Dear Captain, I looked through the archives and I couldn't see anything on this particular topic, but apologies if I missed something. It does seem connected to the Geek Social Fallacies though. My question is about how to deal with awkwardness and anxieties over the dreaded Group Chat. I have a group of friends who … Continue reading #1251: “My friends are mad because I don’t like talking in the dreaded Group Chat from WhatsApp Hell.”
Category: communications
#1250: How do I support my (very-recently) ex-partner through his complex grief?
Content note: Mention of suicide Dear Captain Awkward 2 weeks ago my boyfriend (he/him/his) of 2 years made the decision to break up with me (cis/female). I moved out of our shared house and back with my parents and sister. I did not want the relationship to end and I hoped we could have worked … Continue reading #1250: How do I support my (very-recently) ex-partner through his complex grief?
#1248: “How to set boundaries with someone who just doesn’t listen to me?”
This is another one in a series about difficult parent relationships: A dad who wants to talk on the phone for hours about only the things he wants to talk about and who reminds his daughter, when she tries to set boundaries, that he has nobody else to talk to. It's about guilt and about … Continue reading #1248: “How to set boundaries with someone who just doesn’t listen to me?”
#1240 and #1241: “Closure” Is The Gift You Give Yourself
Y'all I have another Vice piece dropping soon and I have to confess I am HOLIDAYED TF OUT RIGHT NOW. Let's talk endings. Breakups. My wheelhouse. We'll call the first one #1240: "How do I approach a friend who doesn't want to talk to me anymore?" Hey Captain Awkward, Here is my dilemma: I am … Continue reading #1240 and #1241: “Closure” Is The Gift You Give Yourself
It Came From The Search Terms: Cold November Wind
It's time for the monthly feature where I answer the things people typed into their search engine before they wound up here as if they are questions. These come in completely anonymously and context-free. A few links before we get started: Dear Mantis on Twitter: Great advice column or GREATEST ADVICE COLUMN? Our beloved Goat … Continue reading It Came From The Search Terms: Cold November Wind
#1227: “Cool New Friend spooked by ~romantic feelings~ I don’t actually have”
Hi Captain Awkward – TL;DR: one of my partner’s friends became my Cool New Friend, right up until he abruptly pulled back and implied I had romantic feelings for him. I do not. He seems to want to keep hanging out (??!) and I don’t want to make it awkward but this really upset me … Continue reading #1227: “Cool New Friend spooked by ~romantic feelings~ I don’t actually have”
September 2019 Short Question Grab Bag: Part 2
Hello again! Patrons have sent short questions. I have attempted to answer them. Installment 1 is here. This round: How do I deal with my mom's anxiety about my life, how do I tell a roommate that their helpfulness is not actually helpful, how do I preserve a friendship over distance, how do I build a … Continue reading September 2019 Short Question Grab Bag: Part 2
September 2019 Short Questions: Part 1
Patrons of the blog have sent in short questions. Surprising nobody, I have written answers between "medium" and "epic." This is Part 1 of 2, the rest will come later in the week. In this batch: A friend is ghosting me to my face at work, I want to reconnect with a friend I accidentally … Continue reading September 2019 Short Questions: Part 1
#1225: “My boyfriend is very reactive to conversations about feelings.”
Hello, I've (she/her) been dating my boyfriend (he/him) for one year now, we are both in our late 20s and sadly both still living with our families due to student debt. For context, we also both have anxiety and he struggles with depression. It can be very difficult for me to bring up any issues … Continue reading #1225: “My boyfriend is very reactive to conversations about feelings.”
#1224: “When someone wants to be friends but shoots down all small talk attempts.”
Hi Captain! As I've tried to make better friends with her, I've realized that my roommate's GF is a very negative person. Several times in a conversation, small talk will be shut down with very honest but also very negative responses that make it hard to move the conversation forward. Some examples: Me: I heard … Continue reading #1224: “When someone wants to be friends but shoots down all small talk attempts.”
