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Interpersonal Skills

Beta Q&A site for the life skills we use every day to communicate and interact with other people.

5
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2
answers

Which of the following two types of interpersonal skills is this for?

jun 20 '17 at 14:28 Joe S 251
-5
votes
1
answer

Are questions asking for references allowed?

jun 17 '17 at 5:57 John 286
-8
votes
2
answers

Rename to “Social Skills”?

may 5 '17 at 3:08 Robert Cartaino 473
13
votes
2
answers

Would questions about social media be on topic?

apr 21 '17 at 17:27 Ravenstine 2,026
6
votes
1
answer

How do we guarantee the factual element for Interpersonal Skills site?

apr 21 '17 at 17:20 Ravenstine 2,026

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discuss this proposal

This proposal is now in the Beta phase — example questions are locked!

69 Example Questions (3 closed)

active newest votes
up vote 21 down vote
How to say no without supplying an excuse or being seen as rude
added by Issa Chanzi Nov 19 '15 at 23:38
link
up vote 15 down vote
My parent treats me like a child, how can I convince them I am an adult now?
added by James Jenkins Nov 20 '15 at 8:59
link
up vote 13 down vote
If someone offers me gum, how can I clarify if there is a hidden message?
added by James Jenkins Nov 19 '15 at 14:55
link
4  
I must be missing something with this question... – pacoverflow Jul 31 '16 at 6:42
Gum can cover the odor or d of bad breath. – James Jenkins Aug 1 '16 at 9:14
1  
so you might want to rewrite it to something like "how to know if it means that I have bad breath?" – Ooker Oct 25 '16 at 6:05
up vote 11 down vote
How do I critique someone's work without sounding critical?
added by NJP Nov 20 '15 at 2:20
link
1  
I like to point out a strength and a weakness at the same time... Or "hesitantly" suggest an improvement, so it sounds like I'm not sure it's a good idea, but I most certainly am. If they don't take the advice... Meh? – Robert Dunn Jan 28 '16 at 21:24
This question can alreay be asked on workplace SE. Example : workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/154/… – Mr Yolo May 31 '16 at 11:39
up vote 11 down vote
How to accept praise gracefully?
added by Tommi Brander Nov 26 '15 at 8:11
link
up vote 11 down vote
What tactics can one use to be more aware of what they are communicating nonverbally (that they might not have intended)?
added by Dan Getz Jan 29 '16 at 16:47
link
up vote 10 down vote
Will interacting on an electronic forum, tend to improve or deteriorate my real life interpersonal skills?
added by James Jenkins Nov 19 '15 at 14:52
link
1  
Sounds speculative to me – jonallard Jun 7 '16 at 4:07
This sounds like a meta question... – leeand00 Jun 25 '16 at 0:55
1  
@leeand00 only if it is specific to this site, which it is not. – James Jenkins Jun 25 '16 at 9:36
up vote 10 down vote
How can I feel comfortable walking into a store to ask for a job
added by Issa Chanzi Nov 19 '15 at 23:33
link
7  
This might be better suited for Workplace. – Ravenstine Nov 20 '15 at 3:14
This is directly about the social interaction of seeking employment. It might be on topic for workplace, but it would be better here. – Issa Chanzi Sep 30 '16 at 13:05
Such a question should be more tightly focused on specific interactions which cause the OP anxiety. – curiousdannii Oct 20 '16 at 4:21
up vote 10 down vote
How can I tell my neighbor to not park his car part-way into my parking space without scolding him?
added by NJP Nov 20 '15 at 2:12
link
up vote 10 down vote
Now that I am retired, my adult children are starting to treat me like a child, how can modify their behavior without offending them?
added by James Jenkins Nov 21 '15 at 10:49
link
Questions about relations between parents and their adult children are already accepted on Parenting SE. – Mr Yolo May 31 '16 at 11:42
up vote 10 down vote
How to react when you are offering to help but it is treated as patronizing?
added by Tommi Brander Nov 30 '15 at 13:48
link
up vote 10 down vote
How to remind to a friend a financial debt politely?
added by Probably Dec 22 '15 at 20:50
link
1  
While this question would need to fleshed out more on the actual site, this would be a good question. – James Jenkins Jan 7 '16 at 11:18
