Urban Diplomat

For years, my friends and I have been talking about doing a blowout road trip across Canada. It's finally happening, and our group chat has been buzzing with mentions of national parks and landmarks to visit. But now they're insisting on renting a Cybertruck for the whole three weeks, and their obsession has tanked my enthusiasm. They say it "looks badass." I think it's embarrassing. How do I broach the subject without starting a fight? -Electric Circus, Corktown

UD: There's no accounting for taste, so you won't win them over on aesthetic grounds. I suggest focusing on safety. You could point out that Cybertrucks had seven recalls in 2024, or send a selection of the many videos where they break down minutes after rolling off the lot. If that doesn't do the trick, you might remind them that vehicles don't get nicknames like Cluster Truck for nothing.

Dear Urban Diplomat, My boyfriend and I are best friends with another couple. We hit up a lot of events, and I often cover their tickets. I'm happy to. They don't make as much as us, and we always have fun together. My issue: whenever we take a selfie, they crop my partner and me out on Instagram as if they're on a date night. We just went to a Sceptres game, and it happened again-when I got home, I saw a photo of them captioned, "We love you, Sarah!" with nothing but my right shoulder on the edge of the frame. I paid for them to be there! Am I within my rights to call them out for being rude? -Cutting Remarks, Broadview North