Thank you for the reassurance yep. My answer has almost as much upvotes than downvotes, as most of my answers on this site tend to have because my answers are a tad controversial, that's ok, it only means I'll end up accidentally earning a rare badge, one of these days any of my unpopular answers will get accepted. I've been analyzing the culture around here and it seems that people tend to prefer advice that will keep everyone on their safe zone, and my methods are different but very effective, at least for me, I provide the same advice I appreciate and that usually involves a bit of bravery. — J A 1 min ago

Thank you for the reassurance yep. My answer has almost as many upvotes than downvotes, as most of my answers on this site tend to have because my answers are a tad controversial, that's ok, it only means I'll end up accidentally earning a rare badge, one of these days any of my unpopular answers will get accepted. I've been analyzing the culture around here and it seems that people tend to prefer advice that will keep everyone on their safe zone, and my methods are different but very effective, at least for me, I provide the same advice I'd appreciate, which usually involves a bit of bravery. — J A 38 secs ago

Thank you for the reassurance yep. My answer has almost as many upvotes than downvotes, as most of my answers on this site tend to have because my answers are a tad controversial, that's ok, it only means I'll end up accidentally earning a rare badge, one of these days any of my unpopular answers will get accepted. I've been analyzing the culture around here and it seems that people tend to prefer advice that will keep everyone on their safe zone, and my methods are different but very effective, at least for me, I provide the same advice I'd appreciate, which usually involves a bit of bravery. — J A 13 secs ago

I feel the first paragraph here could really use some backing up. Personally I just flat out disagree because OP is trying to avoid awkwardness and this is a dynamic the person is likely not used to. Secondary to backing it up, just explaining the thought process behind this first paragraph in a bit more detail would be OK. — Jesse 43 secs ago

But the other two answers are carry a book... 'see-through white lies' +1 — Mazura 1 min ago

+1 because while it isn't an answer to to the question directly, it nevertheless is useful to remind of what denying the trip could cause for the mother. And I also agree, if there was a trip with people I could imagine to be with for the 8 hours, I definitely wouldn't use public transport on my own. — puck 1 min ago

Completely disagree. It is always inappropriate for someone to invite themselves along on another's planned trip, especially when it is, as in this case, clearly a private couples trip. Being related, saving expenses, etc is a social euphemism for what it really is: guilt - tripping pressure (a kind of blackmail) to get one's way at the expense of others. — Dúthomhas 7 mins ago

The boldfaced statement at the bottom is what convinced me to downvote this answer. I think that much overstates what the OP actually said, and is needlessly antagonistic towards him. — Chris Sunami 14 mins ago

@ChrisSunami Perhaps unpleasant, but not needless. It's a simple reality of an otherwise seemingly innocuous viewpoint. If you think it's immoral to associate with an immoral person, then you must also agree that an immoral person cannot have moral friends or family to talk to. It's a twisted viewpoint that those who have often don't realize the latter half of the logic. This viewpoint cannot exist alongside relationships with such people, at least not by leverage Interpersonal Skills, which is the meaning of that last part. If you think that's antagonistic, please suggest a nicer phrase — Clay07g 16 secs ago

The bold faced comment is what convinced me to upvote. I know quite a few people who refuse to associate with one another just because they don't 100% agree with the others religious/political opinions. It's extremely sad to be honest. — SyntheticAbyss 40 secs ago

This is terrible advice IMO. Why would lying be your first thought? — GrumpyCrouton 1 min ago