Anyone who has been to Australia or talked to any Australian males (sometimes females) will know they frequently call people they have never met before or even people they're angry with: "mate". What other expressions of universal male bonding are used in other countries?
posted by vizsla on Jun 18, 2009 - 35 answers

As a friend of someone who is going through an extended personal rough patch, how do I find and maintain a good balance between being a sympathetic ear and feeling like a punching bag? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 27, 2009 - 18 answers

I'm in love with my friend. I'm going to tell him, but not for a few months. A) What do I do in the meantime? B) Any dos/don'ts for when I tell him? C) How do I both hope for the best and keep my expectations in check so I don't get hurt if he's not interested? D) Any way I can feel him out for signs of interest? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 1, 2009 - 42 answers

I've just left a relationship in which I was having great sex, but not experiencing enough non-sexual physical affection from my partner. It really made me aware of how much I need physical contact such as hugs, and knowing that there's a living body near me. How can I get more of that feeling of physical affection without actually hooking up with someone? [more inside]
posted by pipstar on Mar 14, 2009 - 27 answers

After a breakup that is not mutual, what is the purpose of staying friends with the person who dumped you? [more inside]
posted by RajahKing on Mar 6, 2009 - 32 answers

I've been working with this guy for 3 months, and we've gotten on really well the whole time. Today he casually brought up his girlfriend for the first time. Why hasn't he mentioned her before? [more inside]
posted by bibliophibianj on Feb 11, 2009 - 31 answers

I'm looking for movies about love that are not of the Titanic type. That is, they are about two people who learn to love each other over a long period of time. Maybe at first they don't particularly like each other - or they are just together by necessity, or they are just friends and never think about love. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by vizsla on Jan 3, 2009 - 53 answers

How do you keep in touch with friends and relatives over long distances? [more inside]
posted by abdulf on Oct 19, 2008 - 12 answers

Lately, the concept of "friends" seems to have become incredibly diluted by the casual use of the term by Facebook, MySpace et al. But in "the real world" what do you consider to be important when you are making and becoming friends? Is it how long you've known someone? How frequently you meet up? What you have in common? Something more intangible? Also, I'd love recommendations of any books looking at the psychology of how people become friends.
posted by pipstar on May 14, 2008 - 21 answers

I have very few close friends. Most of them I have known for a few years (on the internet) but have never even met. I've never known how to have a superficial friend. I don't keep old friends. Has there been any research on how many close friends people usually have and keep during their lifetimes? [more inside]
posted by zaebiz on Mar 3, 2008 - 2 answers

I did what I was asking about in this question , and now I've lost one of my friends. [more inside]
posted by stedman15 on Feb 20, 2008 - 59 answers

How do I "break up" with a platonic friend? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 2, 2008 - 26 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

How do people go about bringing honest communication into their friendships and relationships? [more inside]
posted by gregb1007 on Sep 21, 2007 - 18 answers

I'm picky about friends and lovers. How much should I compromise? [more inside]
posted by mpls2 on Aug 18, 2007 - 23 answers

What are the best ways of dealing with dramatic friends, to give them the love and support that they need without rewarding their dramatic strategies? [more inside]
posted by xo on Apr 20, 2007 - 29 answers

Is it too pathetic to ask an ex who wants to be friends to quit calling me because I’m still stuck on him? If not, how can I do it and maintain a shred of dignity? What do I say? [more inside]
posted by poxuppit on Feb 27, 2007 - 32 answers

How does one make friends in LA? [more inside]
posted by dentata on Feb 3, 2007 - 25 answers

What to do about accusations / insinuations that one can't be trusted hanging out with other people's girlfriends and/or they can't be trusted hanging out with you? [more inside]
posted by dobbs on Dec 16, 2006 - 18 answers

A friend of mine said something hurtful. Should I be offended? (Long) [more inside]
posted by LoriFLA on Jul 25, 2006 - 40 answers

Looking for a brainstorm about tips for a shy, semi-square kind of guy to make friends with locals in a cool neighbourhood. [more inside]
posted by jchgf on Jul 10, 2006 - 13 answers

How to deal with someone who wants my attention – when I don’t want to give it to him. [more inside]
posted by different on Jul 4, 2006 - 37 answers

My best female friend is very emotionally sensitive-- to the point where we can't mention a specific ex-boyfriend from three years ago in her presence. I and her other close friends are starting to think she can't control her responses about this, and that it's starting to impact how honest we can be with her. What can we do? [more inside]
posted by woot on May 27, 2006 - 22 answers

Two friends agreeing to marry each other if they are single by a certain age: does this really happen in real life? [more inside]
posted by divabat on May 20, 2006 - 47 answers

My ex-boyfriend wants to be friends. I don't. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 29, 2005 - 22 answers

My relationship is wonderful. It's been a couple of years and we have big plans, a definitely long term view, get along perfectly, still have passion, all that... So why did I kiss a friend while really, really drunk the other night? And what should I do about it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 22, 2005 - 55 answers

How should a woman make it clear to a man she has just met that she is interested in being friends, even good friends, but not interested romantically? [more inside]
posted by cmyr on Apr 28, 2005 - 42 answers

How do I learn what to say to a friend in need? [more inside]
posted by schroedinger on Apr 19, 2005 - 18 answers

How do you keep your friends? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by Big Fat Tycoon on Feb 8, 2005 - 30 answers

"I think of you.. more as a friend." A girl I really, really (seriously) 'like' sprung that one on me yesterday. Her explanation was rather strange in general: apparently I'd make a great boyfriend, but she'd make a lousy girlfriend, and she's saving me from myself. Is this low self-esteem, or plain lies, or what? And what the heck should I do about the whole thing?
posted by anonymous on Oct 13, 2004 - 55 answers