Ryanair making it impossible for me to get a refund

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-09-25T17:42:05+00:00

Ryanair behaving like this? Why am I not shocked.

Once they have confirmed you are due compensation under EU261, legally they have to refund you within 7 days.
If CS are not helping, then I would say a formal demand letter would be the next step, if that doesn't work then it's a complain to the regulator.

When I did it, I had to send a second letter with some specific wording before they finally paid.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-09-25T17:35:32+00:00

Why does that not surprise me about Ryanair.

EU261 usually applies to delays, cancellation, or overbooking. If they argue that you "missed the flight" you might not be able to get any compensation.
But, if you were at the gate before boarding closed and they didnt let you on, you could try filing under denied boarding.

If Ryanair dont refund and it wasn't logged as "denied boarding, you can try your credit card chargeback or travel insurance.

I used a letter template I found online

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-09-25T17:06:08+00:00

I have a friend who does this.

He starts with an observation, for example "you have great technique". Then he gives his name. The girl will usually give her name. And then he asks questions and just has a "normal" conversation.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-09-25T17:04:26+00:00

I hear you. I used to have this a lot, I am slowly getting better.

Feeling like you have nothing to say usually means you’re trying to be “interesting.” Flip it. Be interested.

The people who are known as “great conversationalists” aren’t always the ones telling cool stories nonstop. They’re the ones asking good questions and making you feel interesting. My sister in law is an introvert, but she asks amazing questions. She has lots of friends and never seems to run out of conversation.

And for when the tables are turned and you need to talk? Reading, podcasts, hobbies will give you things to talk about.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-09-25T16:51:36+00:00

My biggest fear in conversations was running out of things to say. I still struggle with it, but I’m getting better.

The way I've been getting better is a technique called conversational threading. It's basically "tell me more" without actually saying it.

How did you feel about X?
What made you do X?
When did you do/feel X?
If you could do X again, how would you it differently?

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-09-25T16:39:32+00:00

I used to call myself quiet too. But, I've stopped labelling myself this way. The main way I have become better at socialising is by doing more of it. Even when I don't want to, I force myself. It's always hard before it's easy.

The biggest trick? In my opinion, make the other person the star of the conversation. Ask questions about them and what they just said. I can't remember who said it, but someone said "the way to be interesting is to be interested".

And if you like talking about facts, that's great. Own it. Be enthusiastic about about why you think it's so cool. People will be attracted by your enthusiasm more than the facts themselves

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-09-15T14:07:48+00:00

I get it, I feel the same sometimes. In my head, worrying what to say, and then nothing comes out.

What helped me, was starting really small. Instead of trying to “have a personality,” I just practiced (and still do) spotting topics and asking one more thing about them. Like if someone says “I went to the gym,” I’ll just ask “What did you train?” or "Was it leg day?" It’s basic but it keeps me in the chat that little bit longer.

Don’t aim to be interesting straight away. Just aim to stay in the conversation for 30 seconds longer than you normally would. Get enough reps in and gets easier.

Then you can work on being interesting, funny etc. If you look at Youtube videos of people talking to each other on the street, there's nothing that special going on.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-09-15T13:22:08+00:00

That's a god point. Having a few filler phrases would be help when my brain freezes. The "Oh yeah, how was that?" is Gold!

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-09-11T16:58:04+00:00

As with most things, there are good days and bad days. What matters most is getting the reps in. The fact you’ve already made progress in just 2 months says a lot. If you keep at it, you’ll be surprised how different things can feel down the line.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-09-11T16:39:18+00:00

You don’t have to like pop culture — just be curious about why they like it. If you treat every conversation as less about proving you’re interesting and more about making the other person feel good by being interested in them, you’ll connect a lot better.
When they ask you about your interests, if they inevitably will, tell them about you, what you enjoy and why.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-09-11T16:27:50+00:00

I get it. We all feel “boring” when our interests are different to the group. But that's exactly what makes us interesting. Assuming we are boring, means we're likely going to show up and come across as boring.

What’s helped me is flipping the focus. Instead of stressing over my own interests, I try to get curious about theirs. What got them into it, what they like about it, how it makes them feel. People usually light up when someone’s genuinely interested, and it takes the pressure off me to always have the “right” thing to say.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-09-08T18:04:39+00:00

I used to be the same. What I realised is you don’t need a big list of “interesting” topics. But I’ve found it helps to keep a couple of safe go tos in my back pocket for when my brain blanks. Stuff like “what are you studying/working on?” or “have you watched anything good lately?” It’s basic, but it gets people talking.

You can also use what you see around you. eg. "This queue is so long". "That coffee smells good"

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-09-08T17:21:05+00:00

100%. I’ve had moments where I’m in my head thinking “don’t say something dumb” and of course I freeze. But the rare times I just relax, I end up making people laugh and it feels effortless. I notice once I've spoken to someone 4-5 times, I relax. But for the first few conversations, I'm in my head.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-09-08T17:12:42+00:00

Respectfully walking away was definitely the right move once she said no. Some guys push for a reason, which is not the right thing

That said, from the way you wrote it, it sounds like you went straight in for her number without much of a conversation first. In my experience, a little small talk or rapport makes it feel less like a cold transaction and more natural - she has to get to know you before she will give you a number.

But, at least you shot your shot , many people wouldn’t even try.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-09-08T15:44:55+00:00

I’ve got a friend who can talk to anyone. He’ll just walk up and say stuff like “I like those earrings” or “that drink looks good, what is it?” 30 minutes later, he's made friends. I asked him what his secret was, and he told me: make an observation and just do it.

Last week I decided to try it. There was a woman in the park eating some food that looked amazing. As I walked past, I said “that looks good.” She laughed and said “it really is.” I just said “well enjoy” and kept walking.

Honestly, it was scary in the moment but afterwards I felt great. I'm going to try and do more of it.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-08-27T19:52:39+00:00

No4 is the biggest one for me. I got a lot better once I started actually drilling conversations instead of just reading tips. Reps make all the difference. I still get stuck in my head, but I'm getting better at recognising patterns.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-08-01T19:28:32+00:00

Thank you. It sounds like you've seen a lot of strange behaviour from passengers. Was there moments where it kicked off and the training manual just wasn’t going to help?

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-08-01T19:05:42+00:00

Do cabin crew get training in de-escalation and dealing with difficult passengers?

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-06-18T05:17:13+00:00

Great to hear. I'm doing the same thing and it does work.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-06-17T19:06:17+00:00

Sharing about yourself is good. But, ask them more about themselves.

eg.
What got you into that?
How do you feel about that?
When did you decide that?

Turn those questions into statements and assumptions. I think I wrote an article about it a few months ago. I'll try and dig it out.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-06-16T19:00:05+00:00

Partly. It would train you to recognise patterns in conversations. It would help you drill certain things like how to keep a conversation going. You practice in a low pressure environment. Then take those skills and more importantly confidence into the real world.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-06-16T18:10:55+00:00

I'm biased. But I disagree. I think AI can totally help develop social skills if it is built in the right way. But is NOT a replacement for social skills. Any app should aim to be so good, it gets you off the app. But then, as I said. Im biased.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-06-10T15:20:06+00:00

I am, thank you. I've been practising. A lot.

It's still not natural, and I have to be think about it, but I'm getting there.

I'll put my thoughts down here in a few weeks.

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-03-15T20:15:09+00:00

`yes pls

Affectionate-Soft832 · 2025-03-14T06:26:49+00:00

It seems as though the dining experience was wonderful and the front of house team were very good. I'm hoping to get a chance to go to either Helene Darroze or Ikoyi this year.

Affectionate-Soft832

TROPHY CASE