“
Grief turns out to be a place none of us know until we reach it. We anticipate (we know) that someone close to us could die, but we do not look beyond the few days or weeks that immediately follow such an imagined death. We misconstrue the nature of even those few days or weeks. We might expect if the death is sudden to feel shock. We do not expect the shock to be obliterative, dislocating to both body and mind. We might expect that we will be prostrate, inconsolable, crazy with loss. We do not expect to be literally crazy, cool customers who believe that their husband is about to return and need his shoes. In the version of grief we imagine, the model will be "healing." A certain forward movement will prevail. The worst days will be the earliest days. We imagine that the moment to most severely test us will be the funeral, after which this hypothetical healing will take place. When we anticipate the funeral we wonder about failing to "get through it," rise to the occasion, exhibit the "strength" that invariably gets mentioned as the correct response to death. We anticipate needing to steel ourselves the for the moment: will I be able to greet people, will I be able to leave the scene, will I be able even to get dressed that day? We have no way of knowing that this will not be the issue. We have no way of knowing that the funeral itself will be anodyne, a kind of narcotic regression in which we are wrapped in the care of others and the gravity and meaning of the occasion. Nor can we know ahead of the fact (and here lies the heart of the difference between grief was we imagine it and grief as it is) the unending absence that follows, the void, the very opposite of meaning, the relentless succession of moments during which we will confront the experience of meaninglessness itself.
”
”
Joan Didion (The Year of Magical Thinking)
“
There is a proper way to greet the sentinels in Ceris, certain patterns and forms that you must observe when presented to Queen Islanzadí, and a hundred different manners in which to greet those around you, if it’s not better to just remain quiet.”
“With all your customs,” Eragon risked saying, “it seems as though you’ve only made it easier to offend people.”
A smile flickered across her lips. “Perhaps.
”
”
Christopher Paolini (Eldest (The Inheritance Cycle, #2))
“
His in-house intercom greeted him with a cheery 'Welcome home, Bart,' and his server droid - custom-made to replicate Princess Leia, classic 'Star Wars,' slave-girl mode (he was a nerd, but he was still a guy) - strolled out to offer him his favorite orange fizzy with crushed ice.
”
”
J.D. Robb (Fantasy in Death (In Death, #30))
“
And the plunder was not just of Prince alone. Think of all the love poured into him. Think of the tuitions for Montessori and music lessons. Think of the gasoline expended, the treads worn carting him to football games, basketball tournaments, and Little League. Think of all the time spent regulating sleepovers. Think of the surprise birthday parties, the daycare, and the reference checks on babysitters. Think of World Book and Childcraft. Think of checks written for family photos. Think of credit cards charged for vacations. Think of soccer balls, science kits, chemistry sets, racetracks, and model trains. Think of all the embraces, all the private jokes, customs, greetings, names, dreams, all the shared knowledge and capacity of a black family injected into that vessel of flesh and bone. And think of how that vessel was taken, shattered on the concrete, and all its holy contents, all that had gone into him, sent flowing back to the earth.
”
”
Ta-Nehisi Coates (Between the World and Me)
“
I wonder, for example, if the twins’ piano training had given them the Tomaini brand of dexterity with hand jobs? Could a non-musician learn it? Could I?
Children stumble through these most critical acts with no real help from the elders who are so anxious to teach them everything else. We were given rules and taboos for the toilet, the sneeze, the eating of an artichoke. Papa taught us all a particular brush stroke for cleaning our teeth, a special angle for the pen in our hand, the exact words for greeting elders, with fine-tuned distinctions for male, female, show folk, customers, or tradesmen. The twins and Arty were taught to design an act, whether it lasted three minutes or thirty, to tease, coax, and startle a crowd, to build to crescendo and then disappear in the instant of climax. From what I have come to understand of life, this show skill, this talk-’em, sock-’em, knock-’em-flat information, is as close as we got to that ultimate mystery. I throw death aside. Death is not mysterious. We all understand death far too well and spend chunks of life resisting, ignoring, or explaining away that knowledge.
But this real mystery I have never touched, never scratched. I’ve seen the tigers with their jaws wide, their fangs buried in each other’s throats, and their shadowed hides sizzling, tip to tip. I’ve seen the young norms tangled and gasping in the shadows between booths. I suspect that, even if I had begun as a norm, the saw-toothed yearning that whirls in me would bend me and spin me colorless, shrink me, scorch every hair from my body, and all invisibly so only my red eyes would blink out glimpses of the furnace thing inside. In fact, I smell the stench of longing so clearly in the streets that I’m surprised there are not hundreds exactly like me on every corner.
”
”
Katherine Dunn (Geek Love)
“
There are kisses and kisses. Some are given in sport and some in passion. There are formal kisses of greeting and departure, and there are perfunctory pecks of accustomed affection. Once in a great while lips meet and two spirits merge for a time and the universe is right and complete and the planets wheel in their proper places. Once in a while the lonely, broken spirit of man is healed and made whole. For a while his quest is over and his questions are answered.
”
”
Robert A. Heinlein (For Us, the Living: A Comedy of Customs)
“
I don’t think any other retail company in the world could do what I’m going to propose to you. It’s simple. It won’t cost us anything. And I believe it would just work magic, absolute magic on our customers, and our sales would escalate, and I think we’d just shoot past our Kmart friends in a year or two and probably Sears as well. I want you to take a pledge with me. I want you to promise that whenever you come within ten feet of a customer, you will look him in the eye, greet him, and ask him if you can help him. Now I know some of you are just naturally shy, and maybe don’t want to bother folks. But if you’ll go along with me on this, it would, I’m sure, help you become a leader. It would help your personality develop, you would become more outgoing, and in time you might become manager of that store, you might become a department manager, you might become a district manager, or whatever you choose to be in the company. It will do wonders for you. I guarantee it. Now, I want you to raise your right hand—and remember what we say at Wal-Mart, that a promise we make is a promise we keep—and I want you to repeat after me: From this day forward, I solemnly promise and declare that every time a customer comes within ten feet of me, I will smile, look him in the eye, and greet him. So help me Sam.
”
”
Sam Walton (Sam Walton: Made In America)
“
Love is a figment of our imagination; becoming whatever we wish it to be. We customized our feelings to control love, resembling a wind being tossed about whichever way it suits us. Love is a game for the fittest, if you are weak at heart it will destroy you, it will blemish your soul. Love is another religion with a massive following that needs faith to believe that its tangible. This phenomenal Love we hunger for has become our heaven and hell, that we've created for ourselves. Love is an expression we hope to be conceived in, however having no genuine desire to partake in its birthing process, for the reason being that we know the minute love gives birth to us; death would be the first to greet us with a kiss upon our trembling lips of hopes. In conclusion Love is a fickle little thing
”
”
Micheline Jean Louis
“
I soon learned that everyone in Paris was like that. You would go into a bakery and be greeted by some vast sluglike creature with a look that told you you would never be friends. In halting French you would ask for a small loaf of bread. The woman would give you a long, cold stare and then put a dead beaver on the counter. “No, no,” you would say, hands aflutter, “not a dead beaver. A loaf of bread.” The sluglike creature would stare at you in patent disbelief, then turn to the other customers and address them in French at much too high a speed for you to follow, but the drift of which clearly was that this person here, this American tourist, had come in and asked for a dead beaver and she had given him a dead beaver and now he was saying that he didn’t want a dead beaver at all, he wanted a loaf of bread. The other customers would look at you as if you had just tried to fart in their handbags, and you would have no choice but to slink away and console yourself with the thought that in another four days you would be in Brussels and probably able to eat again.
