It was the start of what I thought would be a magical journey with my girlfriend. We had been dating for a year and I had been planning this trip for months. We had booked all the flights, hotels, and activities, and I was really excited to surprise her with a romantic getaway.

But my excitement quickly turned to disappointment when my girlfriend refused to purchase travel insurance. She had seen the cost of the insurance and decided that it was too expensive. I argued that it was a necessary expense, but she wouldn’t budge. She said that she was confident that nothing would go wrong, and that we didn’t need the insurance.

I explained to her that while I was confident that nothing would go wrong either, it was still important to have the insurance in case something did happen. It was a small price to pay for peace of mind and to make sure that we had some type of financial protection in case of an emergency or unforeseen circumstance.

But she still refused to buy the insurance. I tried to reason with her and explain that it was important to have the coverage in case of an emergency, but she was adamant that she didn’t want to buy it.

I offered to pay for her but she don’t want to. She is really a illogical cheapo

Finally, I had had enough. I told her that if she wasn’t going to buy the insurance, then I wasn’t going to go on the trip. I told her that I wanted to make sure that we were both financially protected in case something went wrong, and that I wasn’t willing to take the risk of not having the insurance.

My girlfriend was clearly upset by my decision and tried to persuade me to go on the trip without the insurance, but I was firm in my resolve. I told her that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the trip if I knew that we weren’t financially protected in case something went wrong.

Unfortunately, my decision meant that the trip was cancelled. We had already paid for everything in advance, and I wasn’t willing to take the risk of not having the insurance. We couldn’t get a refund, so we were both out the money for the flights, hotels, and activities.

A netizen shared how he took the last train and saw a drunk girl vomiting at the MRT station and wondered if he should help her.

Here is the story:”

I usually take the late train on friday nights. Just so happened that tonight I caught the last train at Dover MRT.

As I walk toward the end of the train I notice this girl enter at the same station as well. Something looked off about her. She seemed like she was in a daze.

As she got in, she just stood next to the door and leaned her head against the wall. Something was wrong, this girl was clearly drunk, wasted would probably the correct term.

As the train set off I noticed she had a little trouble maintaining her balance but did not sit although most seats around her were unoccupied.

As we approach Clementi MRT, her discomfort seemed even more obvious. The doors opened and she seemed to be even more uncomfortable.

Suddenly, she bolts out into the station, leans against the wall and merlion….

As I watched I wondered if I could help her. Should I even help her ? What could I have done? Did she even need any help? She clearly seemed to be having a tough time keeping her wits about herself. Could she even get home in that state? Could I call someone? Was she safe? Could I give her something to help? I did not have any water or tissue on me.

Even if I were to ask her if she was ok would she just ask me to mind my own business? What if she puked on me instead? Would she feel threaten and unsafe if a burly guy were to ask she was ok in that state?

Not sure what I could do but feeling a need to help to do something, I sat there contemplating and watching the scene unfold.

Before I could do anything, my decision was made for me as the train doors closed and the last train for the day left the station.

To the girl who got off the last train at Clementi from Dover. I genuinely hope that you are ok and you managed to get home safe and sound.

I’m really not sure what I could have done to help even with hindsight, but I genuinely hope you are ok.

What would you have done? Would you help? How would you help? Is this a legal nightmare waiting to happen? How would you feel in that condition if a burly male stranger approached you to offer help in that state? Would really appreciate some advise as I am feeling abit guilty.

Still feel I could do something to help but just not sure what…”

Editor’s note: No point asking one thousand and one questions online after you have already decided not to help her.

Images source: Unsplash and Google Maps

A netizen shared a story about how he owes Ah Long money and was on the run from the loanshark when he bumped into the loanshark that he owed money to.

Here is the story:

“Suay until laosai ah, really.

I borrowed about $10k from an Ah Long and had no money to return, so I was hiding from them.

I was heavily in debt at the time and out of desperation, I went to borrow money from them.

They are really bloodsuckers, the interest rates were sky high and it ballooned until the interest became more than the initial loan.

I had no way of returning the money so I hid from them.

Then one day I was at Geylang visiting some “chickens” at a house.

I was very excited and wanted to destress, but as soon as I walked in, I saw a familiar face.

There he was, the ah long that I owe money to.

He shouted at me and I immediately bolted out and ran for my life, and he was hot on my heels chasing after me.

I ran across traffic and through shophouses and purposely ran through crowded places and eventually I got rid of him.

Suay right?”

I met this girl on cmb. We seemed to have similar interests so I thought I’ll meet her for a coffee break. Turns out she’s such a liar. She told me she is a fan of a sport that I like but I found out she actually doesn’t understand most of the jargon and lingo used. She told me she exercises 4,5 times a week like me but sorry to say, her figure looks more like someone who binge watches Netflix 4,5 hours a day. I try to take a pinch of salt when I see the photos but she over edited hers too much. It’s like she brushed away half of her body. I can take it as I made a new friend but I don’t appreciate the amount of lying. Not cool man. She told me she’s a sporty girl when she’s obviously not.

