I work in a small shop in a male dominated trade. I am 26 but read younger (by up to 10 years if you have a weird idea of how teenagers look) small, blonde, and need to dress casually (jeans and a tshirt and sneakers) due to the nature of my work. Customer's ask me on a near-daily basis if I'm my boss's daughter. I hate this, I feel it undermines my value as an employee who has worked hard to be in the position I'm in. I'd like to think of a response that makes them feel like a ninny for one second, without offending customers. [more inside]
posted by euphoria066 on May 17, 2013 - 47 answers

In my day to day life, I often have to deal with people who, instead of asking questions, make assumptions aloud at you about what you're going to be doing despite the fact that these assumptions may not be accurate. A lot of the time these techniques are used along with someone pretending to be so hopelessly helpless that they could not possibly take care of their own workplace problems. Basically, it's a technique used by weasels. For example: "I know you're going to be very helpful during this process because..." or "I don't know x from z so it's a good thing you are here to handle that part" They will also make assumptions about what you would and would not do. "I know you wouldn't want x or z to happen because..." These things are usually in no way true. In fact, the weasel in question often knows they're not true, they're just testing boundaries. So my question is generally, how does one push back against these behaviors without being rude, jarring and literal? Especially if you're dealing with a weasel -- they're better at this than you. I tend to shut down in the presence of weaselry, giving them very little the work with, but this doesn't seem like the best solution.
posted by Feel the beat of the rhythm of the night on Feb 1, 2013 - 19 answers

It seems I'm incapable of becoming attached to individuals or trusting them. Help? [more inside]
posted by jumelle on Apr 1, 2012 - 41 answers

So, what are the universally accepted axioms in philosophy, if any? [more inside]
posted by TheOtherSide on Sep 10, 2009 - 26 answers

I make too many assumptions: about people I meet, things I read, and new experiences. My assumptions inhibit me from asking further questions, which leads to inaccuracies. What can I do to change? [more inside]
posted by Jason and Laszlo on Jul 9, 2009 - 14 answers