”
”
Bill Bryson (Neither Here Nor There: Travels in Europe)
“
This story takes place a half a billion years ago-an inconceivably long time ago, when this planet would be all but recognizable to you. Nothing at all stirred on the land except the wind and the dust. Not a single blade of grass waved in the wind, not a single cricket chirped, not a single bird soared in the sky. All these things were tens of millions of years away in the future.
But of course there was an anthropologist on hand. What sort of world would it be without an anthropologist? He was, however a very depressed and disillusioned anthropologist, for he'd been everywhere on the planet looking for someone to interview, and every tape in his knapsack was as blank as the sky. But one day as he was moping alongside the ocean he saw what seemed to be a living creature in the shallows off shore. It was nothing to brag about, just sort of a squishy blob, but it was the only prospect he'd seen in all his journeys, so he waded out to where it was bobbing in the waves.
He greeted the creature politely and was greeted in kind, and soon the two of them were good friends. The anthropologist explained as well as he could that he was a student of life-styles and customs, and begged his new friend for information of this sort, which was readily forthcoming. ‘And now’, he said at last, ‘I'd like to get on tape in your own words some of the stories you tell among yourselves.’
‘Stories?’ the other asked.
‘You know, like your creation myth, if you have one.’
‘What is a creation myth?’ the creature asked.
‘Oh, you know,’ the anthropologist replied, ‘the fanciful tale you tell your children about the origins of the world.’
Well, at this, the creature drew itself up indignantly- at least as well as a squishy blob can do- and replied that his people had no such fanciful tale.
‘You have no account of creation then?’
‘Certainly we have an account of creation,’ the other snapped. ‘But its definitely not a myth.’
‘Oh certainly not,’ the anthropologist said, remembering his training at last. ‘Ill be terribly grateful if you share it with me.’
‘Very well,’ the creature said. ‘But I want you to understand that, like you, we are a strictly rational people, who accept nothing that is not based on observation, logic, and scientific method.’
‘"Of course, of course,’ the anthropologist agreed.
So at last the creature began its story. ‘The universe,’ it said, ‘was born a long, long time ago, perhaps ten or fifteen billion years ago. Our own solar system-this star, this planet, and all the others- seem to have come into being some two or three billion years ago. For a long time, nothing whatever lived here. But then, after a billion years or so, life appeared.’
‘Excuse me,’ the anthropologist said. ‘You say that life appeared. Where did that happen, according to your myth- I mean, according to your scientific account.’
The creature seemed baffled by the question and turned a pale lavender. ‘Do you mean in what precise spot?’
‘No. I mean, did this happen on land or in the sea?’
‘Land?’ the other asked. ‘What is land?’
‘Oh, you know,’ he said, waving toward the shore, ‘the expanse of dirt and rocks that begins over there.’
The creature turned a deeper shade of lavender and said, ‘I cant imagine what you're gibbering about. The dirt and rocks over there are simply the lip of the vast bowl that holds the sea.’
‘Oh yes,’ the anthropologist said, ‘I see what you mean. Quite. Go on.’
‘Very well,’ the other said. ‘For many millions of centuries the life of the world was merely microorganisms floating helplessly in a chemical broth. But little by little, more complex forms appeared: single-celled creatures, slimes, algae, polyps, and so on.’
‘But finally,’ the creature said, turning quite pink with pride as he came to the climax of his story, ‘but finally jellyfish appeared!
”
”
Daniel Quinn (Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit (Ishmael, #1))
“
...when a society or a civilization perishes, one condition may always be found. They forgot where they came from. They lost sight of what brought them along. The hard beginnings were forgotten and the struggles farther along. They became satisfied with themselves. Unity and common understanding there had been, enough to overcome rot and dissolution, enough to break through their obstacles. But the mockers came. And the deniers were heard. And vision and hope faded. And the custom of greeting became "What's the use?" And men whose forefathers would go anywhere, holding nothing impossible in the genius of man, joined the mockers and the deniers. They lost sight of what brought them along.
”
”
Carl Sandburg
“
Grief turns out to be a place none of us know until we reach it...We might expect that we will be prostrate, inconsolable, crazy with loss. We do not expect to be literally crazy, cool customers who believe that their husband is about to return and need his shoes. In the version of grief we imagine, the model will be 'healing.' A Certain forward movement will prevail. The worst days will be the earliest days. We imagine that the moment to most severely test us will be the funeral, after which this hypothetical healing will take place. When we anticipate the funeral we wonder about failing to 'get through it,' rise to the occasion, exhibit the 'strength' that invariably gets mentioned as the correct response to death. We anticipate needing to steel ourselves for the moment: will I be able to greet people, will I be able to leave the scene, will I be able even to get dressed that day? We have no way of knowing that this will not be the issue. We have no way of knowing that the funeral itself will be anodyne, a kind of narcotic regression in which we are wrapped in the care of others and the gravity and meaning of the occasion. Nor can we know ahead of the fact the unending absence that follows, the void, the very opposite of meaning, the relentless succession of moments during which we will confront the experience of meaninglessness itself.
”
”
Joan Didion
“
His eyes grow behind the mask, no longer bottomless holes with a direct view of hell. But what greets me is worse. A dash of sadistic blue stares me down, like my own custom-made curse. My face doesn’t feel like my own as he rotates it from one side to the other. “You look…positively stunning. A doll. No, a statue.
”
”
Rina Kent (God of Ruin (Legacy of Gods, #4))
“
Think of all the love poured into him. Think of the tuitions for Montessori and music lessons. Think of the gasoline expended, the treads worn carting him to football games, basketball tournaments, and Little League. Think of the time spent regulating sleepovers. Think of the surprise birthday parties, the daycare, and the reference checks on babysitters. Think of World Book and Childcraft. Think of checks written for family photos. Think of credit cards charged for vacations. Think of soccer balls, science kits, chemistry sets, racetracks, and model trains. Think of all the embraces, all the private jokes, customs, greetings, names, dreams, all the shared knowledge and capacity of a black family injected into that vessel of flesh and bone. And think of how that vessel was taken, shattered on the concrete, and all its holy contents, all that had gone into him, sent flowing back to the earth. Think of your mother, who had no father. And your grandmother, who was abandoned by her father. And your grandfather, who was left behind by his father. And think of how Prince's daughter was now drafted into those solemn ranks and deprived of her birthright — that vessel which was her father, which brimmed with twenty-five years of love and was the investment of her grandparents and was to be her legacy.
”
”
Ta-Nehisi Coates
“
Faced with this disparity, Netflix stopped asking people to tell them what they wanted to see in the future and started building a model based on millions of clicks and views from similar customers. The company began greeting its users with suggested lists of films based not on what they claimed to like but on what the data said they were likely to view. The result: customers visited Netflix more frequently and watched more movies. “The algorithms know you better than you know yourself,” says Xavier Amatriain, a former data scientist at Netflix.
