Sending a gift to someone in another culture takes some extra consideration; you want to pay attention to any cultural disconnects, taboos, or expectations. But it’s also an opportunity to blow someone away without spending a ton of money.

Cross-cultural business consultant Dean Foster gives advice for giving fantastic gifts internationally in a Medium post; we talked to him about some more dos and don’ts.

All parties have their awkward moments, but navigating yourself in a room of co-workers with an open bar feels especially high-stakes. Here are some tips for how to talk to everyone from your boss to your intern so that you can return to work on Monday morning, head held high.

Secret Santa gift exchanges are a good way to cut down your family’s excess holiday spending, and also, in theory, a pleasant, festive way to get to know your coworkers better. If you’re not especially well-acquainted with your chosen gift-ee, however, they can also be stressful as hell!

I have a several very good friends who speak very loudly in public. I am also, to some people, a very good friend who speaks very loudly in public. Both these facts occasionally lend themselves to some awkward situations. I have been on several modes of public transportation with a friend who is screaming about her latest sexual conquest, and I have had to ask her to pipe down for the sake of the mothers shielding their children from us.

I have also been that friend, and I appreciate how embarrassing it is to be shushed in the midst of your passionate defence of The Last Jedi.

Talking to strangers in a crowded room where everyone wants something from each other is a true nightmare, and at times it’s the most direct path to career development. But there is another way to network—from behind a computer screen.

Nathan W. Pyle, the guy behind the famous NYC etiquette cartoons, has a tip for all of you, if you’ll shut up for just one goddamn second. That’s the tip, actually: when someone says something, and now it’s your turn to talk, and you’re ready to respond emotionally and escalate the conversation, maybe hold your big mouth shut for just one little moment. Can you do that? Here’s Nathan’s multi-part Instagram post, if you can be bothered to click through and pay attention to someone else for once.

It might feel like there aren't any rules out in the great outdoors, but there are certainly guidelines you should follow. Whether you're new to hiking or always been confused about the dos and don'ts of the trail, this guide will clear things up.

Whether it's a former roommate, an ex-partner, a friend, or some random partygoer whose name you've forgotten, someone is going to leave stuff at your home at some point. But hold on there, pal, that property isn't automatically yours now. Here's what you should do with it, according to common law.

If you feel awkward using gender-neutral pronouns - or avoid them because you don't know how to use them correctly - it's time to get up to speed. Language tends to shift towards inclusivity, and gender-neutral pronouns are becoming more widely used, so get in the habit now before you become one of those people who's communicating with outdated language.

Working from home is an extremely sweet gig. I don't have to wear real clothing, I alone control the thermostat, and my only physically present coworker is a geriatric spaniel. But a lack of human contact can make one a little weird, so I try to get out and be among the people at least once a day. Most people accomplish this by heading to their nearest cafe; I prefer the bar.

Making plans with your friends, loved ones, and romantic partners should be a straightforward process, maybe even an enjoyable one. And yet, so many people are absolutely god awful it, muddying the waters with dithering, failure to grasp or account for basic details, poor communication skills, and sheer laziness.

In work and in life, I love a script. If a repetitive type of interaction is part of your life — making a certain kind of small talk, having to send the same type of email with some frequency, making daily phone calls to clients or vendors or sources — why bother wasting mental energy coming up with fresh material every time, when you have a go-to line that you know does the trick to, say, get a long-winded person off the phone? Or effectively explain to people at a party exactly what it is that you do?

We all want to be memorable or, if not memorable, at least not completely forgettable. This is why, when directed at someone you’ve already met, a simple, cheery “Nice to meet you!” or “Hi, I’m Claire!” (use your own name) can be devastating (or at least kind of a bummer).

In an ideal world, maybe you'd love to spend a large portion of your free time attending the weddings, birthdays and other life cycle events of your nearest and dearest. But life, work, and geographical boundaries often get in the way, making it a tricky a proposition to attend every single milestone event for every single close friend and family member.

Maybe I have face blindness. Maybe I'm just a dick. But I frequently run into acquaintances and can't remember their names. If I'm with my wife, she knows what to do: she immediately introduces herself, so they can say their name back. I might look slightly rude for not jumping to it, but at least my secret's safe. And I know I'm not the only one who needs this help.

As a cosplayer, I'm always hearing people complain that they were called a creep, simply for complimenting a cosplayer they liked, or talking to a fellow convention-goer. But regardless of intent, if you're being called creepy it's likely you did something that the other person found creepy.

Workplaces are funny little ecosystems. You spend all your time working and developing complex relationships with everyone from the security guard to your shared desk mate, but occasionally, these fragile work friendships can go south.

One of the most exciting notifications you can get on your phone is a new message from your crush/current bae. One of the most anxious feelings is waiting for that notification to come in. What if we just eliminated texting in relationships all together?

Kids are naturally curious — this is a wonderful thing. But they also haven’t mastered social cues. This can make parents uncomfortable.