Doesn't it depend on culture? – wauhere Jan 25 '16 at 2:52
up vote 10 down vote
Improving social interactions, when not used to talk much or have many friends nor attend social contexts?
added by Zorgatone Dec 27 '15 at 0:05
link
up vote 10 down vote
Is there a way to tell whether a person is being sarcastic or not?
added by Dawny33 Jan 10 '16 at 4:07
link
1  
Seems too broad. – Casebash Apr 15 '16 at 4:27
4  
I disaggree about beeing too broad, since it is a simple yes no answer and not asking for HOW TO. – Zaibis Apr 23 '16 at 9:27
1  
@Zaibis There ya go! Last reopen vote :) – Zizouz212 Oct 31 '16 at 2:35
up vote 10 down vote
I took over some of my colleague's duties so she could take care of her sick child. Should I ask how her child is doing when I honestly don't care?
added by gerrit Jan 21 '16 at 15:40
link
1  
This question probably belongs on Workplace SE. – user3169 Jan 23 '16 at 3:30
2  
Actually, I'd think this question would be okay here, since the work part is really only a pretext for the actual question. Though, in reality, I think it'd be fine for either SE. – Ravenstine Jan 27 '16 at 22:45
up vote 10 down vote
How to encourage someone to do better, who feels that criticism must be fought?
added by Dan Getz Jan 29 '16 at 16:33
link
Adding a real-world example would make the question easier to understand. – Nicolas Raoul Jun 23 '16 at 7:11
up vote 10 down vote
When you disagree with someone's praise of you, how to determine if it's better to correct them or not?
added by Dan Getz Jan 29 '16 at 16:42
link
up vote 10 down vote
Are there non-patronizing ways to encourage an adult to improve their self-control?
added by Dan Getz Jan 29 '16 at 16:51
link
Or self-discipline? – ahorn Nov 6 '16 at 13:06
up vote 10 down vote
Can you learn how to flirt, or is that an inate ability?
added by John Slegers Mar 4 '16 at 21:00
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Or, "How does one flirt?" PS it's "innate". – ahorn Nov 6 '16 at 13:02
up vote 10 down vote
How can I say I don't like a gift without sounding disrespectful and/or ungrateful?
added by John Slegers Mar 4 '16 at 21:01
link
up vote 10 down vote
If I visit <India> in a business context, which differences in social customs should I keep in mind when meeting people?
added by John Slegers, edited by warren Apr 26 '16 at 16:20
link
3  
Sounds like a question for Travel SE. – Mr Yolo May 31 '16 at 11:45
up vote 10 down vote
How can I get an adult to chew with their mouth closed without offending them?
added by Parthian Shot Mar 14 '16 at 19:36
link
up vote 10 down vote
How to refuse someone's help politely?
added by Probably Apr 3 '16 at 16:12
link
up vote 10 down vote
How to say you already want to leave a party (you're just bored) decently?
added by Probably Apr 15 '16 at 19:37
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I don't understand why "already" is in that sentence. – ahorn Nov 6 '16 at 12:57
I'm trying to epress the situation when you have been on the party for a while but you want to go even it hasn't ended yet. – Probably Nov 6 '16 at 13:12
up vote 10 down vote
What is the best way to help a shy friend who has expressed an interest in becoming more extroverted?
added by Pablo May 17 '16 at 5:56
link
up vote 10 down vote
How to tell someone they need the help of a mental health professional?
added by Jodes May 30 '16 at 21:03
link
up vote 10 down vote
How to avoid having to kiss people on the cheeks ?
added by Mr Yolo Jun 1 '16 at 14:40
link
1  
Clarifications : I'm a French female, living and working in France. The social norm here for me is to do the "bise" (kissing people on the cheeks) every morning to each of my coworkers. I dislike touching people and would like to find a way to avoid it without being rude. – Mr Yolo Jun 1 '16 at 14:45
I hate those kisses, too. – Ada Lovelace Nov 15 '16 at 16:48
up vote 9 down vote
How can you motivate someone with an unskilled, low paid job to seek a better career without offending them?
added by Issa Chanzi Nov 24 '15 at 1:09
link
1  
This question assumes that the other person's value system is out of sync with their circumstances. That's not necessarily the case. Questions of this type should include information on how that assumption was tested. – Lawrence Aug 13 '16 at 12:01
up vote 9 down vote
