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Sorrowfully, I have not hit it off with my roommates. They are being horrible to me and pushing me to leave. There has been some strong arming to make this early as possible, and I expect more to come. This rental company is not the easiest or most ethical either, so it hasn't been straightforward to get my money back (my deposit). I have nowhere to go, and this has made staying in my space an anxious proposition. I expect harrassment - legal harrassment is a possibility too. Despite this, I have done nothing wrong, and want to make the best of my space. It's one that's paid for for another three weeks, and that many people would benefit from. How can I turn this bad situation into something good? [more inside]
posted by karmachameleon at 7:17 PM - 7 answers

Some time ago, someone on the blue wrote a perfect little explanation of what punching up and punching down are, and now that I need to explain it to someone I can't find it. Thought I had favorited it, but it wasn't there. Could someone point me to a good explanation, particularly in regards to humor?
posted by Soliloquy at 12:11 AM - 2 answers

My best friend, with whom I trust my life, is pansexual. This past week, he confessed his love for me. And my parents are completely against it, him, and the idea of us being together. [more inside]
posted by Socolime at 10:47 PM - 23 answers

My mother is going to try to catch my father in the midst of an affair. Should I accompany her for support? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 8:35 PM - 32 answers

I have an email I need to send to a Sri Lankan business associate--what's appropriate to say after today's tragedy? [more inside]
posted by Jon44 at 11:02 AM - 6 answers

How do I tell someone that I'd like to connect with her, but need to wait until after my divorce? (Plot twists: social anxiety, friend-of-a-friend communication.) [more inside]
posted by NumberSix at 12:44 PM - 26 answers

A friend who espouses a “firstborn psychology” claims that 75% of the world’s population are firstborns and their negative personality traits have a major detrimental impact on society. I can find nothing to corroborate this. Are there such statistics on birth order? (As a firstborn who doesn’t fit the profile, I’m considered an anomaly, he says.) I’d appreciate anyone’s input on the subject before I attempt to refute his theory.
posted by seekingsethplate at 10:18 AM - 17 answers

I'm looking for suggestions on how to navigate going to a wedding where I'll have to interact with ex-friends. [more inside]
posted by deus ex machina at 8:54 AM - 18 answers

My autistic cousin's landlord is nice, but really annoying and nosy. What excuse can we give him as to why my cousin needs to the room nearest the bathroom? [more inside]
posted by fantasticness at 7:46 AM - 16 answers

I'm curious how people apologize, and I'm wondering, am I doing it wrong? [more inside]
posted by Toddles at 11:38 PM - 37 answers

I ended a relationship with my partner two times. Both times it was because I felt a general disconnect, didn’t feel heard or understood (a good part of the time) and issues within our dynamic that, at the time, felt unfixable. [more inside]
posted by ygmiaa at 10:06 PM - 19 answers

My boyfriend is still pretending to be happily married to his lesbian wife. How do I move forward without losing my mind? [more inside]
posted by teststrip at 7:52 AM - 58 answers

I am marrying my beloved. I have chosen not to invite my family as they are against my same-sex marriage. [more inside]
posted by dwbrant at 12:12 PM - 10 answers

I haven't really had a boyfriend in over a decade, what is normal with texting? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 1:27 AM - 34 answers

I can't believe I'm asking this question at my age, but it's something I have had a really hard time with. How can I get over the paralysis that comes over me when I really like someone? It's interfering with my life, and I would like to overcome this. [more inside]
posted by christiehawk at 12:08 AM - 6 answers

After telling my feelings to and being rejected by a crush / friend at the end of last year, I'm having trouble moving on from the situation while still seeing him every week. Looking for perspectives/wisdom. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Eleutheramina at 10:31 PM - 19 answers

Have you ever, as an adult, dedicated a period of time to selfishness/understanding what you enjoy for your own sake/having fun for fun's sake? What was it like? What parameters did you keep in mind? [more inside]
posted by elephantsvanish at 12:05 PM - 12 answers

I recently was in a complicated brief relationship with someone who had just gotten out of a long-term relationship with someone who cheated on him. Despite red flags, he said he was over it and I liked his company, was very attracted to him, and he was fun to be around. We were a similar space in life too, both not in University (I had just had to drop out due to serious sickness I contracted on a trip which got better in the following weeks). [more inside]
posted by oracleia at 11:22 AM - 12 answers

I'd like to hear accounts of being overweight, then not [more inside]
posted by Sterros at 4:54 PM - 30 answers

I made a bet for a quarter (of a dollar) which I now, for purposes of wit and flirtation, need more options for 1/4 of...something. [more inside]
posted by zinful at 2:28 PM - 23 answers