TIPS
Tips
Quick tips on dining etiquette, conversation starters, and more.
The Etiquette of Modern Friendship: Unwritten Rules Nobody Teaches You
The unspoken social rules of adult friendship in 2026 — from texting etiquette and splitting the bill to RSVPing properly, ghosting, group chats and knowing when it's OK to cancel. A British guide to navigating the grey areas.
9 April 2026
50 Conversation Starters That Go Beyond 'What Do You Do?'
Fifty great questions to spark real connection, organised by context — from first meetings and dinner parties to catching up with old friends. Because a good question is a gift.
26 March 2026
The Best Budgeting Apps to Help You Socialise Without the Guilt
How to use Monzo, Plum, Emma, YNAB, and Snoop to create a dedicated social fund — so you can say yes to dinners without the financial anxiety that follows.
26 March 2026
The Best Cookbooks for People Who'd Rather Be Socialising Than Cooking
Seven brilliant cookbooks that make cooking for friends achievable, not aspirational. From Rukmini Iyer's one-tin wonders to Meera Sodha's weeknight feasts, these are the books that get dinner on the table so you can get back to the people at it.
26 March 2026
What Your Favourite Restaurant Order Says About You (A Fun Guide)
From the person who always orders steak to the menu agoniser who needs ten more minutes, a light-hearted look at what your dining habits reveal about your personality — backed by actual psychology.
26 March 2026
How to Be a Better Friend: 10 Small Things That Make a Big Difference
Friendship isn't a feeling — it's a practice. Ten simple, actionable ways to show up better for the people you care about, backed by research on what actually keeps friendships strong.
26 March 2026
Mindful Eating, Mindful Connecting: How Slowing Down at the Table Changes Everything
The intersection of mindfulness and social dining — why rushing through meals kills connection, and how being present at the table can transform both your health and your relationships.
26 March 2026
The Digital Detox Dinner: Why Putting Your Phone Away Changes Everything
UK adults spend over 4.5 hours a day online, and for the first time are on their phones more than they watch television. Here's why going phone-free at the dinner table transforms conversation, connection, and how you feel about the people around you.
26 March 2026
The Sunday Reset: Preparing Your Mind for a Better Social Week
How to use the Sunday reset trend to plan your social week, reduce anxiety about seeing people, and build routines that keep your friendships alive.
26 March 2026
7 Ways to Actually Make Friends When Your Diary Is Rammed
Practical, research-backed strategies for making real friends when your calendar is already full. From the repeated exposure principle to the friendship funnel, what actually works.
25 February 2026
An Introvert's Guide to Building a Social Life You Actually Enjoy
Being an introvert doesn't mean you don't want connection. A practical guide to building a social life that energises rather than drains, with science-backed tips.
25 February 2026
How to Move Past Small Talk and Actually Connect
Research-backed techniques to move beyond surface-level chat and build real connections. From the Harvard question-asking study to the vulnerability ladder — how to have conversations that actually matter.
25 February 2026
The Comfort of Routine: Building Regular Social Rituals in Chaotic Times
When everything feels uncertain, regular social rituals become an anchor. The psychology of routine, UK research on social connection, and how to build your own recurring gatherings that stick.
27 November 2025
How to Talk About the News Without Ruining the Evening
The news is heavy. Your social life doesn't have to be. How to engage with current events at dinner without spiralling into doom, plus conversational techniques for keeping things meaningful without drowning in anxiety.
13 November 2025
Navigating Political Differences at the Dinner Table
How to handle political disagreements with friends without damaging relationships. UK data on political polarisation, practical tips for difficult conversations, and why friendships across divides matter more than ever.
30 October 2025
Staying Connected on a Budget: Socialising Through the Cost of Living Crisis
16 million Brits have cut back on socialising due to the cost of living crisis. How to maintain friendships on a budget and why social spending is essential.
29 May 2025
Why Small Gatherings Beat Big Nights Out in Anxious Times
From supper clubs to intimate dinner parties, Brits are choosing smaller, more meaningful social experiences. Here's the psychology behind why groups of 4-8 feel safer and more fulfilling — especially when the world feels uncertain.
15 May 2025
The Dinner Table as Sanctuary: Why Shared Meals Ground Us
From ancient campfires to modern kitchen tables, sharing food has always been humanity's most powerful grounding ritual. The science behind why eating together reduces stress, builds trust, and offers an antidote to digital overwhelm.
17 April 2025