How should I let my crush know my feelings for her?
added by Daniel Nov 28 '15 at 18:20
link
4  
Isn't this very, very vague? I mean even with details, it is hugely opinion based... Not that I would not like to know the answer :) Also, there has been a Relationships & Dating site here that has been sadly closed down, would not that have been a better place for this? – sfThomas Jan 28 '16 at 20:23
Perhaps, but this site could also encompass this question, seeing as how this is an interpersonal communication. – Daniel Jan 28 '16 at 22:10
2  
Space is limited on Area51, but on the real site the actual question body would contain much more details about the current relationship, the culture and gender of both, etc – Nicolas Raoul Jun 24 '16 at 3:35
up vote 9 down vote
When missionaries knock on my door, offering unsolicited religious teachings, how should I discourage them?
added by James Jenkins Nov 30 '15 at 11:22
link
The basic premise of this question is fine, but you might expand it to include any unsolicited door knockers, and ask how to interact with (rather than discourage) them. Discourage alone is easy, just don't answer the door. But perhaps there is another reason for being uncomfortable. – user3169 Feb 12 '16 at 4:41
3  
@user3169 "how to interact with" would sound too broad and opinion-based to me, because that's more like "what should I do, in general" instead of "what should I do, to accomplish this goal". Also, missionaries might or might not have different goals and motivations than other door knockers. – Dan Getz Feb 13 '16 at 12:34
@Dan Getz I think all "door knockers" are trying to sell you something, in a situation you did not initiate and have limited means to avoid. In my case there is little difference how I deal with them. – user3169 Feb 13 '16 at 19:30
2  
Missionaries are distinct from salespeople. Both can be handled in different ways. – Casebash Apr 17 '16 at 8:30
up vote 9 down vote
How do I ask the type/style of sex my partner would prefer, without coming off as strange or desperate?
added by Dawny33 Jan 8 '16 at 22:01
link
This question should be reworded to indicate a "relationship" issue. As written, the topic appears to be the "type/style of sex". As written it is off topic. – user3169 Jan 23 '16 at 4:06
7  
@user3169 I don't see why this looked like an off-topic question to you. Many people have this doubt during the initial stages of relationship, so it's pretty much an "interpersonal issue"! – Dawny33 Jan 23 '16 at 4:33
up vote 9 down vote
How to avoid people without seeming rude?
added by Jodes May 30 '16 at 21:00
link
up vote 9 down vote
How to small talk with someone I know nothing about?
added by Mr Yolo Jun 1 '16 at 15:32
link
up vote 9 down vote
What steps can one take to defuse a family dispute in its early stages?
added by Mr Yolo Jun 7 '16 at 10:29
link
up vote 7 down vote
How to react on an excuse, while accepting it, not wanting to turn it down as no excuse required (what i.e. "no problem" would do)?
added by Zaibis Apr 23 '16 at 9:21
link
up vote 7 down vote
How can you get back in touch with old (close) friends you have not talked to for years, without feeling uncomfortable?
added by Noemi Aug 18 '16 at 9:28
link
up vote 6 down vote
Introverts - how to say No to a party invitation without feeling guilty?
added by sfThomas Jan 28 '16 at 20:25
link
up vote 6 down vote
On each family gathering everyone gives presents to everyone else. This has become a bother for most of the people, how to stop it?
added by sfThomas Jan 28 '16 at 20:54
link
up vote 6 down vote
How to respond to a positive personal remark from a customer when you don't want to?
added by Jodes May 30 '16 at 20:59
link
up vote 5 down vote
Is it possible to ask questions to a colleague about their religious practices without being rude on intrusive?
added by Mr Yolo Jun 7 '16 at 7:36
link
1  
Note : Several of my coworkers are observing Ramadan. I know one of them sometimes drink alcohol and anoter one have no problem eating pork. I also have a couple of christian coworkers. As an atheist raised in religiousless familly Im courious about those differences in pactices and religion interpretations. I'd like to ask them a few questions, but don't want to offend or annoy anyone. – Mr Yolo Jun 7 '16 at 7:47
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