3 Useful Tips for Travel Tipping

May 3, 2008 at 6:52 am | In Travel Tips, tips, travel | Leave a Comment
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Remember that diner scene in Reservoir Dogs? The gang was having an argument on whether to tip or not to tip Incidentally, when you’re traveling, you will come across a bevy of service people who are there to make your lives so much more easier. I think I’ve mentioned tipping several times in this blog already, and there’s good reason. It works.

You ask yourself, wait, isn’t it part of their job to make my life easier? Why do I have to pay extra?

As a traveler, life is not easy. At the very worst, you’ll be doing everything by yourself, planning, getting tickets, getting on a flight and whatnot … and then you’ll still have to do it on the way back. Doormen, the concierge, busboys, waiters, room service, stylists, massage therapists, cabbies, etc, are there to help you through each part of your trip. From getting to where you ought to be, to carrying your luggage, these people work for a modest salary, and your tip motivates them to work harder for you.

There are only a couple of rules to follow when tipping:

Why tip? If you get really good service with a smile, like, say, a waiter who was there at your every beck and call, leave a good 15% tip. Lousy service? Still leave a tip, about 10% and then never take service from that person again. (Stylist, cab driver)

Budget budget. Some establishment already have service charge. While you’re not required to leave a tip, if you’re genuinely pleased with something that someone does for you, leave a tip — just don’t go overboard. Upon computation, if you add up all the people you have to tip on a trip, it’ll cost a fortune! For small favors, you don’t have to leave 15%, hand the guy a buck or two, and you’re good!

Customs, customs. In some countries, tipping is actually not customary. Grab a country guide when you’re in so-and-so country, to find out if a tip is needed or not.

7 Questions To Keep You From Being A Wallflower

May 1, 2008 at 3:01 am | In tips | 4 Comments
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Parties (and by ‘parties,’ I mean the kind where alcohol, music and young, hopefully-single socialites are thrown together in one venue) are bizarre social gatherings where, you might’ve been reluctant to go, but afterwards, you wouldn’t have wanted to miss out. When you’re the organizer of one, it’s a constant bi*ch — the pressure of everyone having a good time is on you. When you’re a friend of the one who threw the party (you’re a plus one!); if everyone’s having a good time, you get good rep for being friends with the kind of people who throw wicked parties — if it starts to suck, you stick around like flypaper while evading questions on how you know the freaks who threw the sucky party. If, you’re attending a shindig all-alone, be it, invited or gatecrashing, your task is to charm other people into being your allies for the night.

Usually, if someone doesn’t know something, they should ask, right? Here are 7 questions you could ask in a party, whoever you are.

Organizer:

Are you guys having fun? – You don’t even have to let people know that you threw the party, what’s important is finding out how people are enjoying your party (or not!).

Who are you guys with? – If your party is by invites-only, this is a covert way of asking if someone’s crashing. Plus, it’s also doubles as a way of getting to know your guests and new friends by who they’re associated with in your social circle.

Plus Ones: (aka Friends of attendees)

Who threw this awesome party? – One, the party doesn’t have to be awesome to ask this, two, well, it’s a nice way to get to know who’s responsible if you’re gonna have a good time or not, plus, they might remember you the next time they throw a party.

Who’s that girl / guy? – You’re in the party, he/she’s in the party, it’s only natural that you mingle, right? Remember to call dibs first!

Solo Mission / Gatecrasher:

Where are the drinks? – If you get in a party and there are loads of people, you’ll stand out as the only one not holding a drink. This is important, of course, since you’re going to go in under the radar, infiltrating a party.

“May I take this dance?” or, also known as, bump the hot stranger, initiate eye contact and start dancing with them. – If you get a reaction that looks like a frowny emoticon, slowly back away, dancing; If you get a smile, or a dance back, get cozy in there! If you’re a bit on the shy side, tap someone lightly and most of the time, they’ll be the ones who’ll do all the talking.

When’s the next one? – This is a great compliment to a party that managed to kick your ass, and also, it makes the party-throwers feel that they’ve done their best for this planet. And, well, you get to find out when the next one’s gonna be, so you could prepare with a date next time!

