Interpersonal Skills Stack Exchange
Interpersonal Skills Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [socializing]

For questions about socially mixing up with others, or make someone behave in a way that is acceptable to their society.

Often, people try to involve in the activities they tend to enjoy in order to socially mixing up with others. Questions here should be about socializing. Locations such public locations can be added, but more private locations can be added too, such as with family or friends.

This tag should also be used in reference to other tags, such as location ones () and also more specific ones such as to describe who you are with at the time. You can also use tags such as to describe the situation the asker is in.

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How do I answer the question "why are you vegan?" honestly, without making them resent me?

I am a vegan, only for ethical reasons. It is something I'm very willing to discuss. I have deliberated about it very carefully, for a long time, and have read papers and text books on the philosophy of ethics on my spare time in order to help me…
Bridgeburners
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How do I answer a question about not enjoying a party without revealing sensitive information

I don't go to parties often, in fact I actively avoid it as much as humanly possible. Still, sometimes social obligations get the better of me and I begrudgingly attend. Most of the times then I'll be in a corner or somewhere a little off from…
Magisch
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23 answers

Is it rude to ask someone where they are from originally?

Introduction This question is different from this excellent one, since it is not about tourists. The differences will become clear later on, I hope. I will, as usual, use fake names (Alice and Eve this time) and also name places (L. A. and New…
Anne Daunted GoFundMonica
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7 answers

How to determine if someone is busy or just doesn't want to spend time with me?

A friend of mine, Tim, is often busy. I've been trying to make plans with him to go out for drinks, but he seems to be busy every time I make this offer. This happens fairly often so I have a slight suspicion that perhaps he's using this as a way of…
Arthas
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6 answers

How do I politely indicate that I want to go home?

Situation: I hang out with A for a while. Having lunch together, shopping for a bit. I now feel tired and I want to go home. I don't dislike the person and I don't want to give them the impression I do, but I can't enjoy hanging out with them when…
Cubic
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12 answers

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 unplanned. Sometimes I am informed about the…
aaa
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How can I convincingly communicate to a friend that I don't have a 'personal' mobile number?

I dislike telephone communication in general, compared to face-to-face interactions. I am not interested in communicating with anybody with mobile phone, for socialising or professional purposes. I work from home now and am near-constantly reachable…
English Student
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How can I handle a co-worker awkwardly forcing herself into conversations?

Background: I've recently started working on a new project, in a team of around 10 people. I'm the only female on that team, but the guys are awesome and it's a great, fun group of people to work with. Once a week, we work at a location where…
Tinkeringbell
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How best to conduct myself if bringing my significant other to a party where they do not know anyone?

If I am bringing my significant other (SO) to a party where they do not know anyone, and also, the people in attendance all have something in common and are gathering for a common reason - in this case, everyone at the party attends the same…
ozom5
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7 answers

How to avoid short answers when talking to my family?

I am a 30 year old programmer, and I feel like becoming more and more a "program" myself. When talking with friends or families, except for a certain group of friends with whom it's always fun and games, I don't ask much and I don't tell much. So,…
gl_prout
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Boyfriend always responds "I didn't mean to" when he gets feedback

My boyfriend (been together 4 years) will always respond with "I didn't mean to!", when someone points out to him he did something wrong. It always sounds slightly accusatory when he says it, like he wants to say: "I'm only human, stop blaming me!".…
Belle
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How can I say I want to be left alone without having to explain myself or lie about it?

In all my jobs so far I have had coworkers who spent their lunch breaks together. At my current job there are a lot of restaurants close and everyone goes there during their break. I'm a very introverted person, so social interactions can make me…
Summer
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It's my birthday! How do I tell people who don't know, who might want to know, without being awkward?

It's my birthday*! It's a rather important birthday. There are a lot of people who might want to know such a thing, because of social customs or friendliness or something. One of those things. Mostly, these people are coworkers. However, there are…
user2203
43
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11 answers

How can you distance yourself from people you have nothing in common with without being a snob?

Over the last couple of months, I was entrusted by a few people in my workplace with the fact that I was considered a snob by a large part of the staff. That sort of hit a soft spot since I always prided myself about being approachable and able to…
Xander
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How to turn down 'stay in touch' proposal from manipulative ex-coworker when leaving job/moving?

I recently quit my job, after a three months notice, and I've changed my region of residence (it's like moving to another state in the USA, but the regions are smaller). The last day, when everyone was saying goodbye all along the day, one of them…
GlinesMome
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