And what’s with the ton of make up and mountain of fake eyelashes? It’s so distracting and vulgar looking. I don’t know why some girls think it’s attractive.

I admit I’m not a 10/10 but at least I don’t lie about who I am. What’s the point of lying about your looks and interests when the truth will be revealed when we meet? What a waste of my time.

It’s impossible to meet anyone decent. I should just give up on all these stupid dating apps.

Here are what netizens think:

• It’s pretty harsh of you to criticise her in this way.She might be having a hard time looking for the right man and that’s why she has to use a different method. Though the method is not right, she has the rights to create her own opportunity. If not suitable, take it as a normal meet-up with a friend.Learn to reflect on your character as well in order to have a better chance next round.

• Come on you only met her for coffee not a steak dinner. It didn’t waste too much of your time or money so just move on. Don’t need to be so critical and angst

• Bobian people always try to be someone that they are not

–

Nothing to do at work for part 3 months

I am in an IT consultancy / implementation firm as an entry level analyst making ~5k/ month. Recently I got assigned to a project with nothing much to do beside reply a few emails/ talking to people.

I have to go to office 100% but I work less than 2hrs out of 40hrs in a week. Others time I spend listening to audiobooks/ podcast.

Need advice on should I find something to do or enjoy while I can?

Netizens’ comments

1. 50% of job scope in consultancy is to look busy. If you want to stay in this industry, start training. E.g. meet people for coffee, network, self learning etc
2. Weird flex but I think you’ve got a dream job to be paid a decent salary for doing not really much. Congratulations?
3. Insane how people have a problem with this… This is a literal dream job
4. Take the chance to get a Masters or do post grad courses since you have the time. If they don’t promote you, look for greener pastures. You win either ways
5. Learn a new skill, something that can value add to your work, ask for more work if needed? But maybe if there’s something that really interests you and you have a good chunk of free time you can work through that, and get paid
6. Both, find something to do and enjoy. Slot in workout sessions during lunch break.
7. Take a part time degree or masters to upskill yourself.
   Then you can study and do your homework/project during office hours.
8. Company still hiring ?
   • Ya sia, that seems like a dream come true job
9. Is it really tho? Few weeks ago there was a UX designer complaining about how tough to find a job in SG due to oversaturation

I don’t want to sleep with my fiancee anymore – I hate the smell of her private parts.

I’ve (M32) been with my fiancée for 5 years. She’s smart, curious, confident. I’m stillattracted to her beyond the ups and downs of our journey.

In the past year, since we’ve moved in together, my libido has crashed to an all time low because she smells so bad down there.

Sometimes it smells like onions and others it smells like bad fish. For years I’ve just dealt with it but I hate it. As soon as I get a whiff, I lose my hardness and struggle to get it back because I hate the smell.

A few months ago I tried hinting the awful smell to her by putting my fingers on her face after fingering her and she didn’t react. I don’t think she could smell it.

I got to a point where I couldn’t take it anymore and told her about it by politely suggesting she jump in the shower before we get intimate because I couldn’t get in the mood.

I embarrassed my baby and she was paranoid for weeks. She didn’t want to sleep with me anymore either as she very self-conscious. I felt so bad.

We’ve gotten back in the swing of things and I just forcefully put up with the smell because I love her so much.

I hate sleeping with her and have started taking ED pills to get hard so I can pleasure her.

I know she’s healthy and visits the gyno regularly.

Any advice folks…

Netizens’ comments

1. It’s just an imbalance/overgrowth of bacteria. The smell can worsen during intercourse. You can bring it up to her in a way that focuses on her health and your concern, and less about the fact it’s unpleasant, to ease the topic.
   Also diet plays a huge role in scent and taste. Whole foods, plenty of water, no soda or excess sugar… And as another person said, semen can definitely throw off pH balance and cause changes in smell.
2. You’ve been together 5 years. It’s time to have a real discussion about this.
   Let her know that you love her but you’ve noticed a smell from her and you think maybe she should have it checked out at the gyno. Tell her you still love her and find her very attractive. And sometimes these things happen. It’s not a big deal and it doesn’t change anything about the relationship. But the smell is fairly strong and you think it’s a good idea to get it checked. For her health.
   Her feelings will be very hurt. But imagine how she’d feel if she found out you’d been feeling this way for years and never told her. Relationships require hard conversations sometimes.

I grew up in poverty, going hungry and only eating at school. My mom was too proud to go after my father for child support (if she even knew who he was. My birth certificate says unknown), never used any government assistance because it was “beneath” her and we struggled. so. much when I was a child.

