Questions tagged [united-states]
Questions that have a specific focus on people in the United States, or American culture.
514
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How do I respond to a former co-worker asking for help with his resume?
A former colleague was recently terminated from our division. He lost his mid-level development position due to several factors, all of which could be summed up to poor job performance, misuse of ...
- 41
32
votes
10
answers
18k
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Saying "No" to my brother's demand without causing an argument
Bit of background on my relationship with my brother: ever since my teenage years, I could not bear him. I know it is common for siblings to have arguments and misunderstandings, and that's been the ...
- 941
12
votes
3
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2k
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How can I tell my mom that I found more beer in my brother's room while I was snooping?
Recently, I found my brother's stash of alcohol in the basement while looking for some paint. I told my mom about it, and she took care of it and decided to have a talk with him once he gets back from ...
- 129
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6
answers
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Childhood friend wants to get a "best friends" tattoo but I do not think it is a good idea
Background
I have a friend, we'll call her A, who I have known for nearly 20 years now. We are both in our early 20s now. Due to transitions we have both experienced over the last several years, other ...
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72
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10
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How can I ask my girlfriend to split gas money for a long trip?
A situation came up with my girlfriend where I drove her to an event that she needed to go to that was a two hour drive away (so a four hour round trip). After we got back, I charged her for half of ...
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4
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How can I tell someone that possibly unwanted body skin is showing?
So the title sums it up, but let me provide an example so it has a bit of context. I am living and working in California in an accounting office, so lax business casual is the usual attire.
I am a ...
- 3,358
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Requesting time off to attend a Pride event
For those that are unfamiliar June is Pride month.
The month of June was chosen for LGBT Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. As a result, many ...
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How can I tell people not to take clippings in my community garden plots? [closed]
I have a community garden plot filled with rare vegetables, and some can easily get started from cuttings. I left the labels next to the plants, but have not given anyone permission to take cuttings. ...
- 181
7
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1
answer
426
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How to approach daycare provider about reduced days?
Context: I am employed full time year round, my wife is a teacher, so works full time August to June. We have three kids (6yrs, 4yrs, and 7months) two of which have been going to daycare at the same ...
- 413
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6
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3k
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How to mend relations with someone I realize I have been mean to for four years?
Premise
I do not feel good whenever I have strained a friendship, or any interpersonal relationship, and can find no recourse to mend the friction. The main reason being (and it is admitedly selfish),...
- 564
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Dementia: How to cut off useless advice to a caregiver from well meaning people?
My husband has moderate dementia. The exact cause has been variously diagnosed, but it is probably not Alzheimer's.
I haven't broadcast the fact, but, of course my friends and some of my closer ...
user1760
8
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2
answers
2k
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How can I amicably end a friendship with a needy friend?
Over the last few months I have become closer with a friend from class. She seems to have really latched onto me and considers me a close friend of hers.
I'm an introvert and don't make strong bonds ...
- 2,972
96
votes
15
answers
28k
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How can I avoid coming across as condescending when telling a coworker I can't work on an issue right now?
Being a programmer, I largely run on the logical/factual side which tends to get me in trouble with my emails being read in tones not intended. One email, I even was sat down with my boss for being "...
- 2,715
63
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13
answers
23k
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How can I decline someone's business card with tact?
I am an engineer in a technical field, but I work regularly with sales, and I am often given business cards by vendors or customers at work. I know that I will never use them, and I almost always ...
- 735
11
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4
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3k
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Discussing misuse of my partner's pronouns with their best friend?
For nearly half a year now my partner, "Jane", has taken to using non-binary gender pronouns (they/them) and has asked those around them to respect this decision.
The problem is that their closest ...
- 22.7k
61
votes
9
answers
19k
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How to introduce metamours without causing awkwardness?
I am involved in a polyamorous relationship. Currently my wife has both a husband (me) and a boyfriend. We like to go out for normal "couple" type activities like dinner dates, movies, and attending ...
- 593
61
votes
12
answers
53k
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Appropriate response when someone announces pregnancy?
When someone tells me that they or their partner are pregnant, my typical response is "Congratulations!"
But I have found out that this remark is not always appropriate- notably when the pregnancy is ...
