub.
I am in a happy relationship, so when I go to a nightclub with friend(s) I am not looking to pick anyone up, or dance with anyone other than the people/person I came out with.
When I go out to a ...
3
votes
3answers
697 views
Politely requesting the office lights remain on?
I work in a small office, there's 6 of us in total, so it's not possible to turn off "some" of the lights without turning them all off.
In the UK, we're now in the Spring season, which generally ...
46
votes
5answers
9k views
How to deal with disruptive people in the cinema
In my last two cinema trips I have had disruptive people in the cinema.
One was a group of 4-5 early 20s men, one of whom in particular was talking very loudly. I stared at him until he looked back ...
