In what kinds of situations might I be asked, "What do you do for a living?" or similar questions, and what can I say that won't turn people off (in professional or dating contexts) to explain or imply that I'm currently unemployed, disconnected with my field, and not looking for a job due to (an invisible) disability?
posted by mock muppet
on Jun 17, 2012 -
36 answers
Coworker and I are spending time together outside of work, hitting it off, and I think she's interested. She's also on the verge of getting a divorce. Am I setting myself up for something bad?
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 17, 2012 -
24 answers
Help me get out of my head so I can let a new relationship actually take place in real time.
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posted by dekathelon
on Jun 12, 2012 -
7 answers
We dated for quite a while, but it didn't work out and we've ended up as good friends. But now I'm entering a serious relationship for the first time since it ended, and the shift in my attention seems to be rattling her. How can I handle this gracefully?
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 12, 2012 -
39 answers
There's a girl who works in my university library who I find really attractive. We sometimes catch eyes and smile, although I find myself looking her way quite a lot, so that might not mean anything. The other day she commented on a book I was getting out and recommended me another that she thought I might enjoy. Most days, though, I just walk straight past her to get a desk. She'd recognise my face, but does not know anything about me (apart from what I am reading, sometimes). I know nothing about her apart from what she reads (stuff I also know a bit about). How would you proceed? I've never 'asked out' somebody before. But would it just come across as creepy? Should I ask her out? Or just talk to her more? I feel paralysed! What would be the thing to do, hive-mind?
posted by aaronjames
on Jun 10, 2012 -
31 answers
Does finding a partner really get that much harder after 30? I'm a guy in my early 30s and I am starting to feel it now.
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posted by blizkreeg
on Jun 10, 2012 -
15 answers
First date after a breakup. I am dreading it, and getting back into the dating game in general. I've never felt this way before. Has anyone ever experienced this before? Does jumping back into the dating game help these feelings go away, or would I be better off waiting until I feel excited about dating again?
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posted by tokaidanshi
on Jun 10, 2012 -
14 answers
Middle-aged, relatively inexperienced and kinky in the "wrong" way. Should I just give up hope?
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 8, 2012 -
25 answers
Why am I not in love with my girlfriend? I'm 25. She's 28. We're 7 months in and things are fine, but sometimes I wonder if things should be better. Am I over thinking things? Is more time going to change anything? Answers based off a guy's similar experience would be awesome, but all advice is appreciated.
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posted by yeahyeahyeah
on Jun 8, 2012 -
61 answers
It's been years and I can't forget this guy. I don’t know what to do. Please help.
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posted by deeba
on Jun 7, 2012 -
18 answers
What male-dominated activities would be good venues for meeting single men? I'm a single 43-year-old woman, and not interested in the bar scene.
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posted by lex6819
on Jun 5, 2012 -
75 answers
Looking for a little perspective on communication styles to help ease some anxiety about a woman I've been out with a few times. (You guessed it--snowflake inside)
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 3, 2012 -
14 answers
I'm a woman who identifies as queer and is out about it. Until now has mostly dated and had sex with men. I have always been more attracted to women though, and do not want to date guys any more as I just do not have the same romantic feelings and it turns out badly for everyone involved. But I am scared no woman will ever want to date me because of my lack of history dating women and my lack of confidence in talking to them. Apologies for the length.
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posted by Hey nonny nonny mouse
on Jun 2, 2012 -
16 answers
Is he a player? Give me suggestions to work around my lack of confidence, please, so that I'm not a target.
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posted by anonymous
on May 30, 2012 -
30 answers
Can you help me show a friend that plenty of people find love after 35? She is afraid that no one will want a relationship with a woman who is single at 35.
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posted by persephone's rant
on May 27, 2012 -
50 answers
I'm addicted. To a person. And much like addictions to other things, I know I need rehab, but I'm not ready to go there. What can I do to manage until I bottom out/finally wake up/he drops me?
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posted by patientpatient
on May 26, 2012 -
24 answers
I'm hopelessly, desperately clueless at dating. Extensive tl;dr content contained herein. Be gentle, but above all: HALP. Now, watch as I over think my plate of beans.
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posted by anonymous
on May 26, 2012 -
16 answers
Advice needed to transition back into casual and not-so casual online dating after a long time.
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posted by anonymous
on May 25, 2012 -
8 answers
The quick and dirty: I'm seeing a guy. We slept on the first date, he brought up dating exclusively and we were both in earnest, mutual agreement that neither of us were looking for a FWB type of deal. Caveat: He's moving at the end of the summer. How best to proceed? Details behind the cut to fill in the blanks...
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posted by chloe.gelsomino
on May 24, 2012 -
22 answers
How important is age vs life-stage when looking for a partner? I'm 30 but might as well be 25, and I don't know where I should be looking for my next partner.
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posted by farce majeure
on May 22, 2012 -
27 answers
My friend-with-benefits rarely texts me or asks to see me. So I think he's probably not that into it. But then he spends hours fixing things around the house for me. What would explain this?
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posted by anonymous
on May 17, 2012 -
39 answers
Relationship-filter: I am willing to work on my relationship with a S.O. This leads to the problem that I have a hard time assessing if the relationship is working through. Let me explain more:
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posted by philosophygeek
on May 16, 2012 -
12 answers
At my wits end with personal ads (and photos). Sorry guys, this one is long. You've been warned.
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posted by anonymous
on May 16, 2012 -
30 answers
looking for some NSA encounter while travelling, willing but clueless: help me do this casual hookup thing?
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posted by anonymous
on May 13, 2012 -
19 answers
You're supposed to bite the bullet and tell someone how you feel -- because life is about risk and vulnerability and Going For It, I get that. But I also can't shake the feeling that by the time it gets to that point, it's already too late. Disabuse me of this notion (or not)?
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posted by anonymous
on May 8, 2012 -
27 answers
Help me decide whether, and how, to man up with a shy friend I like-like with a significant age gap. Cue the snowflakes.
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posted by hungry hippo
on May 4, 2012 -
35 answers
Last fall, I
asked you guys for some help with my OkCupid profile. Your advice worked really well for me! I've changed a fair bit since then and now that I'm getting back into dating full-time I'm going back for round 2 with the hive mind.
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posted by modernserf
on May 2, 2012 -
18 answers
At a physical checkup I met a med-school student who was touring around with the doctor learning to diagnose, etc. She seemed sweet. Would it be weird to call the office and ask her to lunch?
posted by uncannyslacks
on May 1, 2012 -
27 answers
Should I text, friend, or otherwise contact a guy I met in a bar on Sunday? I've never really met a romantic interest this way before and have always been a bit leery of it. But he seemed cool.
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posted by sucky_poppet
on May 1, 2012 -
46 answers