”
”
Seth Stephens-Davidowitz (Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are)
“
If we want to make friends, let’s greet people with animation and enthusiasm. When somebody calls you on the telephone use the same psychology. Say “Hello” in tones that bespeak how pleased YOU are to have the person call. Many companies train their telephone operators to greet all callers in a tone of voice that radiates interest and enthusiasm. The caller feels the company is concerned about them. Let’s remember that when we answer the telephone tomorrow. Showing a genuine interest in others not only wins friends for you, but may develop in its customers a loyalty to your company.
”
”
Dale Carnegie (How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie: Building Lasting Relationships and Achieving Success (Illustrated))
“
...wandered into a shoe store. A lone customer stood at the display rack, turning the shoes over, one after another, to look at their soles. Jessica recalled the proverb "Hell is a stylish shoe." A salesman greeted her at the door, a young man with a shaved head and a black turtleneck. Too intimate from the start, he held each selection so close to her face that she had to lean back to get a better look. She felt his breath as he pressed some studded sparkly sneakers on her. Jessica found it fascinating that he thought she would want these, or the next pair he held up--stiletto-heeled jobs that seemed lewd, as did his smirk. The salesman didn't conceal his disappointment when she bought a pair of marked-down Vera Wang flats. She bought them because they seemed so pedestrian. Men preferred women teetering so she chose to walk like a Neanderthal.
”
”
Thomas McGuane (Crow Fair: Stories)
“
Grief turns out to be a place none of us know until we reach it. We anticipate (we know) that someone close to us could die, but we do not look beyond the few days or weeks that immediately follow such an imagined death. We misconstrue the nature of even those few days or weeks. We might expect if the death is sudden to feel shock. We do not expect this shock to be obliterative, dislocating to both body and mind. We might expect that we will be prostrate, inconsolable, crazy with loss. We do not expect to be literally crazy, cool customers who believe that their husband is about to return and need his shoes. In the version of grief we imagine, the model will be “healing.” A certain forward movement will prevail. The worst days will be the earliest days. We imagine that the moment to most severely test us will be the funeral, after which this hypothetical healing will take place. When we anticipate the funeral we wonder about failing to “get through it,” rise to the occasion, exhibit the “strength” that invariably gets mentioned as the correct response to death. We anticipate needing to steel ourselves for the moment: will I be able to greet people, will I be able to leave the scene, will I be able even to get dressed that day? We have no way of knowing that this will not be the issue. We have no way of knowing that the funeral itself will be anodyne, a kind of narcotic regression in which we are wrapped in the care of others and the gravity and meaning of the occasion. Nor can we know ahead of the fact (and here lies the heart of the difference between grief as we imagine it and grief as it is) the unending absence that follows, the void, the very opposite of meaning, the relentless succession of moments during which we will confront the experience of meaninglessness itself. A
”
”
Joan Didion (The Year of Magical Thinking)
“
He did not in the least wish the future Mrs. Newland Archer to be a simpleton. He meant her (thanks to his enlightening companionship) to develop a social tact and readiness of wit enabling her to hold her own with the most popular married women of the 'younger set,' in which it was the recognized custom to attract masculine homage while playfully discouraging it. If he had probed to the bottom of his vanity (as he sometimes nearly did) he would have found there the wish that his wife should be as worldly-wise and eager to please as the married lady whose charms had held his fancy through two mildly agitated years; without, of course, any hint of the frailty which had so nearly marred that unhappy being's life, and had disarranged his own plans for a whole winter.
How this miracle of fire and ice was to be created, and to sustain itself in a harsh world, he had never taken the time to think out; but he was content to hold his view without analyzing it, since he knew it was that of all the carefully-brushed, white-waistcoated, buttonhole-flowered gentlemen who succeeded each other in the club box, exchanged friendly greetings with him, and turned their opera-glasses critically on the circle of ladies who were the product of the system. In matters intellectual and artistic Newland Archer felt himself distinctly the superior of these chosen specimens of old New York gentility; he had probably read more, thought more, and even seen a good deal more of the world, than any other man of the number. Singly they betrayed their inferiority; but grouped together they represented 'New York,' and the habit of masculine solidarity made him accept their doctrine in all the issues called moral. He instinctively felt that in this respect it would be troublesome - and also rather bad form - to strike out for himself.
”
”
Edith Wharton (The Age of Innocence)
“
To me, Chicago was the bar in the twelfth-floor lobby of the Ritz-Carlton, where I drank strawberry daiquiris—sophisticated!—with my visiting parents and with girls I was trying to impress. It was the elegant shops at the new, fancy Water Tower Place. My favorite Chicago spots were primarily restaurants. Dianna’s Opaa, in Greektown on South Halsted Street, with its lanky, serpent-like owner, Petros Kogiones, performing his host duties that were as important as the food—on the nights he wasn’t there, you felt cheated—sliding back his sheet of long black hair to greet his female customers with an overly familiar kiss and their dates with a disarming, arms-flung-wide cry of “cousin!” then conducting his odd 9 p.m. ceremonies, calling up all the engaged couples to be officially blessed by Famous Petros in the name of God, the Greek Orthodox Church, and Dianna’s Opaa! We’d all cheer and raise our juice glasses of Roditis high. Or
”
”
Neil Steinberg (You Were Never in Chicago (Chicago Visions and Revisions))
“
I came from a place where everyone was friendly, where even funeral directors told you to have a nice day as you left to bury your grandmother – but I soon learned that everyone in Paris was [rude]. You would go into a bakery and be greeted by some vast slug-like creature with a look that told you you would never be friends. In halting French you would ask for a small loaf of bread. The woman would give you a long, cold stare and then put a dead beaver on the counter.
‘No, no,’ you would say, hands aflutter, ‘not a dead beaver. A loaf of bread.’
The slug-like creature would stare at you in patent disbelief, then turn to the other customers and address them in French at much too high a speed for you to follow, but the drift of which clearly was that this person here, this American tourist, had come in and asked for a dead beaver and she had given him a dead beaver and now he was saying that he didn’t want a dead beaver at all, he wanted a loaf of bread. The other customers would look at you as if you had just tried to fart in their handbags, and you would have no choice but to slink away and console yourself with the thought that in another four days you would be in Brussels and probably able to eat again.
”
”
Bill Bryson (Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe)
“
And it occurred to me then that
you would not escape, that
there were awful men
who’d laid plans for you,
and I could not stop them.
Prince Jones was the
superlative of all my fears.And if he, good Christian,
scion of a striving class,
patron saint of the twice as
good, could be forever
bound, who then could
not? And the plunder was
not just of Prince alone.
Think of all the love
poured into him. Think of
the tuitions for Montessori
and music lessons. Think
of the gasoline expended,
the treads worn carting
him to football games,
basketball tournaments,
and Little League. Think of
the time spent regulating
sleepovers. Think of the
surprise birthday parties,
the daycare, and the
reference checks on
babysitters. Think of
World Book and
Childcraft. Think of checks
written for family photos.
