Too many people are left wandering through Reddit threads and Quora posts, looking for advice on what to say. Communication is tricky. We all bring our own biases, emotions, and histories to the table.
This site will help you navigate those tricky subjects, allowing you to build healthier and happier relationships.
Talking Points for Life is a library of ready-to-use messages for challenging social situations e.g., How to respond to nosy or inappropriate questions
- Not sure how to tell your best friend she’s not your Maid of Honor? Check out How to tell someone they will not be your Bridesmaid
- Need to draw a boundary? We’ve got you covered: How to set boundaries
- Want to give sympathy to someone who lost a parent? Here’s a good place to start: How to offer comfort/give sympathy
You’re welcome to use these talking points as written or adapt them to your style and voice — whatever works best for you.
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The Whole Catalog
Checklist: Before you hit send
Confront/DefendGive FeedbackConfessExpressMisc
General
How to answer a question you don't know the answer to / How to say you don’t know
How to answer a question you don't know the answer to / How to say you don’t know
Answer
General
How to answer a question you will never know the answer to
How to answer a question you will never know the answer to
Answer
General
How to apologize for a damaged product
How to apologize for a damaged product
Apologize
Customer/Client
How to apologize for a delayed reply
How to apologize for a delayed reply
Apologize
BossPotential Customer/ClientCustomer/ClientEmployee
How to apologize for something outside of your control
How to apologize for something outside of your control
Apologize
Customer/Client
How to apologize for the delayed return of a borrowed item
How to apologize for the delayed return of a borrowed item
Apologize
General
How to apologize for the inability to do something 
How to apologize for the inability to do something
Apologize
General
How to ask for participation in a survey
How to ask for participation in a survey
Request
EmployeeCustomer/Client
How to ask for the return of an object (intentionally taken)
How to ask for the return of an object (intentionally taken)
RequestConfront/Defend
General
How to ask for the return of an object (loaned)
How to ask for the return of an object (loaned)
RequestConfront/Defend
General
How to ask someone about suspicious behavior without accusing them of it
How to ask someone about suspicious behavior without accusing them of it
Confront/Defend
General
How to ask someone to stop talking about politics or religion around you 
How to ask someone to stop talking about politics or religion around you
RequestConfront/Defend
GeneralLoved One
How to ask your partner for couple's therapy
How to ask your partner for couple's therapy
RequestConfront/Defend
Partner/Spouse
How to break up with someone
How to break up with someone
ConfessConfront/DefendDecline
DatePartner/Spouse
How to call someone out respectfully
How to call someone out respectfully
InformConfront/DefendGive Feedback
General
How to comfort a friend going through a divorce
How to comfort a friend going through a divorce
Comfort
Loved OneFriend
How to congratulate an employee on an award
How to congratulate an employee on an award
PraiseCongratulate
Employee
How to congratulate someone on a big achievement
How to congratulate someone on a big achievement
CongratulatePraise
How to congratulate someone on a marriage
How to congratulate someone on a marriage
Congratulate
General
How to congratulate someone on a new baby
How to congratulate someone on a new baby
Congratulate
General
How to congratulate someone on a new job
How to congratulate someone on a new job
PraiseCongratulate
General
How to congratulate someone on a promotion
How to congratulate someone on a promotion
CongratulatePraise
General
How to congratulate someone on a wedding anniversary
How to congratulate someone on a wedding anniversary
Congratulate
GeneralLoved One
How to congratulate someone on graduating
How to congratulate someone on graduating
PraiseCongratulate
General
How to congratulate someone on successfully paying off a loan
How to congratulate someone on successfully paying off a loan
CongratulatePraise
General
How to disagree (respectfully) with your boss's feedback
How to disagree (respectfully) with your boss's feedback
Confront/Defend
Boss
How to encourage someone to answer your question instead of saying, “I don’t know” 
How to encourage someone to answer your question instead of saying, “I don’t know”
ConfessConfront/Defend
General
How to find anything you need in a library
How to find anything you need in a library
LearnMiscEditor's Note
General
How to follow up with a customer who gave you a low survey score or bad review
How to follow up with a customer who gave you a low survey score or bad review
ApologizeThank
Customer/Client
How to give someone a backhanded compliment
How to give someone a backhanded compliment
Confront/DefendLaugh
Nemesis
How to give sympathy for a lost opportunity or job
How to give sympathy for a lost opportunity or job
ComfortEncourage
General
How to give sympathy for the illness of a loved one
How to give sympathy for the illness of a loved one
Comfort
General
How to give sympathy for the loss of a child
How to give sympathy for the loss of a child
Comfort
General
How to give sympathy for the loss of a loved one
How to give sympathy for the loss of a loved one
Comfort
General
How to give sympathy for the loss of a parent
How to give sympathy for the loss of a parent
Comfort
General
How to give sympathy for the loss of a partner
How to give sympathy for the loss of a partner
Comfort
General
How to make someone feel awkward about religion
How to make someone feel awkward about religion
Laugh
General
How to praise an employee for excellent work
How to praise an employee for excellent work
Give FeedbackEncouragePraise
Employee
How to recommend someone you don't like or respect
How to recommend someone you don't like or respect
Laugh
ColleagueGeneral
How to redirect the conversation (bridging)
Confront/Defend
General
How to reject a customer’s feature request
How to reject a customer’s feature request
Decline
Customer/Client
How to respond to nosy or inappropriate questions
How to respond to nosy or inappropriate questions
Confront/DefendDeclineRespond
General
How to respond when you think someone is overreacting 
How to respond when you think someone is overreacting
Confront/DefendComfortRespond
NemesisGeneral
How to say you’re not ready to move forward after an apology
How to say you’re not ready to move forward after an apology
InformRespond
General
How to set boundaries with a partner
How to set boundaries with a partner
Confront/Defend
Partner/SpouseDate
How to talk to an angry customer or client
How to talk to an angry customer or client
Apologize
Customer/Client
How to tell someone they will not be your Bridesmaid, Groomsman, Maid of Honor or Best Man
How to tell someone they will not be your Bridesmaid, Groomsman, Maid of Honor or Best Man
InformConfront/Defend
How to tell someone you are angry
How to tell someone you are angry
Confront/Defend
GeneralPartner/SpouseFriendLoved One
How to thank someone for a gift
How to thank someone for a gift
Confront/Defend
GeneralLoved OneFriendPartner/Spouse
How to thank someone for a recommendation 
How to thank someone for a recommendation
Thank
GeneralBossPotential Customer/ClientFriendCustomer/ClientColleague
How to thank someone for a service or kindness
How to thank someone for a service or kindness
Thank
General
How to thank someone for their time
How to thank someone for their time
Thank
GeneralPotential EmployerBossColleaguePotential Customer/ClientCustomer/ClientEmployee
How to thank your customer or client for their business
How to thank your customer or client for their business
Thank
Customer/Client
How to turn down a request to do free work
How to turn down a request to do free work
DeclineThank
FriendGeneral
Official Guide for Fighting with Your Partner
Official Guide for Fighting with Your Partner
Confront/DefendEditor's Note
Partner/Spouse
Things you need to stop apologizing for
Things you need to stop apologizing for
ApologizeGive FeedbackEditor's Note
You
