← The Advice Library

Advice on etiquette & social dilemmas.

27pieces of advice from the show’s hosts and guests — attributed, and linked to the moment each was said. Explore the full Etiquette & Social Dilemmashub →

Is it okay to pick up a stray golf ball on a golf course?

Tommy argues you shouldn't take a ball that's clearly someone else's just because you find it on a golf course, while Josh notes it's fine to keep balls found in areas with no one around, like rough near a short par 3.

Should you prank a friend or colleague when they're stressed?

Josh suggests only pranking people when they're in a good headspace, jokingly proposing a 0-100 mood scale and saying you should only prank someone if they're 'over a 60.'

Should I get ambulance cover sorted?

Josh insists on getting ambulance cover done promptly, noting it only takes about 30 seconds to sign up and repeatedly promises to do it by the end of the show.

Should you pay for fast-track/queue-jump passes at theme parks?

Tommy suggests it can be better to hold off on paying extra for fast-track passes and instead wait in the normal queue to save money and have a more 'peaceful experience'.

How should you respond when someone offers to pay for or share something with you?

Tommy argues it's polite to accept what someone offers rather than refuse out of politeness, distinguishing this from 'leeching,' and notes that pushing back too hard on generosity can itself be a kind of social performance.

What should I do if I notice pee on a public toilet seat and a woman is about to use it next?

Even if you didn't cause the mess, clean it yourself if you know a woman is about to use the toilet next, because you don't want to be perceived as the person who left pee on the seat.

Is it okay to go to bed early when you have guests over?

Both hosts agree it's fine to excuse yourself and go to bed if you're tired or not engaged in the conversation, rather than forcing yourself to stay up.

How should you react when someone shows up with an unannounced extra guest?

Josh suggests choosing to be welcoming and gracious rather than reacting negatively or avoiding the situation, since blowing up puts everyone in an uncomfortable position.

What should I do if someone mistakenly thinks a gift I'm carrying is for them or their event?

Tommy advises being upfront and telling the truth immediately regardless of awkwardness, especially with close friends, while Josh and Mason suggest it depends on closeness to the person—often it's kinder or easier to just let it go or say it's for 'whoever' if the relationship is more distant.

Tommy Jackett, Josh Janssen, Mason LauderEp 552▶ 16:53

How should tipping work for coffee, Ubers, and luggage help in the US?

Skip tipping for short Uber rides or when someone insists on carrying your bag unnecessarily; be more generous for long rides or labor-intensive drinks, but it's reasonable to feel irritated by compulsory tip prompts at already-expensive coffee counters.

How do you figure out what's causing an unexplained allergic reaction?

Tommy suggests doing a process of elimination, tracing the reaction back to a specific product (in this case, laundry detergent) and researching online whether others have had similar allergic reactions to the exact product.

If you promise to split lottery winnings with others before buying a ticket, are you obligated to honour it even if payment details get messy?

Josh argues you have to honour the verbal agreement to split winnings even if there's ambiguity about who technically paid, calling it scumbag behaviour not to.

Is it acceptable to spit things out a car window while driving?

Collect the pips/seeds in your hand first rather than spitting them out piece by piece, then throw them out the window together — this is deemed acceptable rather than 'gronk behaviour.'

Is it okay to push ahead in an airport customs line if a new line opens up?

Don't jump ahead into a newly forming line even if your bags are delayed — Tommy says he 'wouldn't do it' because everyone else is waiting their turn.

What's the best way to handle paying for group meals or shared costs with friends?

Josh prefers to be the one who fronts the payment and gets paid back later, reasoning that he will reliably collect what he's owed, whereas he might forget to repay others himself if he's the one who owes money.

When does being frugal cross the line into being inconsiderate?

Josh suggests that frugal behavior becomes a 'gronk move' or 'fuckwit' move specifically when it negatively impacts the people around you, rather than just affecting yourself.

What should you do if you damage something you borrowed from someone?

Based on the pram incident, Josh suggests finding a way to return the item in equal or better condition (e.g., sourcing a secondhand replacement) rather than necessarily buying costly official replacement parts, while being upfront that you intend to make it right.

How do you decide whether to hug, kiss, or shake hands when greeting someone?

Use context: handshakes for corporate/professional settings or people you don't know well, hugs as a generally safer middle-ground option, and kisses reserved for people you have an established personal relationship with; if in doubt, follow the lead of the person you're with (e.g., 'follow Tommy').

What should you do if you feel uncomfortable about how to greet someone?

If you feel uncomfortable going in for a kiss, skip it and opt for something safer like a hug.

Should you overthink how you're going to greet someone before meeting them?

Don't over-plan the exact greeting in advance—by the time you actually get there, any premeditated plan tends to go out the window, so it's better to read the moment and go with it.

Unknown (3D Dyl)Ep 353▶ 31:35

What should you do if you run into someone whose name you've forgotten?

Admit it directly by saying something like 'your name has escaped my mind' rather than pretending to remember, though it may feel awkward to say outright.

Why might you avoid complaining about money or finances publicly?

Complaining about money can look like you're not taking ownership/responsibility for your financial situation and opens you up to criticism later if your spending contradicts your complaints.

How many ice cream samples is appropriate to ask for before buying?

Tommy suggests one or two samples is reasonable for a busy shop, with four being the absolute ceiling before it becomes excessive.

TommyEp 239

Is it okay to eat or drink supermarket products before paying for them?

Josh argues you should wait until the transaction is complete before touching or consuming any product, viewing it as a matter of personal integrity in the transaction, while Tommy sees no issue drinking water or sampling nuts beforehand since he intends to pay.

What's a good rule of thumb for tipping in the US?

Tip a minimum of 20%; even for bad service, don't skip the tip entirely — drop to around 10% instead, since many service workers rely heavily on tips.

Should I take selfies or photos of myself at sombre historical sites like Auschwitz?

Avoid taking selfies at a place like Auschwitz; if you want a photo for personal memory or connection, have someone else take a tasteful photo of you rather than a selfie, and focus on absorbing and learning from the visit instead.

How can you avoid conflict when lending items to friends?

Be specific about when you need the item back rather than leaving it vague; set clear expectations and have the person return it directly to you rather than you having to chase it down.