Think of credit cards
charged for vacations.
Think of soccer balls,
science kits, chemistry
sets, racetracks, and model
trains. Think of all the
embraces, all the private
jokes, customs, greetings,
names, dreams, all the
shared knowledge and
capacity of a black family
injected into that vessel of
flesh and bone. And think
of how that vessel was
taken, shattered on the
concrete, and all its holy
contents, all that had gone
into him, sent flowing back
to the earth.
”
”
Ta-Nehisi Coates
“
Then I got to the point: “I don’t think any other retail company in the world could do what I’m going to propose to you. It’s simple. It won’t cost us anything. And I believe it would just work magic, absolute magic on our customers, and our sales would escalate, and I think we’d just shoot past our Kmart friends in a year or two and probably Sears as well. I want you to take a pledge with me. I want you to promise that whenever you come within ten feet of a customer, you will look him in the eye, greet him, and ask him if you can help him. Now I know some of you are just naturally shy, and maybe don’t want to bother folks. But if you’ll go along with me on this, it would, I’m sure, help you become a leader. It would help your personality develop, you would become more outgoing, and in time you might become manager of that store, you might become a department manager, you might become a district manager, or whatever you choose to be in the company. It will do wonders for you. I guarantee it. Now, I want you to raise your right hand—and remember what we say at Wal-Mart, that a promise we make is a promise we keep—and I want you to repeat after me: From this day forward, I solemnly promise and declare that every time a customer comes within ten feet of me, I will smile, look him in the eye, and greet him. So help me Sam.
”
”
Sam Walton (Sam Walton: Made In America)
“
In a village quaint and bright, Lived a chef with great delight. Every morn, with break of day, He’d cook his meals, then he’d say
“Did you eat?” His voice so clear, Echoed far and echoed near. Neighbors smiled, children played, In his care, their hearts were laid.
One fine day, a stranger came, Hungry, tired, seeking fame. “Teach me, chef, your art so fine, I long to make my dishes shine.”
With a nod and knowing glance, The chef began the culinary dance. “First, you learn to truly care, For food is love, you must declare.”
Days turned weeks, the lessons flew, The stranger learned and friendships grew. But fame and glory filled his mind, Leaving care and love behind.
He opened a place, grand and vast, But love for food, a thing of the past. “Did you eat?” He’d never ask, Focused solely on his task.
DID YOU EAT?
Customers came, then soon they went, For something vital had been spent. Food was fine, but heart was cold,
A lesson learned, a tale retold.
Back he went, with heavy heart, To the chef who’d played his part. “Teach me now, what I have missed, For love and care, I have dismissed.”
The chef then smiled, wise and kind, “To care for others, open your mind. The food you make, with love instill, And hearts you’ll nourish, a void you’ll fill.”
“Did you eat?” He asked anew, And in that question, wisdom true. For food with love is more than treat, It’s a bond, a joy, a life complete.
So here’s the tale, both light and deep, A lesson strong for all to keep.
In every meal, in every greet,
Ask with love, “Did you eat?
”
”
Kindly NYC (Did You Eat? : A Global Journey Through Food, Care, and Connection)
“
Did You Eat?"
In a village quaint and bright,
Lived a chef with great delight.
Every morn, with break of day,
He’d cook his meals, then he’d say
“Did you eat?” His voice so clear,
Echoed far and echoed near.
Neighbors smiled, children played,
In his care, their hearts were laid.
One fine day, a stranger came,
Hungry, tired, seeking fame.
“Teach me, chef, your art so fine,
I long to make my dishes shine.”
With a nod and knowing glance,
The chef began the culinary dance.
“First, you learn to truly care,
For food is love, you must declare.”
Days turned weeks, the lessons flew,
The stranger learned and friendships grew.
But fame and glory filled his mind,
Leaving care and love behind.
He opened a place, grand and vast,
But love for food, a thing of the past.
“Did you eat?” He’d never ask,
Focused solely on his task.
Customers came, then soon they went,
For something vital had been spent.
Food was fine, but heart was cold,
A lesson learned, a tale retold.
Back he went, with heavy heart,
To the chef who’d played his part.
“Teach me now, what I have missed,
For love and care, I have dismissed.”
The chef then smiled, wise and kind,
“To care for others, open your mind.
The food you make, with love instill,
And hearts you’ll nourish, a void you’ll fill.”
“Did you eat?” He asked anew,
And in that question, wisdom true.
For food with love is more than treat,
It’s a bond, a joy, a life complete.
So here’s the tale, both light and deep,
A lesson strong for all to keep.
In every meal, in every greet,
Ask with love, “Did you eat?
”
”
Kindly NYC (Did You Eat? : A Global Journey Through Food, Care, and Connection)
“
Delbert was the only Bumpus kid in my grade, but they infested Warren G. Harding like termites in an outhouse. There was Ima Jean, short and muscular, who was in the sixth grade, when she showed up, but spent most of her time hanging around the poolroom. There was a lanky, blue-jowled customer they called Jamie, who ran the still and was the only one who ever wore shoes. He and his brother Ace, who wore a brown fedora and blue work shirts, sat on the front steps at home on the Fourth of July, sucking at a jug and pretending to light sticks of dynamite with their cigars when little old ladies walked by. There were also several red-faced girls who spent most of their time dumping dishwater out of windows. Babies of various sizes and sexes crawled about the back yard, fraternizing indiscriminately with the livestock. They all wore limp, battleship-gray T-shirts and nothing else. They cried day and night. We thought that was all of them—until one day a truck stopped in front of the house and out stepped a girl who made Daisy Mae look like Little Orphan Annie. My father was sprinkling the lawn at the time; he wound up watering the windows. Ace and Emil came running out onto the porch, whooping and hollering. The girl carried a cardboard suitcase—in which she must have kept all her underwear, if she owned any—and wore her blonde hair piled high on her head; it gleamed in the midday sun. Her short muslin dress strained and bulged. The truck roared off. Ace rushed out to greet her, bellowing over his shoulder as he ran: “MAH GAWD! HEY, MAW, IT’S CASSIE! SHE’S HOME FROM THE REFORMATORY!” Emil
”
”
Jean Shepherd (A Christmas Story: The Book That Inspired the Hilarious Classic Film)
“
Everyone around you is just doing their best to make it through today. Because tomorrow will come, and you have to repeat the same day over and over again. As a kid, you go into the grocery store, and it feels like a never-ending castle filled with different rooms. You feel like every time you enter, there’s always something new to discover. But as an adult, you’ll start to get mad when they change the aisles around because now you can't find the damn oranges! I never imagined that I would one day be employed in the magical grocery store my family and I went to every Saturday. I never imagined that the place I swore I’d never end up, would soon become the place where I was stuck. Emotionally and physically. As I watch customers trickle in and out, I create stories for each of them. The guy holding flowers and staring at his watch is probably late for a date. The young woman reading the get well soon greeting cards might have had someone close to her get hurt—or maybe they're sick. All the stories I create for these people make me happy. They’re out in the world. They’re living whereas I’m only existing. I have nobody to share my oranges with. I have nobody to blow out candles in front of. I’m directionless and alone. This big magical place I once thought of is now holding me hostage. I had love once. I had people around me once. I had someone to grocery shop with on the weekends and laugh with when our groceries dropped through the bag. I once had someone to argue with over who was allowed to push the cart. I once had someone who would peel my oranges for me when we got home. Now, my oranges sit and rot in the bowl on my small kitchen table. I have to throw them away most of the time. Yet, I still buy them because it reminds me of something I once had. Is that all life is?