That “oomph!” Effect: Inexpensive Ways to Get That Celebrity Aura

April 29, 2008 at 6:31 am | In tips | 8 Comments
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Ever wonder how some people just have that “oomph!” effect? Like an aura, or a presence, something you just can’t explain when they’re around? They’re always in the VIP area of the hottest clubs, lines aren’t anything to them, and well, you just get that warm and fuzzy feeling when they talk to you.

It’s called the “halo effect.” People who are best in exuding their best qualities are always looked up on. But think about it, you’re both people … what’s the big difference?

Here are a couple of inexpensive ways to exude that “oomph!” effect.

Smile like you mean it. Notice what you automatically perceive from people with braces. You could instantly presume that they could afford such things. Notice celebrity smiles — they’re always like a toothpaste commercial in the making. It’s never about having perfect teeth, but more on having SPARKLY WHITE teeth. There are various whiteners in the market, plus, having your teeth whitened professionally might sting, but it won’t cost as much as having braces put on.

Godlike stature. Part of the appeal is the height. When you loom over people, they tend to literally look up to you. If you’re a little on the short side, try bigger gestures. Spread your arms, keep your legs apart and what not. Wearing vertical stripes doesn’t hurt either.

Reservation nation. Notice why VIP’s don’t have to fall in line? It’s because they’ve cultivated a large number of contacts over the years as socialites that most things are usually free for ‘em. Plus this doesn’t just apply to clubs, this goes for everything — restaurants, movies even traveling! For restaurants, you call ahead, for movies, you either drop by the theater a few weeks in advance, or try looking for their website. For trips, you could try various booking services. (Remember to tip your waiter!)

Clothes that make the woman. (Or man, fine!) Make sure your clothes are clean, well-pressed, creases (if you like office pants / pant-suits to make you look taller) are straight and buttons aren’t missing. Look out for loose threads and tears and you’ll look fresh.

Follow these tips and pretty soon you’ll notice people feeling your presence. Finally, and most importantly, it’s the attitude! If you feel like a winner, think like a winner, how does a winner breathe, walk and such, then you’ll be a natural. Smile!

8 Things A Girl Can Do in Her Alone Time

April 2, 2008 at 3:41 am | In tips | 8 Comments
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Friday night, everyone’s out partying, drinking, having the time of their lives … and where are you? At home, feeling like you’ve outgrown all of these juvenile partying. Obviously, there’s nothing wrong with having a little fun, but now that you’re alone at home, by yourself, while every single one of your friends is out there, what do you do? I mean, watching a movie alone or eating in a restaurant facing an empty chair is depressing enough, why make your very own home as depressing? Though you must admit, even if you have tons of friends, a boyfriend and family, the only way to become a truly multilayered person is by doing things on your own.

Here are a couple of suggestions for those “stay-at-home” situations:

Zen time – You could do your work-outs / meditation / yoga / dance with matching instructionalalone time DVD without the hassle of people watching your butt while you do ‘em! Yes, you may now do Hip Hop Abs without awkward looks!

Blog time – Go on over to wordpress.com and start up a blog! Write down things you find profound, write about your great friends, or your beau. It’s also a great outlet for stress and creativity.

Vacation time – Plan a surprise trip for your boy, friends and family online! Just imagine their surprise after partying that, by the next week-end, you’d be off to some paradise for quality time.

Pampering time – Time to take that extra long bath tub fun. Add a couple of candles and aromas to the mix, and you’ve got a party! Throw in that nice hair treatment, or even just your plain old conditioner! There’s no rush!

cheesy movieCheesy time – Time to rent that movie you’ve secretly been dying to see! The one you were too ashamed to admit that you wanted to watch with your beau in the theaters. Plus, you could laugh your brains out, and no one would mind!

Cleaning time – Cleaning up the house is a spiritual experience. If a home truly is the extension of your being, then keeping it clean by scrubbing, vacuuming, mopping and sweeping would certainly project the person living there!

