One of the problems I seem to have is coming across as overly critical, despite the fact that I am normally patient and tolerant with people. So I ask you all: How long do you tolerate an issue until you bring it up as a problem? And how do you communicate this so that the other person sees it as something to work on, without feeling "under the gun" all the time? [more inside]
posted by matticulate on Dec 13, 2009 - 33 answers

I've been told that it's not uncommon for friends to either ignore or drop you after you've been through the process of death/dying of a loved one. Good or bad, sometimes people just can't deal with that type of situation. However I've had 2 friends in recent months go off on me, tell me that I'm a terrible person, and that I'd said/done something that offended me so much that they don't want to be my friend anymore. Both accusations took me by surprise and I'm now wondering, did they wait to say anything to me until after my loved one passed? [more inside]
posted by green_flash on Nov 23, 2009 - 15 answers

A friend, who leans Ron Paul libertarian, was recently trying to convince me that anthropogenic global warming is largely a myth. A central part of his argument was his claiming that there was recently a petition signed by 40,000 independent climate scientists saying that, in his words, "so-called global warming is bullshit." More inside. [more inside]
posted by Ash3000 on Nov 17, 2009 - 38 answers

Relationshipfilter: Is there any way to salvage our relationship once and for all? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 16, 2009 - 20 answers

I've been seeing this guy for over 6 months now, and everything is absolutley wonderful, except that he's part of a circle of friends that are very much into recreational drug taking.. I have some experience of drugs, but am now firmly anti-drugs because of the health risks etc. [more inside]
posted by clown-mustard on Sep 3, 2009 - 64 answers

I have a people problem. I have no idea what it is. A lot more inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 5, 2009 - 147 answers

Can anyone recommend a powerful textual search tool I can use on anything I want? [more inside]
posted by valkyryn on Feb 6, 2009 - 11 answers

An acquaintance of mine insists I owe him $210 for a bong of his I broke. And to come up with the money NOW. Help! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 8, 2008 - 59 answers

After being refused a girl's phone number by a friend (on rather shakey grounds), I decided to get in touch with her via a social networking site we're all on. She's got a boyfriend, oh well. Meanwhile, said friend sees that we're now 'friends' on the site and sends a bunch of angry messages. Am I in the wrong, and how do I deal with this guy? [long] [more inside]
posted by Surfyournut on Oct 13, 2008 - 57 answers

I'm one of those people who takes "teh internetz" seriously, and nothing turns me on quite like a verbal smackdown for the ages. What are some of the most memorable instances of rhetorical tai chi you've come across that can send my libido into overdrive?
posted by Christ, what an asshole on Sep 3, 2008 - 32 answers

Help my girlfriend and me end this stupid and (I suspect) fairly common dynamic of arguing. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 28, 2008 - 32 answers

I am having difficulty figuring out whether our arguments are normal in a relationship or whether they're poisonous. [more inside]
posted by gadha on Feb 23, 2008 - 64 answers

How do I deal with a friend who is adamant that the moon landings are faked? [more inside]
posted by furtive on Sep 25, 2007 - 42 answers

How far must you go to be kind to your elders? Details inside. [more inside]
posted by IndigoRain on Jul 7, 2006 - 26 answers

Do we live in a natural world or a supernatural world? [more inside]
posted by iced_borsch on Jan 8, 2006 - 61 answers

In an otherwise great relationship, is it normal to have moments where you feel completely fed up? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 8, 2005 - 19 answers

How do I learn to fight fair? Once or twice a year, I end up completely flipping out over a completely insignificant event that results in a drag-out, no-holds-barred argument. I'll be the first to admit that hormones are a major factor in these cases. When this happens, I find myself completely unable to behave in a rational manner. I drag in previous relationship drama, I make statements that I know are deeply hurtful and unfair and essentially commit emotional blackmail. After a few hours I come to my senses but I would much prefer that it not happen in the first place. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 4, 2005 - 29 answers

Your significant other is in a disagreement with someone and looks to you to back him/her up. You think the other person is right and your s.o. is wrong. Quick: what do you do?
posted by gottabefunky on Apr 23, 2004 - 33 answers