Category: Conversation Starters

Tutoring you in the art of conversation

January 29-31 Celebrations

Did you know that there is a special interest, hobby or person to honor and celebrate on every day of the month? Check them out!

January 30

  • Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day (last Monday in January)
  • National Croissant Day
  • National Escape Day
  • National Inane Answering Message Day
  • School Day of Non-Violence and Peace
  • Yodel for Your Neighbors Day

January 30

  • Appreciate Your Social Security Check Day
  • Backward Day
  • Brandy Alexander Day
  • Eat Brussels Sprouts Day
  • Hell is Freezing Over Day
  • Hug an Economist Day
  • Inspire Your Heart with the Arts Day
  • National Hot Chocolate Day
  • National Plan for Vacation Day (last Tuesday in January)
  • Scotch Tape Day
  • Catholic Schools Week (January 29-February 4)
  • National Meat Week (January 29-February 4)

 Holidays and Observances to Celebrate in February 1-4, 2023!

February is the shortest month of the year, but there are a ton of things to celebrate and acknowledge during these 28 days—which is why we’re happy to share these February holidays and observances for 2023!

February 1

  • Candy-Making Day
  • Car Insurance Day
  • Change Your Password Day
  • Dark Chocolate Day
  • Decorating With Candy Day
  • G.I. Joe Day
  • Global School Play Day (first Wednesday in February)
  • Hula in the Coola Day
  • International Day of Black Women in the Arts
  • International Face & Body Art Day
  • National Baked Alaska Day
  • National Freedom Day
  • National Get Up Day
  • National Girls & Women in Sports Day (first Wednesday in February)
  • Robinson Crusoe Day
  • Serpent Day
  • Spunky Old Broads Day
  • World Hijab Day
  • World Read Aloud Day (first Wednesday in February)

February 2

  • Ayn Rand Day
  • Bonza Bottler Day
  • California Kiwi Fruit Day
  • Candlemas
  • Crepe Day
  • Groundhog Day
  • Groundhog Job Shadow Day
  • Heavenly Hash Day
  • Marmot Day (in Alaska)
  • Rheumatoid Awareness Day
  • Self-Renewal Day
  • Sled Dog Day
  • Tater Tot Day
  • World Play Your Ukulele Day
  • World Wetlands Day

February 3

  • American Painters Day
  • Bubble Gum Day (first Friday in February)
  • Doggy Date Night
  • Elmo’s Birthday
  • Feed the Birds Day
  • Give Kids a Smile Day (first Friday in February)
  • Golden Retriever Day
  • National Carrot Cake Day
  • National Carrot Day
  • National Cordova Ice Worm Day
  • National Missing Persons Day
  • National Patient Recognition Day
  • National Wear Red Day (first Friday in February)
  • National Wedding Ring Day
  • National Women Physicians Day
  • Take a Cruise Day
  • The Day the Music Died
  • Working Naked Day

February 4

  • Barber Day (first Saturday in February)
  • Facebook’s Birthday
  • Homemade Soup Day
  • Ice Cream for Breakfast Day (first Saturday in February)
  • International Pisco Sour Day (first Saturday in February)
  • Liberace Day
  • National Hemp Day
  • National Play Outside Day (first Saturday of every month)
  • National Stuffed Mushroom Day
  • National Thank a Mailman Day
  • Quacker Day
  • Rosa Parks Day (in California and Missouri)
  • Take Your Child to the Library Day (first Saturday in February)
  • Torture Abolition Day
  • USO Day
  • World Cancer Day

Source: parade.com

“Inventing Anna”–Anna Delvey’s birthday afterparty

Scammer Anna Delvey required attendees of her birthday afterparty to sign non-disclosure agreements and provide their social security numbers, Page Six has exclusively learned.

While the NDA, obtained by Page Six, required to attend the “Club House Arrest” soiree appeared standard in its legalese, what stuck out was that underneath the signature it asked for everyone’s SSNs.

We hear attendees at the “Inventing Anna” subject’s fête either left it blank or went so far as to provide fake numbers.

Jade Greene

One source shared that house-arrested Delvey, who can have people over as long as she doesn’t leave, was “good at choosing a crowd” and served as an “amazing hostess.”