- 1,906
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1
answer
2k
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How can I have a relationship with my mother when I stand in moral opposition to what she believes? [closed]
I have spoken to my mother once in the past 8 months. She has done things which were disrespectful to my fiancee and her family, and she holds views which I feel are morally reprehensible. I want to ...
- 109
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votes
1
answer
162
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What kind of birthday gift is appropriate for a recent friend? [closed]
A friend of mine has a birthday coming up and I want to give them a gift. Given my history of poor gift giving, I am trying to put more thought into this. However, we've only recently started talking (...
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3
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How to ask a parent to help with something they disagree with fundamentally?
For perspective, I'm a young man and I don't live with my parents nor am I dependent on them in any way. Recently, I've started to grow an interest in learning to ride a motorcycle. My dad has been ...
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6
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3k
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How to politely inform others that I don't drink?
I don't have a "good reason" for not drinking.I'm not religious, I don't have medical issues, a few family members are alcoholics but most of them don't abuse alcohol, I'm not conscious about what I ...
- 1,906
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How can I explain to my parents my decision to live in co-ed housing next year?
I'm male, 20, and going to university in the USA. My family is of Indian heritage, but lives in the U.S. They pay for most of my tuition and housing costs. In my particular cultural segment, it's ...
- 1,763
81
votes
14
answers
36k
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How to enforce a "No Shoes" policy in my apartment?
I like to keep my apartment floor clean, as I enjoy walking around with bare feet after a shower without having to worry about them becoming dirty. As such, I don't like shoes beyond the doorway in my ...
- 15.2k
5
votes
2
answers
647
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How to get rid of an unwanted gift from in-laws without hurting feelings?
A few months ago, my wife's father and his girlfriend told us they wanted to get us a big leather chair for Christmas. We didn't really want a leather chair, nor did we have anywhere to put it, so we ...
- 205
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votes
1
answer
231
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How to start/keep conversations in professional conferences? [closed]
I am a Ph.D. candidate in the USA, and almost every three/four months, I go to different conferences. I have found it really hard sometimes to start, and more importantly, to KEEP conversations with ...
- 143
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5
answers
14k
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How do I respond to someone apologizing for coughing/yawning?
Many times I'll be talking to someone and they'll yawn or cough (or something similar), then say "excuse me", or "sorry". I have no idea what type of response to give to this.
If they'd sneezed, ...
- 2,705
3
votes
5
answers
653
views
How to get out of visiting family as often without any hard feelings?
Growing up, we always had family dinners to celebrate birthdays and similar events like Mother's Day, Father's Day, and some other things that are personal to our family. These traditions have been ...
- 611
20
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2
answers
3k
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How can I encourage discussion of sensitive topics with my girlfriend?
Background
I have been dating my girlfriend for about three months. We are both in our mid 20s, grew up in the mid-western United States, and now live in New York City. She has defined boundaries for ...
- 9,042
0
votes
2
answers
609
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How to contact to partner after breakup who does not want to talk [closed]
My partner broke up with me few days ago and it is very surprising and devastating for me. For last 6 months we were in a great relationship and everything was going good. So, a little bit about the ...
- 19
8
votes
1
answer
2k
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How to respond to "What happened to your face?"
Long story short, this weekend while playing with my sister she ended up leaving a large scratch down my face beneath my eye. It's pretty shallow and has barely hurt, but it's very obvious (as it's ...
- 15.2k
51
votes
8
answers
12k
views
How to tell someone to be quiet immediately while listening to an announcement?
Backstory: my girlfriend and I were at a sporting event, having casual conversation, but an announcement came over the loud speaker that caught my interest and I wanted to hear.
I turned my head so ...
- 573
3
votes
3
answers
755
views
How to convince a founder it's time to let go of their "power?"
My grandmother is part of a sports fan club. This club is officially recognized by their team and receives exclusive benefits for their members such as early access to tickets that have early access ...
- 319
21
votes
8
answers
6k
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How to tell whether someone would like to have my painting, without imposing a gift on them?
I paint as a hobby. Made few hi-bye friends at office because of this. I would be happy to give my painting to someone who truly appreciates it from the bottom of their heart.
Usually when a painting ...
- 1,045
25
votes
7
answers
14k
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Are there any ways to avoid unwanted approaches when not wearing a wedding ring?
I am happily married man and have no interest in engaging in a relationship outside of it. I have heard that wearing a wedding ring alerts women to the fact that I'm married and not looking for ...
