151
votes
Accepted
How do I answer a question about not enjoying a party without revealing sensitive information?
My boyfriend doesn't like parties either. Music makes his ears hurt, smoke from cigarettes irritate his eyes, and he hates when drunk people come to ask him why he doesn't drink and how come that he ...
- 14.3k
119
votes
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Dealing with small crimes as a volunteer
Something that I found very effective when attending music festivals, and even while helping out as a doorman at a local club when I was younger, was a simple request for discretion.
Something along ...
- 54.9k
102
votes
Accepted
Dealing with somebody who's ignoring my very existence
I hesitate to suggest shunning her like the other answers suggest. It seems like it might work, but it also seems like it could be traumatic for her.
A little about autism
I think it's worth knowing a ...
- 2,196
88
votes
Accepted
How to inform guests when you don't have enough food for everyone?
What about "sorry, but we ran out of ice cream"?
Fact is, these people would have wanted ice cream, and there wasn't any. You can't pretend there is ice cream. You can only tell them the truth, ...
- 6,335
79
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Dealing with small crimes as a volunteer
In my experience, being polite actually works pretty well. I would approach with something like:
Hey guys, please don't smoke that here, there are kids participating in the event as well.
Chances ...
- 5,135
77
votes
How avoid a question about women being loyal housewives?
One thing you could do is highlight the positive qualities of women while avoiding directly contradicting him
I find that the women here are highly motivated. The ones who choose a domestic ...
- 4,236
74
votes
Can I give flowers to a feminist as a present for hosting a party?
Personally I think you are overthinking it. I have never given flowers and had them unappreciated. All those reasons you gave for giving flowers are good ones. I don't see how following feminism ...
- 1,308
70
votes
How can I address a man talking inappropriately about women?
You don't usually want to start a discussion, you don't want to attack them, so don't try things like "Now I see how you are still single". Merely express your displeasure:
Not cool, man.
There ...
- 3,910
58
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Dealing with somebody who's ignoring my very existence
I am not talking to her at parties, or approaching her. But she still seems intent on ruining the party for me, by ruining the conversations I am having, hijacking them and then pretending I don't ...
- 1,665
54
votes
Accepted
How to act when people bring a baby to work?
It seems that you have a very (re)productive company!
You are not at all obligated to have interactions with a colleagues progeny in such a manner as you describe. There are also many new parents ...
- 681
53
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How to act when people bring a baby to work?
I just had a rather interesting idea for you.
Simply treat the baby as if it were any other human being that your co-worker brought to work.
"Hello, John/Suzie/Star-Lord, pleased to make your ...
- 729
50
votes
How to join in when people are gossiping?
Perhaps you can be a voice of reason. That is what I try to be. So I tend to that take topics and try to make it steered toward being more uplifting and supportive.
Overall though, if you just ...
- 10k
47
votes
Accepted
What do you say to a woman who asks you to dance when you don’t want to?
"No thanks, I'm not much of a dancer. Would you like to grab a drink with me instead?"
Honest is a good way to go. Decline, state the reason, and offer an alternative. It also makes it clear that you'...
- 54.9k
46
votes
Accepted
What is the most respectful way to respond when invited into a prayer circle or other religious activity I don't believe in?
A few questions:
Do these people know you are not a religious person?
Have you ever told them how you feel about this whole ordeal?
How far have you gone so far? Did you do the whole 9 yards? (hold ...
- 4,407
44
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How to join in when people are gossiping?
People love gossip until it's about them or someone they care about... And if you're involved with a group that tends to enjoy gossiping you can be assured that sooner or later you'll be a target.
...
- 54.9k
44
votes
How avoid a question about women being loyal housewives?
If you ever feel someone's trying to drag you into a potentially uncomfortable conversation, you can always look a little puzzled and ask something like:
What do you mean?
This lets you postpone ...
- 2,705
41
votes
How do I indicate interest in going somewhere without inviting myself along?
Don't ask to be invited, but let them know you're available.
I always say, "That sounds fun. Let me know if you're looking for more people."
This makes it clear that you are interested, but doesn't ...
- 469
40
votes
How to get somebody's confirmation when they say "I'll check my schedule"?
I'll check my schedule.
In other words: "I don't know yet if I'll come, but I don't want to say NO right now".
Possible causes for that answer are:
I'm not sure I'll have time.
I'm not sure I'll ...
- 22.1k
34
votes
Accepted
How can I politely ask my audience to not use their cellphones when I am giving a talk?
Because Mobile phones have made it harder for speakers to compete for their audience's attention, the speaker has to give them more value that their mobiles would never be able to do in that situation....
- 779
34
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How do I ask why they think I was being creepy?
You should ask where you went wrong at the same time when they tell you this. I'd suggest not to ask it in front of all. You can say like,
Oh, thanks for letting me know. I didn't realize. Can you ...
A J♦
- 7,732
31
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How do I answer a question about not enjoying a party without revealing sensitive information?
Thing is, they most likely care, and want to help you. I totally understand you, but these people just mean it good, it's important to see that.
It's hard to bring such a point across, but here's my ...
- 2,127
30
votes
Accepted
How to approach a strategy game against a 5-10 year old child you don't know?
In these situations, I ask a lot of questions and run through scenarios. I'm not playing to win, I'm playing to set up the shape of the game in the child's head. I keep it friendly and semi-...
- 3,111
30
votes
How to inform guests when you don't have enough food for everyone?
To piggyback off of Gnasher's point, limited budgets do suck, but that also does not mean you are limited to strictly the budget! "sorry we have run out" is certainly a great way to respond. You can ...
- 2,715
25
votes
Accepted
Is it rude to stay for only 30 minutes or an hour at my girlfriend's family barbecue?
In most cases like this I would go to the event and be up front in greeting
It's great to see you! I'm very sorry but I'm only going to be able to stay around 30 minutes. My parents are expecting ...
- 3,111
24
votes
How to arrange house parties with limited social group and people keep backing out?
there's not enough to make it worth actually setting up a party, so I typically cancel in the hope I can have better luck on another weekend.
Don't cancel - even with just a few people it can turn ...
- 475
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