”
”
Emily Tudor (The Road Not Taken (Hart Sisters Book 1))
“
Greetings and welcome to The Keltic Woodshop. Established since November of 2003 in Kansas City, Missouri, The Keltic Woodshop specializes in custom cabinetry, furniture, and unique fine wood products in a personalized old fashioned handcrafted way. We are a small shop that strives towards individual attention and detail in every item produced.
The Keltic Woodshop of Kansas City specializes in the following products:
Custom Cabinets and Furniture:
We use worldwide exotic woods. Our custom cabinets and furniture contains Russian Birch, Brazilian Cherry, African Mahogany, Asian Teak, Knotty Pine, Walnut, Red Oak, White Oak, and Bolivian Rosewood just to name a few. Custom orders are available.
Handmade Walking Sticks:
Our walking sticks include handcrafted, lightweight, strong, durable, handpainted, handcarved, Handapplied finishes and stains, Alaskan Diamond Willow, Hedgeapple, Red Oak, Memosa, Spalted Birch, and Spalted Ash.
Custom Made Exotic Wood Display Cases:
These are handmade from hardwoods of Knotty Pine, Asian Teak, African Mahogany, Sycamore, Aniegre, African Mahogany, and Black Cherry. We will do custom orders too.
Pagan and Specialty Items:
We have Red Oak and White Oak Ritual Wands with gems, Washington Driftwood Healing Wands with amethyst, crystaline, and citrine points, handpainted Red Oak and Hedgeapple Viking Runes for devination. We can make custom wood boxes for your tarot cards.
Customer satisfaction is our highest priority. If you are looking for unusual or exotic lumbers, then we are the shop you've been searching for. The Keltic Woodshop stands behind and gurantees each item with an owner lifetime warranty on craftsmanship of the product with a replacement, repair, or moneyback in full, no questions asked, policy. We want you happy and completely satisfied with any product you may purchase. We are not a production shop so you will find joinery of woods containing handcut dovetails, as well as mortise and tenon construction. Finishes and stains are never sprayed on, but are applied personally by hand for that quality individual touch.
the-tedswoodworking.com
”
”
Ted McGrath
“
Think of all the love poured into him. Think of the tuitions for Montessori and music lessons. Think of the gasoline expended, the treads worn carting him to football games, basketball tournaments, and Little League. Think of the time spent regulating sleepovers. Think of the surprise birthday parties, the daycare, and the reference checks on babysitters. Think of World Book and Childcraft. Think of checks written for family photos. Think of credit cards charged for vacations. Think of soccer balls, science kits, chemistry sets, racetracks, and model trains. Think of all the embraces, all the private jokes, customs, greetings, names, dreams, all the shared knowledge and capacity of a black family injected into that vessel of flesh and bone. And think of how that vessel was taken, shattered on the concrete, and all its holy contents, all that had gone into him, sent flowing back to the earth.
”
”
Ta-Nehisi Coates (Between the World and Me (One World Essentials))
“
She would never again subject herself to the embarrassment of sitting at a lonely table with a stack of pretty books and trying to avoid eye contact with customers trying not to get too close. She knew other writers, a few anyway, and she had heard the horror stories of showing up at a bookstore and being greeted by the friendly faces of the employees and volunteers, and wondering how many of them might actually be customers and book buyers, and watching them glance around nervously in search of potential fans, and then seeing them drift away forever when it became apparent that the beloved author was about to lay an egg.
”
”
John Grisham (Camino Island)
“
Thus birth was greeted with mourning and death with exaltation and celebration. These customs were regarded with some surprise by the Greeks and Latins.
”
”
Peter Berresford Ellis (The Mammoth Book of Celtic Myths and Legends (Mammoth Books))
“
I don’t think I’ll be with you for dinner.”
“Why? Is he making you work through dinner? Viva la revolution!”
“You’re not a French peasant, and I sure as hell ain’t a king,” Nick grumbled before greeting the next customer.
”
”
Ellen Mint (Mistletoe Latte)
“
She didn’t come out to greet him. The first link, of the so-strong chain of habits, of custom, that binds us all, had snapped wide open.
”
”
Cornell Woolrich (Rear Window)
“
Embrace Efficiency, Elevate Flavor: Smart Kitchen Tools for Culinary Adventurers
The kitchen, once a realm of necessity, has morphed into a playground of possibility. Gone are the days of clunky appliances and tedious prep work. Enter the age of the smart kitchen tool, a revolution that whispers efficiency and shouts culinary liberation. For the modern gastronome, these tech-infused gadgets are not mere conveniences, but allies in crafting delectable adventures, freeing us to savor the journey as much as the destination.
Imagine mornings when your smart coffee maker greets you with the perfect brew, prepped by the whispers of your phone while you dream. Your fridge, stocked like a digital oracle, suggests recipes based on its ever-evolving inventory, and even automatically orders groceries you've run low on. The multi-cooker, your multitasking superhero, whips up a gourmet chili while you conquer emails, and by dinnertime, your smart oven roasts a succulent chicken to golden perfection, its progress monitored remotely as you sip a glass of wine.
But efficiency is merely the prologue. Smart kitchen tools unlock a pandora's box of culinary precision. Smart scales, meticulous to the milligram, banish recipe guesswork and ensure perfect balance in every dish. Food processors and blenders, armed with pre-programmed settings and self-cleaning prowess, transform tedious chopping into a mere blip on the culinary radar. And for the aspiring chef, a sous vide machine becomes a magic wand, coaxing impossible tenderness from the toughest cuts of meat.
Yet, technology alone is not the recipe for culinary bliss. For those who yearn to paint with flavors, smart kitchen tools are the brushes on their canvas. A connected recipe platform becomes your digital sous chef, guiding you through each step with expert instructions and voice-activated ease. Spice racks, infused with artificial intelligence, suggest unexpected pairings, urging you to venture beyond the familiar. And for the ultimate expression of your inner master chef, a custom knife, forged from heirloom steel and lovingly honed, becomes an extension of your hand, slicing through ingredients with laser focus and lyrical grace.
But amidst the symphony of gadgets and apps, let us not forget the heart of the kitchen: the human touch. Smart tools are not meant to replace our intuition but to augment it. They free us from the drudgery, allowing us to focus on the artistry, the love, the joy of creation. Imagine kneading dough, the rhythm of your hands mirroring the gentle whirring of a smart bread machine, then shaping a loaf that holds the warmth of both technology and your own spirit. Or picture yourself plating a dish, using smart portion scales for precision but garnishing with edible flowers chosen simply because they spark joy. This, my friends, is the symphony of the smart kitchen: a harmonious blend of tech and humanity, where efficiency becomes the brushstroke that illuminates the vibrant canvas of culinary passion.