Rest time – Catching up with overdue rest and relaxation from the week’s hustle and bustle never did hurt anyone, plus, it’s bound to make you the only one feeling refreshed after the weekend.

Catch-Up time – Work work work. No one will expect it, plus, it’ll give you a lead on the week ahead. You may also catch up with your studies, or research, or your reading. There’s just no better way of doing better at your job than actually doing it!

Time spent on your own is usually the best time to focus on your own, personal growth, though it doesn’t mean that you aren’t concerned with the people in your life. I mean, solo time is also a time to look back and reflect reflect on the blessings that are the people in your life. Just make sure you have a fun solo night!

How about you? What do you do on your “alone time” (whether you’re a man or a lady), do share! :)

 

Gift Ideas by Occupation

March 18, 2008 at 1:50 am | In tips | Leave a Comment
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(No, that’s no typo in the title, it’s supposed to be occupation, not occassion.)

My last entry was about gifts for the special men in our lives. Though most of the suggestions were generic, I had a thought — what of the men of profession? Would a pilot appreciate the gift of flight? Would a chef appreciate a dinner somewhere? Surprisingly, you could either go the direction of the man’s profession, or you could completely go the opposite way.

Here are a couple of suggestions for some of your father’s, brother’s or lover’s profession.

Photographer – My daddy’s a photography hobbyist, so he knows his cameras. Picture frames? We have those. Lenses? Too expensive. He collects the serious hardware, so you know what I got him? A toy camera! I got him one of those neat Holgas. The prices are pretty reasonable, plus, he’s gonna appreciate the old school ways of low-fi. (He loved it.)

Doctor – Obviously they are on call 25/8. The small little breaks they get are pretty important to them. Why not send him off? Far, far away into the Caribbean? Package deals are pretty good in that you could schedule exactly when you’ll be somewhere, and how long you’ll be staying. So he could be off to a vacation spot, and hopefully not for a seminar.

Chef – These guys are amazing — make the mistake of taking them to a restaurant where their tastebuds would rate everything bland? They’ll cook you up! So instead, a homecooked meal that YOU yourself prepare is something they can appreciate far more. And, hot girl, plus toque and apron? Yummy.

The Artiste – This guy could be a painter, sculptor, or musician. And if you think about it, art is keeping tradition alive, while creating something new out of it. A touch of the old-world charm’s bound to appeal to them. For artists, scour your local used-bookstore for some big old art book. They’re a bargain in those places. For the musician — pick out his favorite album (ever) and get him a copy on vinyl. He’ll love it.

Programmer / IT Guy – Yeah, gotta love these types! It’s a bit obvious but, most of these guys love their tech! And their sci-fi! Whether “Wars” or “Trek,” or whichever “Star”-based space opera they subscribe to, they’re bound to have collections of either DVDs, books, toys or other paraphernalia. Best suggestion is, instead of getting them any of those, spend some time for a DVD-marathon. Because most prolly if you get ‘em any of the media related to the fiction, they might already have it, and you’ll end up with a “i-have-this-already-but-thanks-anyway” look. If you get ‘em a gadget instead, it’s pretty easy to nitpick the tech specs of whatever you chose to give. And, it’s a big plus if you’re into it too, so spouting some obscure reference to that extra wearing an unusual alien costume in the outtake that didn’t make it to the final cut’s bound to make his head explode.

Those are actually a few professions from people I really do know, and they said they would really appreciate the suggestions. If you have any other professions that might require a specialized gift, hit me up, and we’ll think of something. :)

How to Play Mind Games with Your Boyfriend

March 6, 2008 at 3:12 am | In tips | 17 Comments
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lets play some mind gamesI’ve already written how to become the woman of his dreams. Now it’s time to have some fun. Pushing buttons is my favorite thing in a relationship — it’s incredibly personal, and it’s like an inside joke between the two of you!

WARNING: This is only recommended for the fun/frivolous dynamic couple types — if either one of you is easily rattled by change, then this isn’t for you.

