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How Not to Be A Jerk When…

We should all strive to be kind. But that can be hard. So let's start with not being jerks.

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Advice · Friendship

I’m Uncomfortable With Praise

23/01/2019 AshleyLeave a comment

This might be sort of a weird complaint but I often get comments from friends on social media to posts about my activities with my family or things I am doing with what I consider to be unsolicited praise of the “you’re the best mom” or “is there anything you can’t do” nature. I know… Continue reading I’m Uncomfortable With Praise

Essays

Holiday Round-Up

19/11/2018 AshleyLeave a comment

With US Thanksgiving coming up this week, and Christmas and New Year events following soon after, I thought I’ll pull together a compilation of some of the questions I’ve received and essays I’ve written to help you navigate times when you (or, let’s be real, your extended family) might be acting like a bit of… Continue reading Holiday Round-Up

Friendship

It’s Time to RSVP

16/11/2018 Ashley1 Comment

I’ve received questions about RSVPing before, but since we’re getting close to the winter holidays, when people will be hosting small gatherings (Thanksgiving with friends) and large gatherings (open house / cookie party / Christmas party), I wanted to take some time to revisit the concept. As a general rule: you should RSVP to things… Continue reading It’s Time to RSVP

Advice · Friendship

Someone Wants Some Free Babysitting

02/11/2018 AshleyLeave a comment

I’m hosting an open house for the holidays, and have invited my friends, as well as friends and families of my young child. Inevitably, that means some adults that I don’t know very well are invited, but I’m hoping to get to know them better. I’m also looking forward to hanging out with my friends… Continue reading Someone Wants Some Free Babysitting

Essays · Strangers

You Think You Deserve Special Treatment in a Shop

01/09/2018 Ashley1 Comment

Every once in awhile I observe an interaction in a shop or restaurant that bums me out. Sometimes it will stick with me, and those ones end up on this site. For example, the other day I was in a Cafe Nero coffee shop and witnessed this exchange: Barista: What would you like? Customer: I’d… Continue reading You Think You Deserve Special Treatment in a Shop

Essays · Family · Friendship

Staying With Friends on Holiday

07/08/2018 AshleyLeave a comment

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how to be a good host when guests stay with you in your home. Now it’s time for the flip side: how to be a good guest.* Planning Your Trip If you’re planning a trip to specifically visit certain people, or you’ve been invited by them, then… Continue reading Staying With Friends on Holiday

Essays · Friendship

It’s the 4th of July

04/07/201804/07/2018 AshleyLeave a comment

In the United States today, people are having backyard gatherings, grilling food, drinking beer. Or they’re going to parks and beaches. Tonight, many will watch — or even set off — fireworks (though hopefully they’ll follow my advice here). Ostensibly to celebrate the United States declaring independence from the the King of England. England …… Continue reading It’s the 4th of July

Essays · Strangers

Fighting Injustice

26/06/201826/06/2018 AshleyLeave a comment

The U.S. Supreme Court has somehow, despite all evidence to the contrary, proclaimed U.S. President* Trump’s Muslim ban constitutional. The U.S. Government is holding small children in cages after having ripped them from their parents — who are fleeing for their lives — and they have no plan for reunification. Meanwhile, high schoolers and younger… Continue reading Fighting Injustice

Essays · Family · Friendship

Hosting House Guests

22/06/2018 AshleyLeave a comment

Having house guests can be delightful — you get to see people you perhaps haven’t seen in awhile, they get to save on hotel costs. Everybody wins! … Usually. But it can also be stressful, as people are around each other nearly non-stop, routines are interrupted, and someone is inevitably in the shower for way… Continue reading Hosting House Guests

Asshole Hall of Fame

Inductees Fifty-Six and Fifty Seven: Jeff Sessions and ICE

15/06/2018 Ashley1 Comment

It’s been a few weeks since I last inducted someone to the Asshole Hall of Fame (hey Jeff Bezos, you just got what you wanted — no responsibility for the impact your company has on the city of Seattle! You continue to be an asshole!). So far, none of the assholes have redeemed themselves (in fact,… Continue reading Inductees Fifty-Six and Fifty Seven: Jeff Sessions and ICE

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