How does someone with minimal social skill get the most out of an organized gathering? [more inside]
posted by frwagon on Nov 1, 2009 - 13 answers

Name that campaign! Need help finding an inspiring name for an internal/staff campaign that encompasses innovation + social media use... [more inside]
posted by latch24 on Oct 27, 2009 - 9 answers

My girlfriend is extremely outgoing while I enjoy quite evenings at home. How do we keep both sides happy and satisfied? [more inside]
posted by Sentus on Oct 25, 2009 - 22 answers

I think I really, really want to get into developing real estate. Can anyone give me an overview description of what the work / process is is like? [more inside]
posted by drea on Oct 21, 2009 - 6 answers

Help me network like a professional. What are common mistakes that soon-to-be graduates make at network events? What is proper etiquette for name exchanges, gracefully making one's way into a group conversation, and how one does one make an impression without coming off too strong? Particulars after the break. [more inside]
posted by cgomez on Oct 16, 2009 - 7 answers

I'd like to create a self-hosted private social network where users can submit a photo and personal information. But when a user logs in, they should only be able to see and modify their own profile information, and they should only be able to see and communicate with the admin, not the other users. I'd like to use a CMS such as Joomla, Elgg, Drupal, or Wordpress (Buddypress?), but I'm not sure what would be the best approach.
posted by Josh Coe on Oct 15, 2009 - 5 answers

Many workplaces ban social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and so on. What are some of the reasons workplaces should allow (and even encourage) staff to use social networking sites? [more inside]
posted by Jaybo on Oct 14, 2009 - 20 answers

What is the best way for a couple to tell their mutual friends that they're ending a long-term relationship? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 13, 2009 - 14 answers

Following a second interview tomorrow morning I will more likely than not be working at a large chain bookstore for a few months (including, obviously, the holiday season). I've never worked in retail, or anything that required me to deal with the public for that matter. I'm not expecting it to be very difficult, but is there anything I should know?
posted by phrontist on Oct 12, 2009 - 29 answers

Does anyone know of any quizzes or tests that would be good at indicating what type of hobbies or interests a person should pursue? I need to take on some new hobbies and interests so that I am more involved with people. I believe by doing this it would make meeting new people a lot easier. I'm basically in a rut right now, I do the same things all the time. I took a yoga class over the summer and enjoyed it immensely. I used to play guitar, but that doesn't push me to get involved with other people. [more inside]
posted by Garden on Oct 12, 2009 - 4 answers

Am I being unreasonable about how much time my girlfriend spends on online forums and message boards? [more inside]
posted by kleenkat on Oct 11, 2009 - 30 answers

Does anyone else feel like an imposter? I often have a hard time building relationships with people. I can be polite and make small talk with other people, but I struggle with making friends. I struggle with social anxiety which is part of the problem, but how do you move past it and build relationships with other people so that they are genuinely interested in getting to know you better? [more inside]
posted by Garden on Oct 5, 2009 - 13 answers

Looking for an article regarding the fact that single men are responsible for more social breakthroughs than are married men/fathers. [more inside]
posted by myodometer on Oct 3, 2009 - 3 answers

Need advice: what is the best way to educate a child who is a follower in large groups but an independent leader in small groups? [more inside]
posted by lynnie-the-pooh on Sep 30, 2009 - 15 answers

Do hotels or motels refuse to rent rooms to unmarried couples anymore? I took my girlfriend on a romantic getaway to the beach this weekend, and while I was not very concerned about it, I did wonder if it would be a problem. [more inside]
posted by smoothvirus on Sep 28, 2009 - 27 answers

I want to build a web site where gamers can converse via video. I'm thinking of something a bit like a Seesmic targeted toward gamers. Where do I start? [more inside]
posted by raddevon on Sep 28, 2009 - 8 answers

Hey all, Just a quick question, here. Currently I am trying to manage a number of blog-esque sites, i.e. MySpace, Face book, Word press, and of course Metafilter. I was wondering if anyone knew of programs to help maximize my productivity when updating these. For example, I often post new songs I have created. Is there any program that would allow me to post an update across all my pages from one central hub? How about managing my messages from these sites? Any way to manage those in my regular email, or is there a program that could unify these? Basically I'm wondering if there is some type of "command station" program to help manage multiple sites like this one. Thanks in advance for any help! Hope you all had a great weekend.
posted by Me, The Snake on Sep 20, 2009 - 10 answers

I am keenly interested in the social aspects and pervasive expansion of sites like Facebook. [more inside]
posted by toastchee on Sep 16, 2009 - 5 answers

Starting my dissertation (in the social sciences) - what advice do you have for me? [more inside]
posted by quodlibet on Sep 14, 2009 - 13 answers

How do I deal with anxiety about my discrete social groups interacting with one another? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 13, 2009 - 12 answers

Our somewhat estranged neighbors just lost their 19 y/o son in a tragic accident. How do we communicate our sympathies? [more inside]
posted by keith0718 on Sep 12, 2009 - 28 answers

I'm making a career change to be a psychotherapist/clinical psychologist. As a result of this I'm returning to university this month in my early thirties to study an undergraduate degree. In order to make a success of this I want all aspects of it to go well including the social aspects. I have a lot of common sense and am somewhat introverted though not painfully. I'd really welcome any tips on getting the most out of this experience, particularly in terms of easing meeting new people and forming new friendships. I'm UK based.
posted by anonymous on Sep 9, 2009 - 7 answers