“It was a classic New York house party somehow, even if it was in a one-bedroom it wasn’t stifling,” the source said, “and the ankle monitor over her tights was chic.

Source: https://pagesix.com

17 Phrases for Asking for Information

I know some are embarrassed to ask for any information, but just take a deep breath and go for it!

Pensacola News Journal©

I wonder if someone could tell me…?

Do you happen to know…?

Have you got an idea of…?

I don’t suppose you know…?

Could anyone tell me…?

I’m interested in…

I was wondering…

Can I have … please?

Is this right way for …?





Would you mind…?

I’m looking for…

I’d like to know…

Do you know…?

Could you tell me…?

Can you tell me…?

Do you have any idea…?

Don’t suppose you (would) know…?

I wonder if you could tell me…?

Source: englishstudyhere.com

What Makes Someone Boring to Other People and How to Stop it

Forget about delusions of grandeur — turns out many of us could be suffering from delusions of being interesting.

A new paper, “Boring People: Stereotype Characteristics, Interpersonal Attributions, and Social Reactions,” set about identifying what makes a person boring, and the results are pretty harsh.

Led by the University of Essex’s Wijnand Van Tilburg​​, researchers asked more than 500 people to rank the most boring characteristics, hobbies and jobs in other people. Here are some of the top results of those surveys. (Prepare to be offended.) 

theawesomedaily.com

Boring personality traits:

No sense of humor

Bad conversationalist

Being inactive

Self-centered

Actively disliking things 

Boring occupations:

Accounting

Banking and finance

Librarian

Manual labor

Sales

Boring hobbies:

Watching TV

Collecting

Crafts

Gaming

Playing golf

What’s so bad about being boring?

While no one wants to see people stifling yawns whenever they start to speak, the study suggests that being boring can have a bigger negative impact on our lives than we think. Study subjects admitted to regarding boring people as a burden that they would rather avoid than suffer through in social and business settings. “Our research shows that people who possess stereotypically boring features are perceived as both less interpersonally warm and less competent, and they elicit social avoidance by others,” write the researchers.

How to not be boring

Does this mean you are doomed if you are an accountant who isn’t good at small talk and likes to knit on the weekends? Of course not. Psychology Today suggests these methods to keep yourself off the dull list:

1. Don’t complain to other people.

Friends are interested to know if something serious is happening in your life, but no one wants to hear you go on and on about a delayed flight.

2. Don’t talk about yourself — ask people questions about their lives.

And don’t just ask one question, follow up to get deeper. This isn’t being nosey, it is being interested.

3. Don’t be afraid to change the topic of conversation, even if it seems random.

People tend to perceive this as rude, but it is a surefire way to keep a conversation crackling.

4. Be present when someone is talking (i.e. don’t grunt while checking your phone).

Body language is just as important as what you say to show that you are engaged.

5. Told a story that got a good laugh? Remember and retell it at your next gathering. 

Like a standup comedian, have a couple of reliable stories to fall back on. (Note: only do this if you’re not hanging out with the same people!)

Now, go forth and be the riveting friend and colleague you’re almost certain you are.

By Dan Bova for Entrepreneur.com©

Source: Scientists Have Determined What Makes You Boring to Other People (chron.com)

Also, check out tutoringyou.org “Conversation Starters” for easy small-talk ideas.

Don’t Believe These Myths About Gas Stoves

Gas stoves are the latest innocuous item to turn into a culture war symbol, due to rumors that they might, at some point in the future, be banned. But are gas stoves really that bad for us? Are government agents going to come and take them away? And if the health concerns are real, are we doomed?

© Photo: PandaStudio (Shutterstock)

The government is not coming to take your gas stove

If you’ve been paying attention to the political controversy, you may have noticed some political figures yelling about how they are prepared to physically defend their gas ranges from government intervention.

There aren’t even any regulations pending

This whole firestorm was ignited when a member of the Consumer Product Safety Commission said in an interview that the CPSC is planning to open a public comment period soon about how and whether to regulate indoor air pollution from gas stoves. This regulation might include include things like warning labels on the stoves or requirements for ventilation when they are installed, but the member also remarked that “products that can’t be made safe can be banned.”

