My children's adored grandmother is a smoker. She doesn't smoke in front of the kids but does take several smoke breaks a day, and while our two year old is oblivious, our four year old is probably close to figuring out what's up. Growing up, I had no relatives who smoked, and my parents pushed the "boy, smokers sure think they look cool, don't they look stupid though?" angle which worked fine on me. Obviously that isn't going to work in this case. How do you talk with young children about smoking as a Bad Thing when relatives smoke?
posted by rouftop
on May 21, 2013 -
33 answers
Dear Vulcan Homeworld, I want to learn how to converse better with my wife. Currently my overly-logical thought and speech patterns upset her, frequently in ways I'm unable even to predict. She deserves better. I've struggled on my own to come up with dozens of different approaches, all of which have ultimately failed in different ways, so I come to you for help.
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posted by blue_and_bronze
on Mar 12, 2013 -
39 answers
I've been seeing my boyfriend for about three months, and just about everything is great. We see each other almost every day and sleep at each other's houses so often we practically live together. We have everything in common, and I've never met anyone I click with that much. One thing we have in common that's not so great, though: we're both shy, and sometimes we don't know what to say to each other! How can we overcome this? And, while we're on the subject, what are some good conversation starters? More info below.
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posted by Gee, June!
on Feb 27, 2013 -
39 answers
Metafilter, I am a tall and fit guy but my voice is high and nervous sounding. Are there any methods to deepen my sissy voice and make me a paler version of Morgan Freeman?
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posted by Sentus
on Jan 19, 2013 -
14 answers
If I want to study conversation -- how people talk, what they look like when they're talking, why people talk in certain situations, how to get better at talking -- what are the classics? What has helped you?
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posted by insteadofapricots
on Nov 7, 2012 -
10 answers
How can I learn to stay focused while talking (and listening) on the phone, particularly in professional contexts?
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posted by brackish.line
on Mar 28, 2012 -
6 answers
The guy I am dating has unusual tendencies, is this a part of his ADD? Or his quirkiness? How should I approach the subject?
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posted by Chelsaroo650
on Feb 13, 2012 -
75 answers
New relationship - how and when do I bring up the "serious" relationship conversations?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 12, 2012 -
16 answers
I've always had to initiate nearly all [online] conversations I've ever had. I would like to do something about it.
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 3, 2011 -
14 answers
What is the name of the older (1970's?) song where a hippy-type chap sings. The words are like a rambling story with comments on the state of the world and its indulgences something like; "To do, half past 2, clock tick, time you, fast food, food fast, open for business, convineance, emmeniance, de-grease, de-gas" kind of deal?
posted by Cogentesque
on Oct 28, 2011 -
7 answers
I'm meeting some important people at individual coffee meetings. What can I do to ensure I have a quality meeting/conversation where the person feels like they had a rewarding time as well?
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posted by suburbs
on Oct 14, 2011 -
5 answers
I'm done with freezing up when I talk. Help me become a better conversationalist.
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posted by suburbs
on Sep 16, 2011 -
14 answers
My overweight roommate is growing increasingly depressed about aforementioned extra weight. She makes poor eating choices. Should I say something?
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 26, 2011 -
46 answers
I've recently started liking Jan Hammer's Miami Vice music, Genesis, stuff like that. Anybody doing that style today? Sans retro-irony?
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posted by circular
on Mar 12, 2011 -
12 answers
I want some new verbal affectations or expressions that I can use to express my personality without looking either anachronistic or a jackass.
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posted by l33tpolicywonk
on Feb 17, 2011 -
65 answers
manhattan filter: whats a good public place (pub/diner etc) to sit and have a long, deep, nuanced talk for at least 2 hours with a friend? Near columbia U. would be nice. Beer needed, food a plus.
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posted by jak68
on Nov 27, 2010 -
15 answers
I need to start calling my mom more often. We are not close. We are both bad at small talk. What the heck do we talk about?
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 18, 2010 -
31 answers
Where would I find something like rehab... but without the drug bit? So basically like a retreat, but with talks/mutual feedback (trying to avoid the word "therapy")... and not excrutiatingly expensive.
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posted by ClarissaWAM
on Sep 20, 2010 -
17 answers
How can we set up our car so people in the back can take part in conversations happening up front?
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posted by ollyolly
on Jul 7, 2010 -
14 answers
People tell me I'm a good listener, but that's only good for half a conversation. I want to learn how to be a good talker. Where do I begin?
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posted by archagon
on May 31, 2010 -
8 answers
Jury deliberation was utterly exhilarating. Help me find more situations like this.
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posted by zeek321
on May 7, 2010 -
25 answers
This is an update correlating to a previous post about my social problems and lack of interests in life. I moved to a new location in an attempt at clarity and change, and to some extent have gained some, but I still have a question. THIS IS A VERY VERY LONG POST, like 25+ paragraphs long, so thanks out to those who take time to read it.
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posted by formaltide
on Feb 22, 2010 -
29 answers
I need help talking to doctors. I never know what to say and don't seem to give the right information. I would like help knowing what kinds of things I should remember to say and how I should say them.
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posted by French Fry
on Nov 6, 2009 -
10 answers
Is it possible to help someone become a better communicator/conversationalist without offending him?
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posted by emilyd22222
on Jul 28, 2009 -
22 answers
GrossFilter: Sometimes when I talk for long periods or get really mad, I get this buildup around my lips and eyes.. which I discover afterwards and feel embarrassed that all that time I had shit growing on my face.
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posted by In Heaven
on Jul 18, 2009 -
4 answers
Am I giving my cat a complex? I call my cat a large variety of names, including but not limited to her original name. She is a little over 10 years old and I've been calling her nicknames for the past, oh, 9 years and 363 days and today it occurred to me that maybe she is completely confused when I talk to her.
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posted by banannafish
on Jun 9, 2009 -
40 answers
