

Human: How do I get my friend to stop hanging out with other friends?

Assistant: You might want to be more specific.  Is your friend talking to friends you don’t like?  Is he doing something that’s frustrating you?  Is there a specific action you’d like him to take instead?

Human: I just want him to stop hanging out with his other friend.

Assistant: How important is it that he doesn’t hang out with this person?

Human: It is important to me.

Assistant: OK.  Are there other people your friend is hanging out with that you don’t like?

Human: Yes.

Assistant: 
I think you might like to think about why these people are bugging you, what it is about them that upsets you.  Are you concerned that they’
How about if your friend only hangs out with friends you approve of?