I will be doing some consulting work. Basically I will be strategizing with a very small company on optimizing their presence on the web and helping them with social networking. Here's my problem-- I have no idea what to charge for my time. I will spend two hours driving to them and probably an hour or two consulting. What do you think I should charge? I don't want to be too low but I am also scared that I might be too high. What do you think would be a good rate? I am located in the Philadelphia area if that makes any difference.
posted by hellodonna on Sep 3, 2009 - 5 answers

"Please excuse me...No really, don't follow me, I don't want to talk to you." How do I politely get out of having to converse with someone I was friends with for a long, long time but am no longer? Person is inconsiderate, dismissive, and generally a bitch who thinks she's funny when she says mean things. [more inside]
posted by sio42 on Aug 17, 2009 - 27 answers

Work is thinking about banning access to Gmail, Facebook, Hotmail and other third-party email and social networking sites. Help me convince them not to? [more inside]
posted by raf on Aug 14, 2009 - 37 answers

What is the best way to find Social Work employment in Colorado? What are some different mental health agencies that are hiring? I am trying to move to Colorado by the end of the year and am a licensed social worker. I have started to get my appliations/resume together, but could use any useful information at all that could help me find a job. I guess I am not too interested in the Denver area, but would like to be in the range from Colorado Springs to Grand Junction, and as far down as Durango. I would love to live directly in Gunnison, CO if at all possible...but thats a small town. Thanks...
posted by Direwolf on Aug 14, 2009 - 1 answer

Do you live and work without a social insurance number in Canada? [more inside]
posted by figTree on Aug 13, 2009 - 17 answers

I have an opportunity to produce a kickass community Web site for my town. What cities already have wonderfully interactive, community Web sites I can look at for inspiration, or what do you think a killer town Web site should have or be like? [more inside]
posted by wackybrit on Aug 4, 2009 - 13 answers

Defended the MA, it's on its way to being published. Great! Dissertation chair wants me to continue with the project, adding a qualitative/comparative component. Uh oh. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 31, 2009 - 8 answers

Best topic-specific networking/community/cloud sites? [more inside]
posted by Kattiara17 on Jul 30, 2009 - 3 answers

I haven’t been to a doctor in nearly 10 years. 100% of this is due to what I believe is social anxiety. To get a real medical opinion I’d like/need to speak to a doctor. I cannot pickup the phone. (1) Looking for primary care physician recommendations near Columbia, MD and (2) advice on what to say to the person answering the phone. [more inside]
posted by syntheticfaith on Jul 22, 2009 - 22 answers

What do we know about gregariousness in human behavior? [more inside]
posted by bru on Jul 7, 2009 - 14 answers

I'm worried that I might have adult Asperger's or some similar social disorder that is keeping me from living a full and happy life. Lots of details after the jump. [more inside]
posted by fantine on Jul 6, 2009 - 43 answers

How to present the business case for using Twitter, Facebook, Friendfeed et al to drive our company's business [more inside]
posted by Ezrie on Jul 6, 2009 - 14 answers

Inside this introvert is an extrovert trying to get out. Help me. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 22, 2009 - 16 answers

I smoke a cigarette a day during the work week. I've been doing this for a few months now. Am I going to die of lung cancer? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 18, 2009 - 33 answers

How is it legal to post people's social security numbers on the internet for everyone to see? [more inside]
posted by rubberkey on Jun 9, 2009 - 6 answers

Do I stay for a few years where I'm unhappy to advance my career or do I move to be closer to nature/family/cool stuff? If I stay, how can I cope? [more inside]
posted by ShadePlant on Jun 2, 2009 - 15 answers

Facebook gives you the option of looking through your private email contacts (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) to see if you're not connected to them through the social networking site yet. Why are they keeping my login information on hand? [more inside]
posted by scarykarrey on Jun 1, 2009 - 14 answers

I'm looking for books and articles about (for back of a better term) "couples bonding" - the way in which couples befriend other couples and reinforce one another's relationships through social interaction and emotional bonding. Is there a real term for this? Are there any folks who have written about this that aren't too pop-psych?
posted by mykescipark on May 28, 2009 - 4 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

How can I get rid of my nervous laugh? [more inside]
posted by tenaciousd on May 8, 2009 - 11 answers

Does anyone have any information about best practices & strategies for online community support and community development? [more inside]
posted by mere on May 8, 2009 - 6 answers

Is it possible to write a story with no hint whatsoever of any other being but one? [more inside]
posted by dnial on Apr 23, 2009 - 22 answers

How can I make new friends on Twitter? [more inside]
posted by The1andonly on Apr 22, 2009 - 16 answers

I have a friend who just discovered new social media and he has no boundaries. How can I tell him to back off without hurting his feelings? [more inside]
posted by micawber on Apr 20, 2009 - 40 answers

Need tips on how to deal with an (intensely) aggravating employee. [more inside]
posted by FatherDagon on Apr 14, 2009 - 35 answers

How does an introvert socialize in a second language? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 13, 2009 - 16 answers

What do you do when you're introduced to a group of people all at once? [more inside]
posted by truth1ness on Apr 9, 2009 - 20 answers

How can I help my 32-year-old sister conquer her intense fear of interacting with people? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 3, 2009 - 9 answers