The head of the CPSC clarified that there’s no ban in the works, and that the agency is “exploring new ways to address health risks” including voluntary industry standards.

The link between gas stoves and health concerns is real

So are gas stoves bad for us? Probably! Studies have linked childhood asthma to growing up with a gas stove. The cause-and-effect hasn’t been fully teased out, though. For one thing, kids who breathe the indoor air pollution from gas stoves are often exposed to a lot of outdoor air pollution as well.

But we do know that gas stoves release nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulates—all of which are considered indoor air pollution. Cooking on electric and other ranges can also emit particulates, hinting that ventilation for all types of cooking is probably a good idea. But we know that gas stoves create more of these types of air pollution than electric ranges.

All in all, there is good reason to be concerned about the health effects of gas stoves. It’s not a rip-your-stove-out emergency, but if you happen to be shopping for a new stove, you might want to consider electric or induction ranges.

There are ways to mitigate the health concerns

One thing that’s gotten lost in the recent controversy is that gas stoves aren’t a take-it-or-leave-it proposition. If you have a gas stove and are concerned about the health effects, there are things you can do to mitigate the risk.

The biggest one is ventilation. Some stoves are installed with a range hood above them, which sucks air from the vicinity of the stovetop, and blows it…somewhere. This is where it’s worth finding out what kind you have. Some exhaust the air to the outside, while others just blow it back into your face—hopefully after passing it through a filter.

Venting your range hood outside is great if you can swing it—definitely something to consider if you’re renovating your kitchen. In the meantime, consider opening windows or using fans in the room for extra ventilation when you’re cooking. (Some older houses have a fan built into the wall for this purpose.) If you don’t use your range hood because it’s loud and annoying, a quieter range hood could be a good investment.

Another way to address the particulate matter in the kitchen is with a HEPA filtered air purifier. This will pull particulates out of the air, and they tend to run quietly and be unobtrusive.

Source: https://lifehacker.com/

David Crosby, Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash Co-Founder, Dies at 81

Singer-songwriter-guitarist David Crosby, a founding member of two popular and enormously influential ’60s rock units, the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash (later Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young), has died, his representative says. He was 81 years old. A cause of death has not been revealed.

The death came as a surprise to those who followed his very active Twitter account, which he’d kept tweeting on as recently as Wednesday. One of Crosby’s final tweets the day before he died was to make a typically jocular comment about heaven: “I heard the place is overrated… cloudy.”

© Provided by Variety

With bandmates Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke, Crosby set down the template for ’60s L.A. folk-rock in the Byrds during his stormy 1964-67 tenure in the group.

Bonding with Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield and Graham Nash of the Hollies amid the glitter of L.A.’s late-’60s Laurel Canyon scene, Crosby launched CS&N, whose multi-platinum 1968 debut inaugurated rock’s supergroup era.

The addition of another volatile member, Stills’ erstwhile Buffalo Springfield colleague Neil Young, added to the act’s commercial luster. However, a constant clash of egos within Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, fueled by the rock excesses of the era, toppled the act during the ’70s, though its members would regroup sporadically over the years as a recording and touring unit. Crosby’s most stable association was with Nash: The duo recorded and toured regularly into the new millennium.

While never the principal songwriter in either the Byrds or CSN&Y, Crosby was an integral part of the densely layered harmony front line that launched both those acts’ multiple chart hits.

The hedonistic personification of the ’60s sex-drugs-and-rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, he grappled with addiction for many years. His sensational 1982 arrest in Texas on drug and weapons charges led to a five-month prison stay in 1986. Wracked by years of cocaine and alcohol abuse, he underwent liver transplant surgery in 1994.

Though he never returned to the popular eminence of his early years, Crosby recorded and toured profitably into the 2000s.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, as a member of the Byrds (1991) and Crosby, Stills & Nash (1997).

Crosby is survived by his wife Jan Dance, their son Django, son James Raymond, and two daughters, Erika and Donovan, from previous relationships.