Of course, every adventure, even one fueled by smart tools, has its caveats. Interoperability between gadgets can be a tangled web, and data privacy concerns linger like unwanted guests. But these challenges are mere bumps on the culinary road, hurdles to be overcome by informed choices and responsible data management. After all, we wouldn't embark on a mountain trek without checking the weather, would we?
So, embrace the smart kitchen, dear foodies! Let technology be your sous chef, your precision tool, your culinary muse. But never forget the magic of your own hands, the wisdom of your palate, and the joy of a meal shared with loved ones. For in the end, it's not about the gadgets, but the memories we create around them, the stories whispered over simmering pots, and the laughter echoing through a kitchen filled with the aroma of possibility.
”
”
Daniel Thomas
“
I rang out a couple more customers as I thought about it, and...he slowly walked up to the counter and set down two spools of line. I should really figure out what the point of one being thicker than the other was.
“Hi, Mr. Rhodes,” I greeted him with a smile.
He’d taken his sunglasses off and slid them through one of the gaps between the buttons of his work shirt. His gray eyes were steady on me as he said in that same uninterested, stern tone from before, “Hi.”
I took the first package of fishing line and scanned it. “How is your day going?”
“Fine.”
I scanned the next package and figured I might as well go in for the kill since no one was around. “You remember that time you said you owed me?” A day ago.
He didn’t say anything, and I peeked up at him.
Since his eyebrows couldn’t talk, they formed a shape that told me exactly how distrustful he was feeling right then.
“You do, okay. Well,” and I lowered my voice, “I was going to ask if I could redeem that favor.”
Those gray eyes stayed narrowed.
This was going well.
I glanced around to make sure no one was listening and quickly said, “When you aren’t busy… could you teach me about all this stuff? Even if it’s just a little bit?”
That got him to blink in what I was pretty sure was surprise. And to give him credit, he too lowered his voice as he asked slowly and possibly in confusion, “What stuff?”
I tipped my head to the side. “All this stuff in here. Fishing, camping, you know, general knowledge I might need to work here so I have an idea of what I’m doing.”
There was another blink.
I might as well go for it. “Only when you aren’t super busy. Please. If you can, but if you can’t, that’s okay.” I’d just cry myself to sleep at night. No biggie.
Worst case, I could hit up the library on my days off. Hang out in the grocery store parking lot and google information. I could make it work. I would, regardless.
Dark, thick, black eyelashes dipped over his nice eyes, and his voice came out low and even. “You’re serious?” He thought I was shitting him.
“Dead.”
His head turned to the side, giving me a good view of his short but really pretty eyelashes. “You want me to teach you to fish?” he asked like he couldn’t believe it, like I’d asked him to… I don’t know, show me his wiener.
“You don’t have to teach me to fish, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it. I haven’t been in forever. But more about everything else. Like, what is the point of these two different kinds of line? What are all the lures good for? Or are they called flies? Do you really need those gadgets to start a fire?” I knew I was whispering as I said, “I have so many random questions, and not having internet makes it hard to look things up. Your total is $40.69, by the way.”
My landlord blinked for about the hundredth time at that point, and I was pretty sure he was either confused or stunned as he pulled his wallet out and slipped his card through the reader, his gaze staying on me for the majority of the time in that long, watchful way that was completely different from the way the older men had been eyeballing me earlier. Not sexually or with interest, but more like I was a raccoon and he wasn’t sure if I had rabies or not.
In a weird way, I preferred it by a lot.
I smiled. “It’s okay if not,” I told him, handing over a small paper bag with his purchases inside.
The tall man took it from me and let his eyes wander to a spot to my left. His Adam’s apple bobbed; then he took a step back and sighed. “Fine. Tonight, 7:30. I’ve got thirty minutes and not one longer.”
What!
“You’re my hero,” I whispered.
He looked at me, then blinked.
“I’ll be there, thank you,” I told him.
He grunted, and before I could thank him again, he was out of there so fast I had no chance to check out his butt in those work pants of his.
”
”
Mariana Zapata
“
Key Elements of Five Year Plan ’77 What follows did not happen overnight. Among the guidelines set in February 1977 (remember, Fair Trade on alcohol was not finally ended until 1978): Emphasize edibles vs. non-edibles. I figured that the supermarkets would raise their prices on foods to make up for the newly reduced margins on milk and alcohol. This would give us all the more room to underprice them. During the next five years we got rid of film, hosiery, light bulbs and hardware, greeting cards, batteries, magazines, all health and beauty aids except those with a “health food” twist. We began to cut back sharply on soaps and cleaners and paper goods. The only non-edibles we emphasized were “tabletop” items like wineglasses, cork pullers, and candles. It was quite clear that we should put more emphasis on food and less on alcohol and milk. Within edibles, drop all ordinary branded products like Best Foods, Folgers, or Weber’s bread. I felt that a dichotomy was developing between “groceries” and “food.” By “groceries,” I mean the highly advertised, highly packaged, “value added” products being emphasized by supermarkets, the kinds that brought slotting allowances and co-op advertising allowances. By embracing these “plastic” products, I felt the supermarkets were abandoning “food” and the product knowledge required to buy and sell it. But this position wasn’t entirely altruistic. The plan of February 20, 1977, declared, “Most independent supermarkets have been driven out of business, because they stupidly tried to compete with the big chains in plastic goods, in which the big chains excel.” Focus on discontinuity of supplies. Be willing to discontinue any product if we are unable to offer the right deal to the customer. Instead of national brands, focus on either Trader Joe’s label products or “no label” products like nuts and dried fruits. This was intended to enable the Trader Joe’s label to pick up momentum in the stores. And it worked.
”
”
Joe Coulombe (Becoming Trader Joe: How I Did Business My Way and Still Beat the Big Guys)
“
Understanding consumer preferences, market trends, and business opportunities all depend on market research. However, a nuanced approach is required when conducting
market research survey in Myanmar. Participation in surveys and the quality of the data can be significantly influenced by cultural norms, beliefs, and practices. The challenges and opportunities of conducting surveys in this one-of-a-kind cultural landscape are brought to light in this article, which examines the intricate connection between culture and market research in Myanmar. Researchers can gain valuable insights for informed decision-making and successful market strategies by comprehending and adapting to Myanmar's cultural nuances.
Introduction to market research survey in Myanmar is a country with a lot of culture and tradition that makes it a special place to conduct market research. Understanding the cultural nuances that influence survey participation is essential for businesses trying to comprehend consumer preferences and behaviors in this diverse market.
An Overview of Myanmar's Market Research Landscape Market research is rapidly evolving in Myanmar in tandem with the country's economic expansion. In order to gain useful insights from surveys, it is necessary to have a comprehensive comprehension of the cultural dynamics of a population with a wide range of languages and ethnic groups.
Understanding How Culture Affects Survey Participation Culture has a big impact on how people respond to market research surveys. Survey response rates can be influenced by interpersonal dynamics, social norms, and traditional beliefs in Myanmar.
Cultural Factors That Affect Survey Response Rates People's responses to surveys can be influenced by factors like respect for authority, communal decision-making, and communication styles. The key to maximizing survey participation is recognizing and adapting to these cultural differences.