- 369
11
votes
8
answers
13k
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How to gently tell people NOT to use a nickname for me
My name is Thomas. People often call me Tom, as that is a standard nickname for Thomas. However, I have always gone by my full name.
I don't identify with the name Tom. When it is used, I have to ...
- 111
5
votes
7
answers
962
views
How to make getting to know someone less artificial?
(Or, am I over thinking everything)
There is a girl (Jen) that I've been acquaintances with for about 3-4 years. I recently asked her if she would be okay with me getting to know her better. In my ...
- 59
33
votes
5
answers
5k
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How to be firm on what I need without causing offense?
At least once a week, I have to get blood drawn to comply with a treatment regimen. I don't have a problem with this. I'm not afraid of needles.
The trouble is that I can't always have the same ...
- 433
14
votes
3
answers
8k
views
How To Respond to Rude Cashier? [closed]
Once in a while I get coffee from a nearby shop. Lot of times, the ladies at the counter are rude; especially to me, because I look like a soft target. Really, I am not confrontational unless I am at ...
- 1,045
5
votes
5
answers
2k
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How do I talk to my partner about them going to the doctor?
Background
My partner and I have been dating for 9 years. We have been living together for the last 2 years. Since we started dating, my partner has not gone to the doctors for simple checkups, ...
- 53
8
votes
4
answers
1k
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How can I decline an invitation from someone who is only asking because she feels sorry for me?
Long story short, I never had friends, and didn't know how to make any.
I'm 2nd generation Indian, raised in the USA, if that's relevant.
Only recently I have few hi-bye friends from office (who ...
- 1,045
15
votes
5
answers
1k
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How to minimize embarrassment when I ask a question but they nod and smile?
The Background
I work with a LOT of non-native English speakers. As such, miscommunications are a daily occurrence. I've noticed that sometimes when they don't understand something, they'll just nod ...
- 15.2k
-1
votes
3
answers
599
views
Etiquette question regarding conveying enthusiasm in email communications - used in academic settings
I have a friendly, close relationship with these professors - we are research collaborators and communicate daily. Our communication scope on emails is never personal, it's strictly about research ...
88
votes
6
answers
30k
views
How can I give out my telephone number to my neighbors without implying anything?
I have recently purchased a new home and have moved into a neighborhood. I would like to introduce myself to my immediate neighbors and offer them my telephone number in case there is an emergency or ...
user15922
3
votes
2
answers
536
views
How to resolve conflict over differing sources of truth?
My mother is very relational. The people she knows and interacts with are important to her, and she has a natural inclination to value opinions and information presented to her by those people over ...
- 6,381
-1
votes
2
answers
571
views
How to tactfully refuse outsiders to stay in your home [closed]
I am in USA (2nd generation Indian American, if that is relevant) and have witnessed situations where person A let person B (A's wife's distant relative) stay in their apartment, but they overstayed ...
- 1,045
45
votes
5
answers
23k
views
How do I tell someone I recently met that I am in a relationship?
Before I begin
I am male
I am in a long term relationship with a woman that I live with
I am in an environment where I frequently meet new people
The story
Throughout recent years, I have been in ...
- 4,206
4
votes
1
answer
274
views
How to ask a tourist outfitter about their competitor's products
A group of friends and I go on an annual summer trip river tubing and camping for a weekend. The last 4 times we've gone, we've used one particular outfitter, I'll call them outfitter A, to rent tubes ...
- 2,839
45
votes
13
answers
15k
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What is the current etiquette in the US and UK regarding a man holding doors for female companions?
In my country of origin, Hungary, men should enter pubs and bars before their female companions, as opposed to holding the door for them. This is due to the assumption that pubs and bars can be ...
- 709
41
votes
6
answers
9k
views
How to establish boundaries with a roommate without confrontation?
For some context - this is my first semester in college where I'm having a roommate, and there have been several complications. It's off-campus housing and we don't attend the same university.
My ...
- 523
45
votes
14
answers
14k
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How can I address a man talking inappropriately about women? [duplicate]
Source is this twitter thread: https://twitter.com/MalwareJake/status/976848126987374593
Excerpt:
She said that the guy who appeared to be the unofficial group leader started talking about one of ...
- 575