Now, my idea for a relationship is 90% fun, 10% serious business. Your lives are entwined for a sometimes-brief or, sometimes-surprisingly-long amount of time. So it’s really your call if you’re still up for little tests to bring out some spice in a relationship, or finally just settling. Your problems are his, and his problems are yours. The fun part is annoying your boy-toy without becoming part of his problems. These would either drive him wild, or make him start remembering why he likes you in the first place. The purpose of these naughty schemes is finding out a little truth, and just plain punishment. We’re all wired to avoid pain and pursue pleasure, what if both stem from one person? This makes you hard to read, and not easily taken for granted. Now for some sexy saboteur-work!

Make demands when you know he’s busiest. After a hard day at work, he has a basketball game with his friends — ask him to come over with something after that, like, a cupcake, or the latest issue of your favorite magazine. If he, blessed with some amount of extra energy, does come by, give him a “goodnight and go.” If, say, he has a week for a vacation, occupy it by asking him to go some place, say, like La Samanna.

This little exercise tells you one of two things: is he flexible enough to surrender to a torrid terrorist, or is he just “too tired” to even see you? Don’t make this a determinant on whether or not you get to keep the guy, (if it’s a relationship, then you’re both entitled to co-ownership status, right?) it’s just a test. J (PS. Don’t do this if his busy-ness stems from family matters.)

Become a mistress for detail. Remember what he says about certain things, then quote him on it when he’s about to do the opposite. Like, for example, he says, “you’re the first thing on my mind when I wake up.” — give him a 3 am-wake up call and ask him what’s on his mind. If he says something like, “it’s 3 am!,” banter with, “I thought I’m the first thing on your mind when you wake up?”

Given, you may have caught him off-guard, but, does that mean that when caught off-guard, what he says and what he does are two different things?!

Hot and cold. Become hot or cold water based on … anything. I have this bad feeling when things get too good sometimes. Create a little drama. (Just a little, mind you.) Be amused at a small gesture he does for you (something you genuinely appreciate, I hope!) and reward him by being crazy for him that day. (This’ll surprise him.) Next day, just be cold.

For some reason, (and hopefully everyone can relate) when you act cold, it is magically assumed that you’re angry over something. If he gets guilty — why? Is there something to be guilty about? And what, girls aren’t allowed to be moody?!

Be open to bribes though, they’re fun to receive.

This was written as retaliation for some boy-crimes. (You know what they are!) Plus, I’ve been swept off my feet more than a couple of times already! These are for finding out some little facts about your boy-toy. Don’t let these be a measure on whether or not a relationship is worth keeping. (Make it a footnote!)

 

Live Happily Ever After: Celeb Jinxed Honeymoon Spots to Avoid

February 20, 2008 at 1:14 am | In Travel Tips, travel | 2 Comments
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Okay, so you and your honey managed to survive the bloody Valentine, it’s either a.) you had a fun date/adventure/proposal or b.)ended up pretending it was “just another day.” But what if you were already engaged? Would you follow “b” so as not to jinx that special day, or would you choose “a,” which, in essence is displaying loads of affection in public, knowing that a day for uniting two people will arrive, all the while not knowing how long it’d last?

At first glance, it would seem like the people who chose “a” are the affectionate ones, “two-against-the-world-love-is-all-we-need” types, while those who chose “b” are the paranoid ones, the ones in denial. Know what though? People are often paranoid because they’re careful. They take their sweet time on making a decision, and they evade the things that would only hinder them from their goal.

When it comes to making important decisions after weddings, the location for the honeymoon is right up there in the top three. If people only knew that the location for the honeymoon would be such a determinant in the future of their relationships, then the following places must be checked, double-checked and re-evaluated. Some celebs have gone to them, and, well, they’re not together anymore. Here’s a list of ex-celeb couples, and their honeymoon destinations.

Solange Knowles and Daniel Smith – Word about Beyonce’s little sister being pregnant way back in 2004 was followed with news that she was to marry then-boyfriend Daniel Smith. They had their 2004 wedding at Old Bahama Bay resort in the Bahamas, for that tropical honeymoon. Guess what? A couple of months later, they were filing for divorce.

