Have you met this famous cat?

This is a really strange idea to feature such a funny looking creature!

GRUMPY CAT

 

Are manners learned behavior or instinct?

Obviously, a verbal or written 'please' or 'thank you' are learned behaviors.  We're taught as toddlers to say please and thank you to EVERYONE and for EVERYTHING. We're taught these words by our parents, caregivers, relatives, teachers, and others.  This behavior is ingrained, repeated, and reinforced during an individual's early childhood.  What happens to the behavior (which later becomes identified as manners) as the child gets older is a whole different story. 

I've found myself in long awkward pauses when someone near and dear to me doesn't use their manners, I've often said, "what do you say?"  Unfortunately, I'm not able to use this same not so gentle nudge when working with the public.  If I'm asked for something or have just done something for someone, I'll provide a pause in case there is anything the person would like to say to me. I guess my instinct tells me not to pause too long.

Does Marketing Really Work? YOU be the judge!

Marketing and advertising, does it really work?  I think so!

How many of these images do you recognize? Add a jingle or saying and you would know for sure! 

Ads are successful if they:

1. catch your attention.

2. keep your attention.

3. and if you remember them.

Marketers are counting on you to not only remember their ad, but to associate it with their product!

 

 

Germs, Germs Everywhere!!

Germs are EVERYWHERE!!  Pretty obvious, right?!  It is so easy to obsess over germs and go crazy scrubbing, cleaning, wiping, sanitizing, and anti-bacterializing everything in our wake.  Is that really what's best?  For some people, absolutely!  My friend has a hoard of kids that seem to always be sick, they find the festering germs wherever they go.  They frequently miss school due to "the barfies!"  Even with Mom's obsession for the antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizers, there is still no bubble of immunity to germs.  Some people are susceptible to the ewwww gross - o germs and others aren't. 

My feeling...know your immunity and live accordingly! 

No more lecturing, if you want to continue to gross yourself out with the facts, the information is out there!  http://www.today.com/id/21423163/ns/today-today_health/t/soap-germiest-places-your-life/

and there is plenty more....

Wash your hands!  Soap is your friend!

Happy Friday!!

"Happy Friday" is one of my favorite sayings, however, it is not always returned with the same level of enthusiasm as it was intended.  Many times I receive a very gruff response of, "I have to WORK tomorrow!"  Oops, for me, it's just like saying, "Good morning, hey or howdy!"  Those greetings receive an immediate reciprocated response.  Happy Friday seems to be over analyzed.   It is like when someone says, "How are you?" and the other person goes into detail about how they are not good and why (which happens rarely). 

Most people use simple greetings correctly with a reciprocated response. 

Luckily, I am the type of person that is willing to hear a different answer than the norm. If you need to tell me about your bad day, bad times, or the fact that you have to work on Saturdays or Sundays, I'm willing to listen. So, whether you work Monday-Friday or 24/7, the correct response is "Happy Friday!" Worse case, if you can't return the greeting, I'm all ears!

I Am Inspired

I am inspired by an article I read last month.  It described in detail the life of a 4 person family that recycles, reuses and composts almost everything!  The amount of trash they had for 1 year fit into an empty peanut butter jar!  They use glass jars, fabric bags, and canvas totes while grocery shopping to eliminate waste.  Deli meat and cheese go straight from the deli counter to the glass jar supplied.

Bea Johnson, the mother of this family is the one that took charge of the family's pursuit to make a difference.  She is a very innovative, creative person!  We could all learn a lot from this family!

Click here for more info

Practicing Common Courtesy

I like to take one day at a time, and when I do that, each day is a new slate.  All I'm asking for each day is common courtesy from others.  Most importantly, I 'm looking for general social greetings and polite behavior.  Ok...no more beating around the bush.  When I go into a store, I expect to be acknowledged by the cashier.  Since this is important to me, you know I have most definitely been keeping track of my interactions in each store. 

My biggest pet peeve is when a cashier does not greet me....they just start scanning.  I need to be acknowledged.  Many times, we get all the way to the end in silence and the only word uttered is the total (not even followed with a please).  My only theory is that cashiers are trying to check you out as fast as possible, since everyone is always in a hurry.  Even in our hurried lives...this is wrong.  What harm is a friendly greeting, acknowledging that there is a human being standing across from you??  You don't even have to go into a deep conversation or slow down your pace, I'm just happy with hello.  A simple word that some people forget.Hello!