I’ve found that “Did you know” can be off-putting, no matter how relevant the factoid is. I prefer something like “I just learned the coolest thing the other day...” That seems to spring more from an enthusiasm for learning or the topic at hand rather than an attitude of “Allow me to impart of my wisdom.”

I freaking hate these exchanges because no one seems to get on the same page with the tone of the gifts. I did one at my work one year and I specifically asked the organizer “So, are these true white elephant gifts where we find the most terrible and weirdest thing we can? Or is it more like a gift exchange with…

I feel like this attitude of de-escalation should be taught and applied to more than just bar fights. Any sort of confrontation, argument, or disagreement can be quickly defused by not allowing the other person to escalate. If there’s a car accident, regardless of who’s at fault some people will instantly jump to…

My wife and I figured out a similar system for picking entertainment a few years ago. Most of our trouble was we didn’t want to pick something the other one wouldn’t want to or do but would be too polite to speak up (we were newlyweds living together for the first time). So I would pick three…

I used to have to attend networking events for my job. I’ve always been pretty good with people one on one, but groups like those at networking events, full of confident outgoing people, always put me off my game. I started seeing some of the same people over and over again at these events, so I decided to just…

I’m the kind of guy who saw all the crazy dash cam footage online and was convinced I should have one. Mostly I’m just a tech geek with poor impulse control. My friends and family have asked me about it, one person even going so far as to say “Are you planning on being a cop?” Mostly I just brush off the questions and…

I personally wouldn’t have a problem with a girl paying for things, but 1) I figure whoever planned and invited should be the one to pay and 2) I know myself well enough to realize that I would be thinking “Is this a test? Is she just offering to be polite? How many times should I say ‘I got it?’ If I let her pay will…

I actually use a variation of the “talking about their ex” thing when I interview people for a job at my company. “Tell me about the worst job you ever had.” The way a person reflects on negative experiences tells you a lot about them. If they blame their ex for everything it means they aren’t self-aware and possibly…

That sucks. The “romantic love” part of a relationship is AWESOME. Just remember that it’s also not everything. Too many people throw away potentially amazing, mature relationships because they’re chasing that giddy high of a new crush.

Sometimes, though, seeing something you want can blind you to the presence of the red flags. I think we’re all in agreement that we’re going to pursue people with traits we desire, but these things that might fly under the radar can be good to keep in the back of your mind in case they come up. More importantly,…

Sounds like the type of person you may not want to continue a friendship with. Chances are if she’s manipulating men like that she’s also manipulating you somehow.

Typical liberal. Just because she has a gun on the wall you want to demonize her and make her out to be some sort of baby-killer.

As with anything, there are degrees to this. My wife and her mother are extremely close, to the point where my wife didn’t even realize that she and her mom were on the phone literally 2-3 times per day. My biggest pet peeve was when she would come home after I did and be on the phone with her mom. Fine, whatever, she…

My wife once told me that the way I talked about my mother and sisters was a big plus for me. I didn’t really notice I was doing it, but she said I always spoke about them like I admired and respected them, which I do. Any man who denigrates the women in their life should be put under serious scrutiny before a woman…

That sounds like the premise to a Netflix Original Series.

YES x 1,000. I can support this 100% coming from a man’s perspective. Society has normalized the sexually-ravenous male stereotype to the point where some women don’t even recognize when it steps over the line. Here’s the rule I’ll be teaching my daughters: MEN as a whole will be whatever they are. YOUR DATE will be…

I think people are making the point that it’s not a universal red flag. I’ve been married for almost nine years now and my wife has only met a handful of my good friends from high school. It’s not because I’m antisocial or a sociopath, it’s because I’m not good at keeping in touch with people. I know pretty much all…

I can relate to being that type of personality. I’ve been described as an extremely outgoing person, but I’ve also recognized that in unfamiliar territory or situations where I don’t feel in control or “important” I kind of turn in on myself. I was never rude or antisocial, but my wife would tell me that I wasn’t…

Is carrying a pocket knife really that weird? I’ve carried a pocket knife every day for almost a decade and only recently have I started thinking that people might think it’s odd. I carry a knife because I use it all the time at work and there’s almost never a day that I don’t need my knife for something or other. I…

Seems like ghosting is just a product of the lies we tell ourselves. “The hard way would just be messy and difficult and neither of us wants that. This is easier, so it must be good.” We reach a comfortable conclusion and all analysis stops there. We fail to take the extra step beyond “This is easier” to complete the…