J.Lo and Cris Judd – We wanted to be happy for them. Really. Really, really, really. (But deep in our dark hearts, we knew it wouldn’t last anyway. The short-lived couple spent their honeymoon at Lake Como (Italy) and Milan. After 8 short months, the couple split.

Little Church of the westAngelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton – It was one of those … May-December affairs. She was 25, he was 55. She’s Lara Croft, and, later on, he would be Bad Santa. Lots of naughty bits there — but wait, there’s more! The couple was noted for their extreme displays of affection and eccentric behavior. (There were rumors that they carried each others’ blood in vials around their necks.) Along with the usual, out-of-the-blue adoption thing. Being congruent with their eccentricities, they went and got “hitched” in the world-famous Little Church of the West in Vegas. Well, if Ms. Croft and Bad Santa can’t make a Vegas-wedding work, who can? (added: here are other Vegas couples, who aren’t, well, together anymore: Noel Gallagher & Meg Matthews, David Cassidy & Kay Lenz and Judy Garland & Mark Herron, all were “hitched” in the same chapel.

Paul McCartney and Heather Mills – Beatles, or Wings, it doesn’t exclude Paul McCartney from suffering the same fate. After their wedding in Ireland, the couple went to a private island getaway in the Fregate Islands. News about settlement and what-not still rage on in the tv screens.

There you have it. Celebrity or not, maybe honeymoon locations play a more vital role than any of us has ever imagined? Who knows, maybe to keep your honey, you have to steer clear of the following.

Extreme Old-Worldly Romantic Gestures

February 15, 2008 at 9:26 am | In tips, travel | Leave a Comment
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Any bloke can give make a romantic gesture. What’s even more romantic is taking it to the extremes — adding mystery, suspense and adventure to that unique gesture of appreciation for someone. Here are a couple of my ideas for mixing excitement with pleasure, adding that now-slightly-missing old-world charm.

Skydiving – What could be more fun than hurling yourself and a loved one off a 30,000 altitude fall at 120 mph? You could add a twist by proposing on your way down, or leave out giant letters for her to read from that height. (Look for places to skydive, instructions and whatnot here.)

Horse-Carriage Ride – Whenever you’re visiting a new place, or town, try asking if they have horse-carriage rentals. It’s a nice way to get to know a new place, plus, how many of you have actually been able to ride a carriage???

Cruise – In the old days, only the privileged were able to take leisurely cruises. For the most part, if you were in the lower class, you’d be unfortunate enough to be bunking with several other traveling parties in small spaces. Today, cruises are not only a lot more affordable, traveling conditions have also vastly improved, with the onboard entertainment, and various safety precautions that would ensure a worry-free ride.

Parkour – So your girl’s a sexy-saboteur-type.  You might like this activity.  The art of parkour is getting from place to place really fast, using just the body.  Becoming Traceurs (that’s what parkour practitioners call themselves) together might help you in practicing pulling off an imaginary heist.

How to Be the Woman of his Dreams

February 13, 2008 at 12:32 am | In tips | 14 Comments
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So you’ve managed to snag the boy of your dreams. He could be the boy next door, happy valentines daythe quarterback, the intellectual or the starving artist type, it doesn’t matter. There are things that guys like that are universal.

Being in a relationship is like having a business partnership. You get less value for what you put in, (or if he gets less value than his efforts?) bad deal. If you get the exact amount of compensation from your efforts, it’s just fair. But what really wins him over, like a business partner, is the token of appreciation. These “incentives” are the little things that are usually not required, but is still nice to receive every once in a while.

You may be a queen, or a down-to-earth diva, it doesn’t even matter. What matters in a good partnership is the solidarity of the team, having the knowledge that your partner’s goals are in alignment with yours means that every time you put in that extra bit of effort, you can expect a healthy and long-lasting investment coming your way.

Men like being nurtured. This much is true. Men will be, at least once in their lives, a leader of something. As good as that sounds on paper, that means that, even for once in a man’s life, he will become a man among his peers — and lead them. That’s the way their fathers would raise them, and during those years, it is their mothers or their lovers that will give them the comfort and strength to be able to handle that burden. Cook him a meal (optional: drop by his office/school unannounced to bring lunch over), pick out some nice threads for him when you’re out shopping or send him an IM or a text to remind him how much you love him, or miss him. This would make him feel that you’re there to support his needs, and that you’re always looking out for his best interest.

