Questions tagged [united-kingdom]
Questions that have a specific focus on people in the United Kingdom or British culture.
182
questions
2
votes
0answers
262 views
How do you point out major design flaws gently?
I left my old uni society for a year to work in industry, and in that time the team that succeeded me have designed and built most of the aircraft I was working on. Had it not have been for the ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
How do I start a casual relationship while backpacking?
I'm a 24 year old Canadian man on an extended holiday abroad. Most people I meet are from the United Kingdom, Germany, and Ireland. The country where I am is irrelevant because I rarely meet people ...
1
vote
0answers
810 views
How to mend a friendship when someone thought I was joking about having a girlfriend?
So I was recently chatting to someone who I had not seen for sometime and wanted to encourage them to return to a club that I had often seen them at previously. I went out for coffee with them once, ...
4
votes
1answer
569 views
How to identify and approach persons of low income with the aim to help [closed]
I apologize in advance if this seems distasteful in any way, I'm genuinely trying to be helpful.
I live in a low income area in the UK, however I am fairly comfortable financially.
It pains me ...
34
votes
2answers
4k views
Is it appropriate to ask for the text of a eulogy?
At a funeral there is usually a eulogy by family or close friend of the deceased. This usually covers interesting details of their lives. Unfortunately, just hearing it once means you'll miss things. ...
17
votes
2answers
950 views
How can I talk about loneliness without sounding like I'm indulging in self-pity?
I'm a 27-year-old man.
I feel like a lot of the baggage I am carrying stems from moving around a lot and not really being able to find communities where I belong, as well as being pretty unpopular ...
80
votes
9answers
22k views
How do I stop making people jump at home and at work?
I make a lot of people jump when I enter the room or try to get their attention. I am not sure what exactly I am doing wrong, but I would like to stop it so I am looking for suggestions. I have had a ...
0
votes
1answer
456 views
How do I respond to my doctor's message in which she mentions she's doing voluntary work? [closed]
I WhatsApp'd my British doctor to ask for an appointment, and she responded along the lines of
Thank you for your message. I'm really happy to see you but I'm doing voluntary work in [country]. I'...
47
votes
6answers
9k views
How to ask my office to remove the pride decorations without appearing anti-LGBTQ?
First, for clarification, I am not anti-LGBTQ.
My office has taken part in the Pride Month, which is celebrated throughout the UK in June every year. The month celebrations end in a large Pride ...
8
votes
1answer
692 views
How to make aware co worker about their parking skills?
I work in a MNC (Multi national company) in a populated city where having a car is necessary for transport purposes and daily commute.
Question
How can I tell/make aware a coworker (who is not in ...
2
votes
1answer
356 views
How to handle my perceived disrespect to Aunt? [closed]
Today I saw my aunt for the first time in months, possibly over a year. She was never around during my childhood, not a part of my or my siblings lives. We have never received a gift from her or were ...
63
votes
9answers
19k views
How to make clear to people I don't want to answer their “Where are you from?” question?
I live in the UK but am not originally from here, having moved in the last decade.
Quite often when I talk to people I get asked where I'm from. It usually seems to be in response to my accent, as I'...
11
votes
1answer
948 views
How do I deal with a friend group that I fear is making its more successful member upset?
I'm one of a close group of friends, we'll call them A, B, C, D, E and F. All of us are middle-aged. Of those, A (which is not me) is quite successful; he has his own home and family, a property ...
6
votes
2answers
536 views
Confront mentor on unwarranted remark
My meditation mentor is convinced that I do not practice at home, while, in truth, I do practice regularly.
Her argument is that, in her eyes, I have not improved my attention span, nor my ...
9
votes
1answer
2k 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
888 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
199 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
2answers
1k 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 ...
10
votes
1answer
2k 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
596 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
452 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
755 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
900 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
691 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, ...
-4
votes
1answer
786 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
588 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 ...
7
votes
3answers
862 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
1k 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
700 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, ...
93
votes
14answers
80k 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
755 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
305 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
445 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
227 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 ...
112
votes
10answers
62k 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 ...
39
votes
8answers
16k 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
1k 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
875 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
385 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 ...
9
votes
3answers
1k 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
390 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
433 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
761 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
2k 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
552 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
508 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
863 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
...
14
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 ...
