I'm heading off to Paris for four days, and I'm starting to get a bit nervous that I'll forget something important. I've never been to Paris, and I haven't been to Europe for fifteen years. I'll be staying by myself in a hotel in Arondissement 7. I'm wondering if you can help me out with any last-minute tips or things I'm likely to have forgotten. [more inside]
posted by cider on Oct 9, 2009 - 25 answers

I like cooking, and I have a variety of spices, but I have never learned how to really use them. How should I learn to use them? What are some tips for trying things out? Do you have any any good recipes that highlight particular spice blends in traditional or unusual ways? [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief on Sep 29, 2009 - 16 answers

I'm a complete novice cook, but I'm cooking salmon tagliatelle for my girlfriend on her birthday. I've made it twice for myself but I think it could be better... [more inside]
posted by lemonfridge on Aug 29, 2009 - 18 answers

Depression in University/College: most of you seem to have been through it, do you have any tips? [more inside]
posted by teraspawn on Aug 2, 2009 - 17 answers

What have you learned through your career, major, or specialization that you wish the general public knew? [more inside]
posted by Earl the Polliwog on Jul 2, 2009 - 211 answers

If you are a waitress, can you deduct from your taxes the amount that your restaurant requires you to tip-out to your bussers? (In my case, this generally amounts to $8-$15 for every shift I work.) [more inside]
posted by melangell on May 14, 2009 - 9 answers

surfer-filter: First timer looking for noob advice and tips. My complete surfing history: Two years ago, a friend took me surfing and on the first try I rode a wave until it ended. Then I got out of the water. [more inside]
posted by brenton on May 14, 2009 - 5 answers

I throw like a little kid, and it's embarrassing. Please help me excel at adult dodgeball. [more inside]
posted by pseudostrabismus on Apr 20, 2009 - 17 answers

New road warrior here! Looking for sites, blogs, toys etc that all you other road warriors use to help ease myself into this lifestyle. [more inside]
posted by wile e on Feb 6, 2009 - 15 answers

Since I began a reading life (at about age eight), I have had a problem: my mind automatically places action in just a few places familiar to me from my life: my house, the main street of my hometown. Whether the action in a novel takes place in 16th century Scotland, or the Black Forest, or under the Unisphere. Are there ways to get around this, or to learn to read fiction more actively, and, fantastically/creatively? [more inside]
posted by Tufa on Jan 29, 2009 - 30 answers

How can I be less long-winded? [more inside]
posted by contessa on Dec 5, 2008 - 36 answers

This may seem like one of those "duh" questions, but I've just put in my very first air conditioner (thanks to MeFites) and have a few quick questions. [more inside]
posted by WCityMike on Aug 1, 2006 - 26 answers

My refrigerator reeks like a landfill, with no apparent reason for it. Please help me. [more inside]
posted by Your Time Machine Sucks on Oct 14, 2005 - 13 answers

I'd appreciate any and all advice associated with changing work environments -- whether practical advice (about little bits of personal business to remember, or health insurance crud), or mental/emotional advice (how to adjust internally), or sociological advice (how to smooth the transition into a new employee culture). I also suck learning names -- hopefully they'll have nameplates, but anyone have tips for committing a large mass of names and faces to memory? [more inside]
posted by WCityMike on Apr 13, 2005 - 14 answers

How can I make salads more palatable? And any recommendations for healthy food with strong flavors? [more inside]
posted by WCityMike on Feb 28, 2005 - 56 answers