Men like to dominate, and be dominated, depending on … nothing, really. Men are beautifully complicated creatures. They have arrogance streaks, as well as just “bad days.” (And they call women fickle. What’s up with that?) If you are the queen to his king, it won’t hurt to put away the crown a bit to follow his whims every so often. If you’re the down-to-earth type, however, nothing would turn a man on than showing him your strong feminine side. This shouldn’t be confused to being a strict dominatrix or subservient wench, but the sexy interchange of the two. This’d be something he wouldn’t see coming, and having a partner who knows when to be which is something a man can truly appreciate.

Men and “manlove.” However long he’s pined for you, be it months or years, you have to accept that he will have cultivated a special brotherhood with his guy friends. If he says that “he’ll be out with the boys,” you have to be secure enough with yourself that he’s not doing it to get away from you, it’s more of him getting to hang around with his friends. Admitted, us girls have this tendency to drive a wedge between him and his friends, so allowing him to have that will be a big deal. It’s no fun being the “nagging mom” who denies the kid from “coming out to play,” so being cool with guys being guys is something that he’ll be cool with. Besides, if they’re supposed to be his friends, then you will have probably have met them already. You and his friends are on the same team, looking out for your favorite man.

How to Not Bite Your Cubicle-Neighbor’s Head Off

February 6, 2008 at 4:31 pm | In tips | 6 Comments
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Super-stressed out!Rawr. Ever had one of those days when, smile as you might, things just don’t go the way you planned them?

Loads upon loads of work to do, tough e-mails to answer, customer woes (gotta love ‘em), the boss is having a bad day (gotta understand) … and oh, after all that, you have a couple of meetings to be late for, upon which, you’ll make the time agreed upon, while your client rings you that he’ll be late, or that he won’t be able to make it. Rawr.

Face it, it’s getting to you — you’re soul is slowly being sucked in by the mini-vacuum of the machine. This is horrible for the reason that, not only would the quality of work suffer, and besides, having a burn-out in your 20’s? That’s bound to age you horribly.

So unless you work in an environment where the slaughter of nearby cubicle-dwellers or little animals is tolerated (or encouraged! haha!) — you better have some means of coping.

Here’s a couple of things I do to make long days a bit more bearable:

Caffeine – It’s the ultimate sports drink for that all-nighter. ScientificIt’s the ultimate sports drink for that all-nighter. research has proven that it gives people a “lift,” meaning, takers of caffeine feel a lot more motivated. It has an added perk of decreasing depression and increased performance on repetitive tasks. (And how could be science be wrong?) Get some coffee, or a soda – it provides that kick to start your day. And yeah, old rules apply, anything too much? Bad, bad, bad wrong.

 

A Walk – Step out of the office, interact with people who aren’t your officemates. Take a walk around the block. A short walk outside the office environment will give you a natural refresher of what lies outside the workplace. And also, that walk works up a sweat. More muscles exerting effort = faster blood circulation. Faster blood circulation = more oxygen for the brain. This will help you think. (Besides, getting angry just uses up more energy for nothing,, and that lowers the IQ.) If possible: pass by gardens and stare at the leaves or the grass. The human eye can only stare at something long enough before it needs rest. Looking at something other than your computer monitor all day is a must.

There’s a reason it’s called comfort food.Comfort food – There’s a reason it’s called comfort food. (Clue: It brings comfort!) Grab your favorite flavor of ice cream during a break, or eat your favorite food during lunch. That’ll most certainly help in making you think that, outside the world of working, there’re tons more good things in life. Pro-tip: If you see an office friend having a hard time, ask that friend out on your break, or, better yet, surprise that buddy with some take out. They will thank you for it, and who knows, maybe next time you’re having a bad day, a cone of your favorite might start walking your way.

Of course, walking away is the easiest path out. If you’ve lost heart in what you do, then maybe it’s time to look for something better anyway

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