I disagree… the guy avoided the possible embarrassment by being coy. He should have been frank to protect the person from a possible huge faux pas. Sometimes a few seconds of face to face embarrassment outweighs the possible consequences. He did you wrong by not being blunt.
When we were in school I remember someone saying “XYZ.” That meant examine your zipper.
Agree, he was being entirely too precious. Just come out and say it and although embarrassing for both parties, the one with the zipper down will be appreciative. This is the whole reason the term “XYZ” exists!
I told a man on the train once that his zipper was down. He was mortified. I also told a fellow with whom I was about to call on a client that his zipper was down. Why be coy? It is what it is.
Thanks for bringing back some grade school memories, @raclut! Gave me a chuckle. 
And if anyone is wondering, even if you’re female – save a brutha if his fly is open. Save him! He’ll appreciate it – even if embarrassed at that moment!
Never heard that one. I do remember “your barn door is open.” Slightly less discreet. Ha!
Are we still talking toilet paper? I have to buy the cheap stuff because my dog likes to take one end, pull out about twenty feet, and munch a length. Good TP causes problems, the cheap stuff, not so much.
Best advice ever came from my daughter: “you should try Couch to 5k.”
My beloved Golden Retriever and constant sidekick loved Christmas because of the wrapping paper rolls. He’d walk around with them in his mouth and be so happy. Watching him try to get through doorways with them was entertaining
I told my brother not to marry his high school sweetheart. (she is not sweet although she has a heart in a literal sense I guess or she would have circulation problems)
he did not listen, he is now divorced.
In the car this weekend: “Your husband is a saint. You need to stop micromanaging him.”
Ticked me off to hear that, but it did make me think about how I give directions when he’s driving.
Hmmm…not advice exactly. D’s BF (most likely future H) commented about how much work I do to make an annual white elephant party happen and how much $ and wondered if it mattered to others. It was not rude at all but more of a reflecting. He is great and his comment was not at all an insult. But he did get me to see things with new eyes.
D, tonight, is requesting the same party that we have now given for about 5-6 years. I protested that we have not heard one word from 4 of the people invited since the last party and so why would we invited them again? She tried to say that they are our friends but --no–not really. We do enjoy their company and have history of helping each other (the balance sheet should there be one is even and fair). But a calendar year of no contact?
I am deciding what I want to do. This is one of those over the top food parties–I can cook-- and I am not a pot luck person. But I think we will just say heavy appetizers (no main meal) desserts and drinks and everyone to bring on appetizer, also.
So, future SIL gave an astute observation.
@oregon101: There’s a difference between saying, “Do you think they appreciate all the work that you do?” versus “Do you think they give a gosh-darn about it?” I’m assuming your future SIL said the former, not the latter.
I think he was wondering if I needed to do as much as I usually do…that is all. He had been helping and watching me prepare for 3 days.
His own mother does not cook and does not put on bashes. It was all said nicely.
Being iced in for the better part of 10 days and not having my wrapping paper and other stupid
side issues had left me feeling non celebratory. But things are nearly finished and I am feeling
more positive. I know this party is a major glue for this group of folks. It is D’s best friends and
their parents. So I will move forward but keep it to my own energy level.
And the party itself is a blast.
what I want to say but can not
yes you drive like a maniac, yes I am scared to drive with you. yes you deserved the ticket. no the cop was not being a jerk.
just do not want to lose the friend.
but when he is in town I always drive…he just thinks I am nice(which I am) but I really like being safe too!
My H has given short, direct advice twice that was life-changing. His one or two sentence observations opened my eyes to situations I was completely blind about.
Once, on vacation, I was furious about a relative’s actions. His comment was “isn’t this always how it is when we vacation with them?” And that was our last vacation we spent with those relatives.
Another time my H commented on my business, which he rarely did. And he said the most obvious thing, and I finally opened my eyes and saw the reality of the situation.
I am thankful my H was brave enough to speak the obvious and help me to see reality.
My sister claims on a regular basis that someone (me) can be too low maintenance and that spending a little time getting dolled up before going out will somehow make a difference in my social life. I always disagree with her and she still invites me to the occasional outing, in my jeans and braid lol. She, on the other hand, spends lots of time with hair and makeup, wears heels everywhere and would never leave the house without mascara and lipstick. She also considers the 100+ acquaintances she has as “friends”. Not me, I have a handful.
Two very close friends sat me down before I married almost four years ago (after being a single parent for 23 years) and asked me if I was sure…there are some days I wish I had taken their advice, then again there are other days I don’t so who knows. I don’t offend easily thank goodness.
@zobroward There’s a similar thread that your post seems to better fit: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/319650-say-it-here-cause-you-cant-say-it-directly-the-get-it-off-your-chest-thread.html#latest
You mention you don’t want to lose a friendship. Perhaps you might consider saying that very caution because you might lose him (as in he dies) as a friend!