Questions tagged [difficult-people]

For questions involving people who have shown a tendency to be stubborn, uncomprehending, or otherwise difficult to communicate with. Use this tag for issues like personality conflicts, not for difficulties arising from a physical or mental condition.

This tag is for questions involving people who are stubborn, uncomprehending, or otherwise difficult to communicate with. Don't use this as a generic "difficult situation" tag; use it when you believe the other person is intentionally being difficult and/or there is a personality conflict that makes it difficult for you to interact with them. If you use this tag, be sure to explain your history with them.

Don't use this tag for situations when the corresponding individual causes interpersonal issues as a result of a physical or mental condition. Instead, use or create appropriate tags, e.g. .

150 questions
191
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11 answers

How to deal with unwanted attention at the swimming pool?

I swim twice a week in a sports complex. My hours are late and the place is almost empty. A few days ago a guy started a chat with me while I was in the sauna. I saw nothing wrong with it, so I maintained the small talk, but then the guy asked me…
Arcene
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136
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7 answers

Girlfriend's nosy mother keeps expressing that she'll show up unannounced

Some context: my girlfriend and I have been dating for a year, and we've decided to move in together now that she has graduated and found a job in her chosen career. We're both financially independent, and made this decision after a lot of…
88
votes
17 answers

How to deal with someone who ignores your lack of knowledge?

I purposely made this question generally broad so that it can apply to more people in need of similar interpersonal skills, but I can easily make it about a specific scenario if needed. Problem My whole life, people have put me on a "genius"…
HugoBDesigner
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75
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21 answers

How can I deal diplomatically with a feminist neighbor who continuously delivers political speeches in private?

This question is unlikely to have a very strong cultural context so I welcome answers from members all over the world. I met this person (code name Jane D) when I was studying sociology at Masters level 12 years ago. She was much older and a…
64
votes
9 answers

How to deal with a dangerous, developmentally disabled person I can not avoid?

On my way to work, I cannot help but encountering a developmentally disabled person who harasses me and other women. How can I deal with him? Background I have been taking the same train to work each day for about 2 years now. A developmentally…
64
votes
5 answers

How to politely reject a rude advice giver at the gym that won't take it well anyways

Problem So, there is this (big) guy at the gym. He is 210cm and 105Kg (~6'11" and 230 lbs) which makes him look like a mountain, but he seems to not understand that not everyone is naturally as big as he is. I wouldn't have asked the question if…
Meow
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61
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12 answers

How can I remind someone to do a task when reminding them makes them less likely to do it?

I have a bit of a problem with my girlfriend, in that things aren't getting done because she is forgetful about things she doesn't like to do. We've had many discussions on the topic, and we both agree these are things that need to be done, and she…
60
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13 answers

I gave a "gift" back to a friend after he asked for it back, and now he is trying to tax me for using it

I'm usually good at this sort of stuff but I don't know how to handle this situation. I'll start from the beginning. Backstory About 2-3 years ago, a good friend of mine, Henry, stole a grinder from another "friend" of his and gave it to me. I…
Dough John
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58
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7 answers

How to help a friend through a rough breakup when his actions are testing the limits of my patience?

One of my close friends, who is 25, has recently broken up with his girlfriend of 10-11 months. Naturally, he has turned to me and other people close to him for help and support. My friend is, by nature, quite needy and very inexperienced with…
55
votes
17 answers

Dealing with people who always try to prove you wrong in a conversation

Consider the following scenario: You have an acquaintance, who would probably be really good at turncoat (the game in which one person has to rapidly switch sides again and again on a topic). Whenever you bring up any topic for conversation, their…
Myungjin Hyun
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54
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10 answers

How do I avoid strange questions because of a flag?

First of I should mention that I like Russia, have been there and I just like the people, the culture, the architecture. Pretty much every friend/coworker/family members knows and accepts that. But lately I have gathered a lot of strange stares and…
52
votes
5 answers

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 at me, and I did the international sign for "what…
WhatEvil
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50
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6 answers

How to address a someone who is constantly offended on my behalf

Background: I was born with several disabilities, including Asperger's syndrome, hearing impairment, and other difficulties related to being born blue. (Neonatal hypoxia) I am nearly 50, am independent, and have come to terms with all of my…
user4548
45
votes
4 answers

How to tell a "friend" to stop pretending to flirt with my girlfriend?

There's this acquaintance of both my girlfriend and I that pretends to flirt with my girlfriend. Neither of us are close enough with him to classify him as a "friend," though both my girlfriend and I get along well with him [except for this…
abcdefg
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44
votes
8 answers

How can I get a friend to stop calling me all of the time?

My friend has been there for me through the worst times of my life, and to the point where no one really helped me besides her. She's going through a bit of a rough time now and I've done everything I can to help her. I normally do answer her calls…
user477465
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