The willingness of respondents to participate in surveys can be influenced by traditional beliefs and practices like face-saving behaviors, hierarchical structures, and superstitions. Researchers can create survey environments that are conducive to honest and valuable feedback by recognizing and respecting these traditional beliefs.
Tailoring Survey Designs to Match Cultural Preferences in Myanmar To guarantee the success of market research surveys in Myanmar, survey designs must be adapted to match cultural norms and preferences. In addition to increasing respondent engagement, this strategy encourages inclusivity and a respect for local customs.
Adjusting Poll Arrangement for Social Awareness
From the language utilized in study inquiries to the visual plan of overview materials, social responsiveness ought to be a core value in forming review surveys. Researchers can increase respondent trust and openness by avoiding potential taboos and including references that are culturally relevant.
Respecting local customs, such as greeting rituals, gift-giving practices, and preferred modes of communication, can increase respondents' willingness to participate in surveys by incorporating them into the design of the survey. Researchers can create a more engaging and culturally appropriate research experience by incorporating these elements into survey design.
Overcoming Language Barriers in Market Research Surveys Myanmar's language diversity makes conducting market research surveys a significant challenge. Language barriers must be overcome and multilingual survey administration must be promoted in order to ensure effective communication and data collection.
Challenges of Myanmar's Language Diversity With over 100 languages spoken there, language barriers can make it hard to take surveys and understand them. Utilizing survey materials that are suitable for a particular language and, if necessary, the services of an interpreter, researchers must overcome these obstacles.
The use of bilingual survey
”
”
market research survey in Myanmar
“
Following the Soviet invasion, the Communists, to their credit, passed decrees making girls’ education compulsory and abolishing certain oppressive tribal customs—such as the bride-price, a payment to the bride’s family in return for her hand in marriage. However, by massacring thousands of tribal elders, they paved the way for the “commanders” to step in as the new elite. Aided by American and Saudi patronage, extremism flourished. What had once been a social practice confined to areas deep in the hinterlands now became a political practice, which, according to ideologues, applied to the entire country. The modest gains of urban women were erased.
“The first time a woman enters her husband’s house," Heela “told me about life in the countryside, “she wears white”—her wedding dress—“and the first time she leaves, she wears white”—the color of the Muslim funeral shroud.
The rules of this arrangement were intricate and precise, and, it seemed to Heela, unchanged from time immemorial. In Uruzgan, a woman did not step outside her compound. In an emergency, she required the company of a male blood relative to leave, and then only with her father’s or husband’s permission. Even the sound of her voice carried a hint of subversion, so she was kept out of hearing range of unrelated males.
When the man of the house was not present, boys were dispatched to greet visitors. Unrelated males also did not inquire directly about a female member of the house. Asking “How is your wife?” qualified as somewhere between uncomfortably impolite and downright boorish. The markers of a woman’s life—births, anniversaries, funerals, prayers, feasts—existed entirely within the four walls of her home. Gossip, hopscotching from living room to living room, was carried by husbands or sons.
”
”
Anand Gopal (No Good Men Among the Living: America, the Taliban, and the War through Afghan Eyes)
“
At that moment Britain had reached the critical stage of negotiations, begun more than two years previously, with the Ottoman Empire, aimed at resolving the longstanding issues between the two governments over a whole range of matters, including those in the Persian Gulf. These issues included defining British and Ottoman territories and spheres of influence along the entire length of the Gulf, customs duties and terms for the completion of the long-projected Baghdad railway. One of the issues that had been provisionally resolved between the two sides was the question of Najd, which was to be recognised as an Ottoman province and to include Hasa. So Ibn Saud’s sudden seizure of Hasa and the renewal of arguments from British Officials in the Gulf and India, including both Cox and the Viceroy, for reaching some kind of agreement with Ibn Saud, were greeted in London with dismay. Sir Edward Grey, one of the longest-serving but least-travelled Foreign Secretaries in British history, had little knowledge of the world beyond Whitehall. He spoke no foreign languages and had never travelled further than France. One highly respected contemporary described him as so ignorant of the lands beyond Europe that ‘he hardly knew the Persian Gulf from the Red Sea and Europe’.11 At
”
”
Barbara Bray (Ibn Saud: The Desert Warrior Who Created the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
“
The transmission of culture assures the survival of the particular forms given to our existence and expression as human beings. It goes much beyond our customs and traditions and symbols to include how we express ourselves in gestures and language, the way we adorn ourselves in dress and decoration, what and how and when we celebrate. Culture also defines our rituals around contact and connection, greetings and good-byes, belonging and loyalty, love and intimacy. Central to any culture is its food — how food is prepared and eaten, the attitudes toward food, and the functions food serves. The music people make and the music they listen to is an integral part of any culture.
The transmission of culture is, normally, an automatic part of child-rearing. In addition to facilitating dependence, shielding against external stress, and giving birth to independence, attachment also is the conduit of culture. As long as the child is properly attaching to the adults responsible, the culture flows into the child. To put it another way, the attaching child becomes spontaneously informed, in the sense of absorbing the cultural forms of the adult. According to Howard Gardner, a leading American developmentalist, more is spontaneously absorbed from the parents in the first four years of life than during all the rest of a person's formal education put together.
When attachment is working, the transmission of culture does not require deliberate instruction or teaching on the part of the adult or even conscious learning on the part of the child. The child's hunger for connection and inclination to seek cues from adults take care of it. If the child is helped to attain genuine individuality and a mature independence of mind, the passing down of culture from one generation to another is not a process of mindless imitation or blind obedience.
”
”
Gabor Maté (Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers)
“
When we first went to Provence, I assumed I would be observing a different culture. With attachment in mind, it became obvious to me that it is much more than a different culture — I was witnessing a culture at work and a culture that worked. Children greeted adults and adults greeted children. Socializing involved whole families, not adults with adults and children with children. There was only one village activity at a time, so families were not pulled in several directions. Sunday afternoon was for family walks in the countryside.
Even at the village fountain, the local hangout, teens mixed with seniors. Festivals and celebrations, of which there were many, were all family affairs. The music and dancing brought the generations together instead of separating them. Culture took precedence over materialism. One could not even buy a baguette without first engaging in the appropriate greeting rituals. Village stores were closed for three hours at midday while schools emptied and families reconvened. Lunch was eaten in a congenial manner as multigenerational groupings sat around tables, sharing conversation and a meal.
The attachment customs around the village primary school were equally impressive. Children were personally escorted to school and picked up by their parents or grandparents. The school was gated and the grounds could be entered only by a single entrance. At the gate were the teachers, waiting for their students to be handed over to them. Again, culture dictated that connection be established with appropriate greetings between the adult escorts and the teachers as well as the teachers and the students. Sometimes when the class had been collected but the school bell had not yet rung, the teacher would lead the class through the playground, like a mother goose followed by her goslings.
While to North American eyes this may appear to be a preschool ritual, even absurd, in Provence it was selfevidently part of the natural order of things. When children were released from school, it was always one class at a time, the teacher in the lead. The teacher would wait with the students at the gate until all had been collected by their adult escort. Their teachers were their teachers whether on the grounds or in the village market or at the village festival. There weren't many cracks to fall through. Provençal culture was keeping attachment voids to a minimum.
