Previously dated men, now wants to date women. Problem: I can't tell when women are interested in me or if they just want to be friends. [more inside]
posted by Eleutherios on Oct 13, 2009 - 17 answers

How do i get over my fear of intimacy in friendships, and actually let myself get into close friendships and not push people away? Help me sort out my problems with intimacy and social anxiety, and fix it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 11, 2009 - 8 answers

"Why do you do that? Stop it. Let other people bless you. You're always supporting others, why don't you let others show support for you?" This is what a co-worker said to me today when scolding me about my not wanting to have a promotion luncheon and moving to another area. This has happened like three times in as many years. After many excuses, I finally conceded to her "I don't know." [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 16, 2009 - 11 answers

Are there any decent guides to improving your social skills? Most of what I've found on the topic deals with children, formal etiquette, or the standard self-help cant. Is there anything for people interested in the nuts and bolts of building relationships, giving off a good impression, and making people think you are a good guy. I get the idea that most people with bad social skills tend not to care or notice and this hurts the market for such material. I have a pretty good eye for books and I have found precious little on this topic. I assume we are supposed to learn these things in childhood or be screwed for life. [more inside]
posted by Yakuman on Feb 6, 2009 - 16 answers

How can we get our friends to put their 4 year old to bed so we can have grown up evenings together? [more inside]
posted by lilyflower on Jan 18, 2009 - 45 answers

I feel like I made the right decision in breaking up with my (jealous) BFF of 10 yrs - but I still feel guilty over it? Also, what to do about mutual friends and any advice on coping? [more inside]
posted by urbanchic on Jan 18, 2009 - 22 answers

Is it really true that the more you do for others, the closer you will become? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 30, 2008 - 13 answers

Is it possible for the wife of a CEO (me) to be good friends with the wives of my husband's management team spouses? We socialize a few times per year and I always sort of feel guarded with them. I like many of them a lot and would like them as friends. Part of me sees it as not a good idea though? Would it compromise my husbands relationships at work? Might there be trust and confidentiality issues? Maybe it is just about how close I get to them? Keeping boundaries as far as what we talk about? Staying away from talk about the company? Would I be able to share important things going on in my life or will it become company gossip---and spread like wildfire? Anyone here have experience with this?
posted by seekingsimplicity on Feb 7, 2008 - 10 answers

Can you recommend books, movies, or essays with good portrayals of friendships or people's social circles? [more inside]
posted by salvia on Jan 27, 2008 - 30 answers

Why do I feel this way? I apologize for the length of this. This is a desperate attempt to get some understanding around a problem that has plagued me for years. What follows is a chronological account of things. The way it looks to me? I simply can't have friends. [more inside]
posted by tcv on Jul 6, 2007 - 45 answers

I can't go a whole day without offending someone. Should I be true to myself or please you? [more inside]
posted by Xurando on Dec 13, 2005 - 90 answers

My girlfriend and I are friends with another couple whom we'd like to become, er, more intimate with. Unfortunately, they, like us, are very reserved, and don't tend to talk about sex, so we have no idea how to begin to broach the subject. The friendship is very important to us, and we don't want to ruin it. What should we do?
posted by anonymous on Jan 26, 2005 - 38 answers

Friendship with an Ex? (added wrinkle: 17 year age difference, and of course, more inside) [more inside]
posted by amberglow on Oct 22, 2004 - 16 answers

Can someone's standing be vitiated by honesty? For example, telling someone they are fat and need to lose weight? [more inside]
posted by the fire you left me on Aug 29, 2004 - 33 answers