You've heard of the "compliment sandwich" — softening a critique by bookending it with praise. There's a 3-step method you might find more helpful when having a difficult conversation. It's similar ...

We have all been there. It is a busy Saturday, you are out running errands, and suddenly you turn a corner and come face to face with an old classmate from high school. You both smile, exchange ...

Compliments came up often, showing how a little kindness always makes for easy conversation. At the same time, many users emphasized timing: for instance, choosing between asking about past weekends ...