”
”
Gabor Maté (Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers)
“
Drive to the expired home, take a photo. Have a unique letter saved in your computer that you can print out that morning. This letter will have the home owner’s name at the top of the page with the words “Your listing expired at midnight last night.” Include a copy of the expired MLS sheet. Hi-lite the date it expired. In your letter state they’ll be receiving a box from you in the mail in a few days. Insert this letter into a unique mailing envelope. I use white bubble wrap envelopes (9x12) and brown craft envelopes (9x12). Write the owner’s name on the front of the envelope and directly below that write “Confidential”. That’s all. Don’t write their address on the card. Then, back at the office or your home, enter the owner and address in the SOC contact manager. Upload photo of home to the SOC system. Send a custom greeting card with box of cookies or brownies. Follow up 3-5 days after you’ve sent the package with either a phone call, knock at the door or another drop off letter. They will remember you because they just received a custom card with brownies or cookies. It turns a cold call into a warm call every time. It works!
”
”
Jim McCord (A Revolution in Real Estate Sales: How to Sell Real Estate)
“
She opened the kitchen door and the smells came to greet her. The sensual, come-hither scent of chocolate cake. Mint, for the customer who always liked hers fresh-picked for her late-night tea. Red pepper seeds and onion skins, waiting in the compost pail that Finnegan had not, she could tell, emptied last night. Cooked boar meat from a ragout sauce that was a winter tradition, the smell striding toward her like a strong, sweaty hunter.
”
”
Erica Bauermeister (The Lost Art of Mixing)
“
I served the counter while Sadie and Alice managed the floor. As soon as one seat emptied, someone else took the spot. After removing the dirty dishes and wiping the area clean, I looked up to greet my new customer.
”
”
Debbie Macomber (Any Dream Will Do)
“
Wise leaders know that being personable ad friendly is the highly-prized personality for employees who are meeting, greeting, and engaging on the front lines with customers. They are the real ambassadors of good will who make positive first impressions for the organization. Their affinity for being personable and friendly can boost the attractor factor for winning business, loyalty, and rave reviews.
”
”
Susan C. Young (The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact (The Art of First Impressions for Positive Impact, #6))
“
In his book, How to Win Friends & Influence People, Dale Carnegie encourages you to greet people with "animation and enthusiasm." This form of kinesthetic responsiveness provides a splendid example of how impactful your gestures can be while responding to others. Whether it be running up to an old friend you have not seen in a while or standing up to greet a business associate when he approaches your table, being kinesthetically responsive is an impactful way to gesture your level of interest, engagement, and enthusiasm.
”
”
Susan C. Young (The Art of Body Language: 8 Ways to Optimize Non-Verbal Communication for Positive Impact (The Art of First Impressions for Positive Impact, #3))
“
The Warm Welcome of Hospitality. Walt Disney World is the epitome of world-class customer service. Employees must be hyper-vigilant of spatial orientation to engage, impress, and interact with guests. For simply being near a guest, employees are trained to:
• Make eye contact and smile.
• Greet and welcome each and every guest.
• Seek out guest contact.
• Provide immediate service recovery.
• Always display appropriate body language.
• Preserve the “magical” guest experience.
• Thank each guest and demonstrate that appreciation.
”
”
Susan C. Young (The Art of Body Language: 8 Ways to Optimize Non-Verbal Communication for Positive Impact (The Art of First Impressions for Positive Impact, #3))
“
Many hospitality companies follow the "5 and 10 Rule," whereby when a customer is within ten feet of the employee, they should provide acknowledgement with eye contact and a genuine smile. When the customer is within five feet, it is encouraged to provide a warm welcome, sincere greeting, a friendly gesture, and offer to help, or to engage him or her in conversation.
”
”
Susan C. Young (The Art of Body Language: 8 Ways to Optimize Non-Verbal Communication for Positive Impact (The Art of First Impressions for Positive Impact, #3))
“
Palm Reading 101
• Palm Up— Conveys openness, service, humility, and sympathy.
• Palm Down—Demonstrates authority, superiority, and control.
• Palm Vertical—Shows you are meeting on equal terms with a mutually respectful greeting.
• Palm Wet, Cold, or Clammy—Ick! The "dead fish" is creepy. Make your hands warm and dry before reaching out to touch someone, please! It can also be conveyed as being nervous or over-excited.
• Palm Perfect—This is my favorite. Better known as the "hand hug." While you are shaking hands with your right hand, place your left hand on top, wrapping both people in warmth and trust. This two-handed shake illustrates affection, caring, or concern, especially when you then reach up to grasp their arm or shoulder.
”
”
Susan C. Young (The Art of Body Language: 8 Ways to Optimize Non-Verbal Communication for Positive Impact (The Art of First Impressions for Positive Impact, #3))
“
High fives and fist bumps have become the popular alternatives to traditional handshakes, especially among the younger generations. As a new social norm, they are used as a greeting, an approval, an acknowledgement, a celebration, and a gesture of understanding. High fives and fist bumps are also viewed as a healthier alternative to traditional handshakes because they don’t spread germs.
”
”
Susan C. Young (The Art of Body Language: 8 Ways to Optimize Non-Verbal Communication for Positive Impact (The Art of First Impressions for Positive Impact, #3))
“
Look for all of the possible missteps in the following scenario. My friend Amy arrived at a consultation with her Hispanic business partner. The African American woman to whom they were delivering their presentation was a long-time friend of her partner’s. Her partner was greeted with a hug and Amy was greeted with a handshake. The meeting was a great success.
As it came to a close, the two friends hugged. With enthusiastic affection, Amy went to hug the African American client. The woman took a step, turned her shoulder to block the hug, and looked at Amy with dismissive anger. It was almost a defensive move. Her partner, recognizing this, put her arm around Amy to soften the situation and make light of the inappropriate gesture.
Everything turned out fine, but Amy was baffled by the barrier. She was confused by the woman’s reaction since their interaction had been cordial and positive. She wondered if she had been socially insensitive or culturally inappropriate. After much reflection, however, she realized that she had simply been too quick to assume familiarity. Thankfully, she earned and learned the lesson quickly to become more aware. Amy eventually earned the trust of her client and secured her valuable business.
”
”
Susan C. Young (The Art of Body Language: 8 Ways to Optimize Non-Verbal Communication for Positive Impact (The Art of First Impressions for Positive Impact, #3))
“
In our digital world today, handwritten notes are an “old school” way to make people feel important. Email is easy and Facebook birthday messages are now the norm, however, taking that extra step makes your efforts extra special.
Whether it is a thank you note, birthday greeting, or a card of congratulations, taking the time to extend this personal consideration makes a person feel like you care. Be the surprise in someone’s day and make them feel important.
”
”
Susan C. Young (The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact (The Art of First Impressions for Positive Impact, #6))
“
17 Ways to Just Be Nice
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
―Aesop
1. Be sincere.
2. Be altruistic.
3. Practice patience.
4. Inquire and engage.
5. Keep your promises.
6. Offer help to others.
7. Acknowledge others.
8. Control your behavior.
9. