Tag Archives: friendship

Girl Talk: When Does “Concerned” Become “Nosy”?

Jessica WakemanAugust 4, 2010 //

A few weeks ago, my boyfriend came home from hanging out with his male cousin with a startling report: the cousin had an ugly, yellowing bruise on his upper arm. The cousin also needed to buy a new cell phone because his had been smashed. We noticed his Facebook status had been updated over the weekend to say that he’d made his recent ex-girlfriend cry.

“What happened?!” I gasped. My boyfriend shrugged.

“What, you didn’t ask?” I sputtered. These two are as close as brothers. They’ll be best men at each other’s weddings. But he shrugged again and responded, “I didn’t want to be nosy.” Keep reading »

Dear Wendy: “My BFF Is In A Controlling Relationship”

Wendy AtterberryJuly 28, 2010 //

Wendy is on vacation, so we’ll be posting some of her more popular past Dear Wendy columns (that some of you may have missed!) to get you through the week.

A year ago my best friend “Erin” fell MAJORLY in love over a long distance relationship with someone in Europe and this summer she moved there to be with her girlfriend. The girlfriend is still in school in another country, though, so Erin lives in her girlfriend’s hometown and they’ve only seen each other on vacations. I’m happy Erin is happy, of course, but the stuff she tells me about how her girlfriend, whom I’ve never met, for the record, treats her frightens me. She’s apparently pretty jealous and gets upset when Erin hangs out with other lesbians. She also has access to Erin’s Facebook page and email account, which means she can read all her messages. I told Erin it sounds controlling, especially since I send her emails about stuff in my personal life that I don’t necessarily want her girlfriend to read. Erin got really defensive and insists the email-reading doesn’t bother her because she has nothing to hide. I said it bothered me, though, because she shouldn’t have someone snooping through her private emails. Erin got frustrated with me, said she’s got “bigger things to worry about,” and completely changed the subject. I’m worried because Erin moved to Europe to be closer to her girlfriend and now she’s a little bit isolated from her friends and family. If this girlfriend continues to do these weirdly controlling things, I’m afraid we’re not going to know or be able to do anything about it. What more can I do? What more can I say? — Hates Snooping

Keep reading »

He Said/She Said: Does It Matter What Outsiders Think Of Your Relationship?

Amelia McDonell-ParryJuly 26, 2010 //

On last night’s season premiere of “My Boys” — which I watched after back-to-back amazeballs episodes of “True Blood” and “Mad Men” — there was this interesting subplot about how much friends’ opinions matter when it comes to relationships. The character of Kenny is dating this chick Stephanie, and Kenny’s friend Mike is really disbelieving that their relationship is genuine and for real. The whole thing got me thinking a bit about whether or not it actually matters what your friends and family think about your significant other. Should Kenny and Stephanie be bothering to try and “prove” anything to Mike? For this edition of “He Said/She Said,” I’ve brought in my brother-from-another-mother, John DeVore, to share his male perspective on the matter. Check out his thoughts and mine, after the jump. Keep reading »

8 Tips For Getting Along With Your Ex When You Share Friends

Valerie DavidJuly 25, 2010 //

It’s only natural to date someone in your circle of friends. But what happens when the relationship ends? How do you handle the next pool party or skiing invitation from your buddies, when you know he’ll be there, too? Whether you part on decent terms or really really bad ones, it’s going to get awkward. If you want to keep your friends, however, you’ll need to figure out a way to get along with your ex. After the jump, eight tips for getting along with an ex in your circle of friends. Keep reading »

8 Women Talk About How They’ve Stayed Friends With Exes

Pam GaulinJuly 24, 2010 //

Sometimes you hear women talk about how and why they stay friends with their exes and wonder how they do it. For some of us that seems impossible. After the jump, eight women share their thoughts about how they are able to keep friendships with exes. Keep reading »

Dear Wendy Updates: “Needs New Friends” Responds

Wendy AtterberryJuly 23, 2010 //

It’s time again for “Dear Wendy Updates,” a feature where people I’ve given advice to in the past let us know whether they followed the advice and how they’re doing today. After the jump, we hear from “Needs New Friends,” who had lost friends in her breakup and didn’t know how to make new ones or transition well into her new single life. After the jump, find how how she’s doing now six months later. Keep reading »

Dear Wendy: “My IM Buddy Wants To Come Visit: Awkward!”

Wendy AtterberryJuly 22, 2010 //

I’m 26 and have been in a happy relationship with a wonderful guy for two years. Over the last year, I’ve found it helpful to supplement my Russian language courses with IM sessions on a reputable language exchange website. I chat with people of either gender, and my boyfriend is aware of this. One native speaker is particularly helpful and wants to improve his English, so we have been IM-ing twice a week for an hour over the last year. We discuss food, music, or movies, but we don’t flirt. In fact, until his recent separation with his wife, he’d often speak lovingly of her (as I do of my BF). Yesterday, he asked if we could grab coffee when he comes to town. I agreed, thinking that he was in town on business and coffee would just be a “since I’m already here” thing. Then I found out (after persistent questioning) that he’s coming to Toronto for a wedding, but is planning to fly to Calgary to meet me in person, before returning to France where he works. I know he’s not rich, and he doesn’t seem to be coming to Calgary for any other reason. I’m hard-pressed to believe that someone would go that far out of his way just for a short platonic meeting. What is he really expecting of me? Should I ask my boyfriend to join us? — Lost in Translation

Keep reading »

Girl Talk: Being A Bridesmaid Drained My Bank Account

Tamara LynchJuly 20, 2010 //

Megin and I first met as mid-level slaves to the fashion industry eight years ago. I recognized a kindred spirit the minute I caught her screaming harsh obscenities at her computer. We’ve been through boyfriend breakups, apartment break-ins, and career changes. So when she asked me to be a bridesmaid, I jumped at the chance to stand by her side and watch her start a new life with the man she loved. Of course I wanted to support her in any way possible on her big day; I just didn’t realize how much it would cost me! Keep reading »

The Girl Crush Defined

Lauren GoldJuly 19, 2010 //

There’s this thing called a girl crush, and we all have them. You don’t think you do? What about that girl in high school who had the best clothes? You always loved her fashion sense, and you occasionally go to her Facebook profile when a new album of hers pops up in your newsfeed. You long for her Chanel bag and adorable romper for a few minutes, and then you move on. That’s a girl crush! Or what about that friend of a friend who socializes in the same circle as you? Heads turn when she walks in the room, and you love that she speaks two languages fluently, just like you’ve always wanted to. That’s a girl crush, too. Sometimes, you can’t help but be attracted to qualities or characteristics in other women, whether they’re qualities you want or not. Keep reading »

Dear Wendy: “I Want To Skip My BFF’s Wedding”

Wendy AtterberryJuly 18, 2010 //

My best friend in the whole wide world has been away for about two years, and now she’s back and in love with a guy from her childhood and getting hitched. I barely know the guy, but I don’t have a good feeling about him, and worse, she “changes” for him. Meaning her values may have changed as a result of his influence. I’m uncomfortable with the whole thing because I feel like she’s rushing into it. She’s never lived with the guy, and they’ve only been dating long-distance for six months or so. I’m finding it difficult to be genuinely happy for her, and what’s worse, I feel super guilty about it. Correct that: I AM happy for her, but I still need some time to get used to the idea. But I don’t have time: the wedding is set for October, and she’s assuming I’ll be in it. Already, I feel overwhelmed. I thought the wedding would be at least a year away; in fact, she assured me it would. The fact that I just found out that the wedding going to be alcohol free is making things worse. Yikes. How am I going to get through it? Is there any way I can get out of it without destroying our friendship? Moreover, am I a bad friend for not acting thrilled about the whole thing and jumping in head first to support her? We’re like sisters, and now I just feel terrible. — Losing Sleep in LIC

Keep reading »

  1. < BACK
  2. 1
  3. ...
  4. 11
  5. 12
  6. 13
  7. 14
  8. 15
  9. 16
  10. ...
  11. NEXT >
  12. ...
  13. »