I left home at 18. Ended up “dating” a 32 year old man who promised to take of me and all of these grandiose things that obviously didnt happen.

Was an idiot and got knocked up. Now I have a 6 year old who is the absolute light of my light but now I’M the single mother.

At least my ex is on our daughter’s birth certificate? But it has been absolute HELL getting my ex to pay any type of child support.

I found out, after he left me for another, younger woman, he had another child and was paying child support to that mother.

And I’m the one who works. It’s never enough. It seems like every week, my mom is asking/calling/texting for money. She needs $10 here, $20 there. Oh can I please help her pay her bills, help her pay her debts, etc.

I’ve had to tell her OVER AND OVER that I cannot provide for her without taking away my child and my child is my first priority.

I finally lost my cool tonight after she asked me to give her money so she could buy cat food for a stray kitten.

My mother called me ungrateful and my daughter a “spoiled brat” (because yes, the kid who I regularly have to tell No to happy meals and toys and I’m skipping meals to make sure she has enough food for dinner is spoiled. The kid who I can’t even let go of $20 for a field trip)

Now my mom is mad but I just don’t give a f. I can’t get enabling her (not that I did it much anyways I’m too broke to do it)

This is after a really long, stressful day with my daughter losing her mind over not getting McDonald’s for dinner when we both got home and I’m tasked with a new project at work.

I can’t be my mothers retirement and continue on this way. Being in this position sucks but I am BARELY surviving as it is and I refuse to let my mother drag me down with her

I paid a woman to spend time with me and it only made things worse

My wife and I have a completely dead bedroom. It has been over a year since we’ve had any intimacy. A few weeks ago I started giving her small kisses in an attempt to turn it around, but she’d laugh and turn away and make excuses to dodge me.

It is not an exaggeration to say that if she were to work on her anger issues, nearly every single one of our marital problems would be solved.

My wife is quick to anger and takes weeks to cool down after even a minor altercation. Two weeks ago she flipped her lid because I said, and I quote:

“I’m really sorry but can you let me brush my teeth? I’m kind of in a rush to get to work.”

She was using the sink at the time. She scoffed loudly and pushed past me. Then she picked the TV remote up from a counter and slammed it on the kitchen table.

When I asked her what the big deal was, she simply responded “What? I’m acting normal.” Stonewalled completely.

I have no friends. I have no family left, other than my wife and our children. All I do is work, go home, spend time with my children, and then go to bed. My wife has an active social life.

Over the weekend I talked with a woman online who was a paid companion. I made clear that I wanted no physical relationship.

I just wanted to have lunch with someone and have a nice chat without fear of stepping on a landmine and getting screamed at.

She was happy to meet up with me. I paid her $200 for her time, another $150 on lunch. We chatted about things, and suddenly I was taken back to when I was dating my wife. It was incredible. She promised me an hour and a half, and on the mark she said time was up and that she had to go.

On my way home I felt the worst that I ever had before. This is what my life is now: paying women to tolerate me for an hour and a half. I’ll probably do it again because it’s either this or back to high-functioning alcoholism.

My company decided to hire someone to assist me… and they’ll have a higher role and pay than me.

I’ve have a fairly good job.

My biggest complaint is that there is no one else who knows how to do my job. Aside from being a poor business plan, it means I simply can’t go on vacation and have to work 10-20 hours of overtime one week out of the month.

Leadership is aware, so today they announced that they would be hiring someone to take some of my workload: primarily reporting, but also some daily tasks and backup should I need to take a day off.

This person will have a higher title than me, as well as being paid signifiantly (~30%) more than me. To … assist … me.

I spoke with my manager later. I tried to be constructive, pointed out that I’ve worked with people in the past, and they didn’t have many of the fundamental skillsets needed (PowerBI, Excel, SAP) to do the work that my manager is saying they’ll take on. So, not only do they not have the generalized skills, they don’t have the specific knowledge (my job).

My manager said, “Well, you can teach them!”

I tried to focus a bit on how my biggest complaint is that I’m working way beyond my scope (designing processes for other departments, building pay schema for hundreds of people WHO ALL MAKE MORE THAN ME).

My manager said she didn’t really think I could get a title/promotion (+pay bump) because I don’t have the necessary experience/knowledge required to bump up to the next level.

So let me get this straight:

I don’t have the knowledge or experience necessary to do the job I’ve been doing for 5+ years

so you hired someone at a higher title and pay rate

whom I have to teach the fundamental skills they’ll need to do my job (that you say I don’t know how to do)

The manager said “Wait, I thought you’d be excited about this?!”

Just infuriating to me that companies presume experience = skills, and then when you show them skills, they say “but we pay based on experience!”