Like mildew, awkwardness tends to breed in enclosed spaces. Living or working in cramped quarters can create difficult situations for even the most socially adept of us. Today, we'll show you how to handle it.

Everyone has the occasional terrible, horrible, no good, very bad mood. Unfortunately, your mood doesn't necessarily cooperate with your career or social calendar, and one of the terrible secrets of being a grown-up is that you can't blow important people off without engendering their disdain and ultimately harming…

Usually at Social Minefield we discuss ways to interact with people, but today we'll be talking about how not to interact — specifically, how to get alone time when you need it. People who are introverted may find that they need regular bouts of solitude to recharge, but everybody needs a breather from company…

Clothes-shopping can be stressful for lots of reasons, not least the social: how do you turn down those $400 jeans the salesperson thinks look so great on you, or tell her you don't need any help without sounding like a jerk? Today we answer these and more questions about interacting with sales staff while attempting…

Especially if you've never been pregnant — but even if you have — interacting with a pregnant lady can be a big social minefield. You know there's some stuff pregnant women don't especially like (invasive questions, belly rubs from strangers), but how do you avoid that stuff and talk to moms-to-be in a polite and…

A breakup is obviously tough on the couple involved — but if you're friends with them, you face a social minefield of your own. Here's how to navigate it with a minimum of strife.

Starting around middle school, many of us learn that periods are awkward. They require special behaviors and products, some of which we need to perform or purchase in public, and yet we're supposed to keep them totally private. Also, there is blood everywhere. But never fear — we're here to help you negotiate your…

A summer jaunt with your friends can be a source of beautiful memories — or an expensive deathmarch of awkwardness and acrimony. Here's how to make sure it's the former.

Summer is often a time when out-of-town friends come to stay in your house. This can be a lot of fun, but it can also be stressful and difficult — you've got people in your space, and you have to find ways of entertaining them. Fortunately, we have tips to make any visit fun and hassle-free.

Hosting a party can be a stressful undertaking. Will people come? Will they have fun? Is vomit bad for houseplants? We answer all these questions and more.

With Bridesmaids in theaters, it seemed like a good time to address an issue many of you have asked about: how to deal with being a bridesmaid. Below, tips on dress drama, money issues, and much more.

Sometimes, you really want to set your single friends up with each other. But how to do it in a way that's not awkward? And what if it backfires? Today, we answer these questions and more.

Saying "thank you" may seem simple, but giving really heartfelt thanks can be complicated. Should you call or write? What should you say in a thank-you note? How can you show how much someone's help meant to you? Today we answer these questions and more.

One of the toughest things about forming new friendships is making friendly overtures without having them mistaken for overtures of another kind. Making it clear that things are platonic can be awkward — but it doesn't have to be. You can, in fact, make new friends without making out.

Meeting your ex's new partner — or, for that matter, your new partner's ex — can be an incredibly stressful experience. But a few simple tips will help you stay cool and keep your dignity.

Look, we all know the phone is scary. But sometimes you can't avoid it. Herewith, a few tips for making calls without sounding like a weirdo.

Money can be an uncomfortable topic, especially among friends. But as tax day approaches, we have some tips for talking about it with your peers without rocking the boat.

Meeting your partner's parents for the first time is notoriously stressful. But if you keep a few tips in mind, your first encounter can be less like a crappy Ben Stiller movie, and more like the start of a good relationship.

Neighbors are like roommates you only see every once in a while, and don't have to share a bathroom with. But even the occasional encounter with someone who kind of shares your living space can bring up challenges — and our tips will help you deal with them.

For the novice, gyms can be a little scary. They're full of machines, and people watching you, and it can feel like every second you're doing something wrong. And even if you're an experienced gym rat, a new facility or routine can present some social challenges. Luckily, we're here to help.