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1500 questions
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6 answers
How to reply genuinely (but politely) to apologies for lateness?
How can I answer tactfully but sincerely latecomers' apologies for being (very) late? I refuse, and it appears insincere, to answer with phrases that forgive them (e.g. It's nothing/all right. Don't worry about it.), when their lateness are not…
NNOX Apps
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What reply is expected to the query "How are you?"
This is closely related to the How to respond to "What's up?" post, but carries some different nuances. What is the best course of action when a casual acquaintance or work colleague greets you with a "How are you?" Is a casual or non-committal…
r m
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How to address a friend's misunderstanding of an intention?
One of my friends often misunderstands many friendly gestures. One of them is an offer of mint candy is taken as we are suggesting he has bad breath.
It seems he suspects such gestures have a hidden motive, and conversations to have hidden…
Vylix
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5 answers
How to approach the owner's handicapped son about him distracting our work?
For the last two weeks, our owner's son has been coming to our office daily to "work". However, he can't work. There's no work that can be assigned to him, and he is constantly distracting us by demanding more work (which he actually can't do).
He…
Vylix
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10
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3 answers
When is it appropriate to look into people's eyes while walking on street?
Is it normal or recommended to look into stranger's eyes when walking on a street, especially when it involves the opposite sex?
If so how long and how many times you look towards that person without looking suspicious/creepy?
idurvesh
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5 answers
How to get along with European roommates?
I am a white male engineer born in Brazil and lived also in United States and France. I usually opt to live with roommates since it is more affordable and also I like the atmosphere of a shared living. The only problem that I have is that, despite…
Gabriel Diego
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4 answers
Why do people flirt in customer service situations?
I ran into this twice today with two different customers and it's a little strange to me. I almost thought it was just me being aspie and misreading the situation when it happened yesterday, but after today I'm pretty sure it was flirting.
I just…
apaul
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3 answers
Is it acceptable to call restaurant staff to take our picture?
Recently I was eating with friends in a busy restaurant, and I was surprised to see one friend call a waiter only to take a group picture of us.
Is it acceptable to bother busy restaurant staff for pictures, which is probably not part of their…
nic
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4 answers
How to use book knowledge in casual conversation?
I'm an avid reader of non-fiction. Most books I read are very relevant to the real world (topics such as psychology, history, various religions, parenting, racial tensions in America, etc.) Quite a few of my opinions have come to be based on book…
danjuggler
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3 answers
Inviting colleague from work to hang out outside office hours
Background: I started a new job about two months ago in a new city. I've been getting to know people decently, I suppose. There are a couple people whose company I really enjoy, though I don't know either of them super well.
Also, I should mention…
user5383
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How should I handle disagreeing with my sisters cash cow milking?
Inspired by this question: How to avoid being seen as a cash cow by my family?, I wanted to ask how my own situation should be handled.
We are not rich, but also not poor. My sister has two little children, has less money, but still is no way poor.…
Jane Doe
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4 answers
Appropriate response to compliments that come across as rude?
I get a lot of strange compliments on my weight and I do not think I have ever been able to sort out an appropriate response.
I get compliments about my weight (and questions on how I stay so thin or lost weight after babies). I don't do anything…
threetimes
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10
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4 answers
How to tell when a girl friend is not a girlfriend?
As a non-native English user, I sometimes have difficulty determining when someone mention "girl friend" really means girlfriend in a romantic relationship. Related post in ELU Does “girlfriend” or “boyfriend” always indicate partnership?
There…
Vylix
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1 answer
Sty on my eye, how to handle a meeting with my lecturer?
Today I had a rather larger sty on my lower eyelid, big enough that you could unmistakably see it within a couple of metres. I also had a meeting with my lecturer, that I needed to go to in order to ask some questions about an assignment.
On the…
codythecoder
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2 answers
Why is it considered bad form to break up with someone over written text?
I am autistic and, when I was a teenager (10 years ago), I had always heard that it was "rude" to break up with someone over text. However, I never understood why.
What's wrong with communicating by writing? Is it just that you would be deemed a…
Ael
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