Source: http://www.msn.com

The Best New Year’s Resolutions (And How to Keep Them)

One of the best parts of the New Year might be going out to a celebration with friends and family. But, when the first day of the year rolls around, that means it’s resolution time! For many people, making New Year’s resolutions can be an important part of welcoming what’s to come. It can be pretty hard to keep those resolutions year after year though. Luckily, with the right resolutions and a few tips, you may be on your way to an improved 2023.

What’s a Good New Year’s Resolution to Make?

There’s a different resolution for every person when the month of January rolls around. While there are no wrong resolution ideas, here are some options that might make you want to start early:

  • Lose Weight – It often comes as eating healthy or exercising, but weight loss is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. After the holiday indulgence, January can seem like a particularly good time to change your diet. .
  • Manage Your Money – The word budget strikes fear into the heart of many people all year round. The New Year, however, can be a good time to broach financial challenges. Whether by making more or saving money, financial well-being is an important goal!
  • Learn New Skills – Whether it’s carpentry, calligraphy or kickboxing, there is a world of hobbies waiting to be pursued. For many Americans, New Year’s resolutions can be a great time to broach a new hobby! Share your own ideas with others on your favorite family app.
  • Get Organized – Life is pretty busy for most of us, and that means it can be hard to stay on top of things. Organization can be a great way to get a handle on all of the things going on in our life. However, it’s only in the New Year that many resolve to come up with a plan!

What Are Some Good Tips on Succeeding at Your New Year’s Resolutions?

It can be hard to maintain lifestyle changes once the luster of newness has worn off. If you’re determined to achieve your goals and establish new habits this year, the following tips might offer the key to success!

  • Does It Inspire You? – Many people end up making resolutions that aren’t meaningful to them. Whether it’s being healthy or exercising more, a goal you’re not invested in won’t go anywhere. The best New Year’s resolutions will be things that you can get excited about.
  • Make It Manageable – It’s easy to get carried away when the New Year is a few weeks away. But making a resolution that’s too challenging may not lead to success. Instead, choose resolutions that you can see yourself doing. For more difficult ones, you can even do them in parts to make it easier. Share your ideas with others on FamilyApp!
  • Write Them Down – It might seem silly, but writing down your goals can actually cement them in a different way. Not only will it help you clarify what you really want, but it will also ensure you don’t forget them. Down the line, it can also be a reminder of progress made!
  • Go Easy on Yourself – New Year’s resolutions ideas aren’t hard to come up with, but staying on track is! That’s why it so important to give yourself wiggle room. No matter what your self-improvement goal is, change is hard. You will fall off the wagon, but getting back on is what’s most important.

Source: https://familyapp.com/the-best-new-years-resolutions-and-how-to-keep-them/

Tortoise Celebrates its 190th Birthday as the World’s Oldest Land Animal

A tortoise which is the world’s oldest living land animal is celebrating its 190th birthday.

Jonathan was born nearly two centuries ago, in the early 1800s, which makes him not only the oldest tortoise ever recorded, but the oldest living land animal.

For 140 years, he has resided on the remote island of St. Helena situated in the midst of the South Atlantic Ocean, a 6-hour flight west from Johannesburg, South Africa.

Shell measurements taken upon his arrival to the island show that he was at least 50 years old at that time, and it is likely that he is even older.

Joe Hollins cared for the giant turtle during his decades as St. Helena’s resident veterinarian, and still does so now during his retirement.

“When you think, if he was hatched in 1832—the Georgian era—my goodness, the changes in the world.

“The World Wars, the rise and fall of the British Empire, the many governors, kings, and queens that have passed, it’s quite extraordinary. And he’s just been here, enjoying himself.

“I do think he’s fabulous, actually. He’s a great animal. And as a vet, what greater privilege is there than to be looking after the oldest known living land animal in the world? “I mean, how often does that happen—to be able to care for this magnificent animal?”

As a much loved member of his island community, and the most permanent resident, locals have thrown the lucky tortoise a three-day birthday party, where he feasted on all his favorite veggies throughout.”

On Friday, December 2, a range of posters celebrating Jonathan’s life, with pictures and messages from those who have visited him over the years, was put on display at the grounds of his home, Plantation House.

Source: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/oldest-animal-a-tortoise-celebrates-190th-birthday/

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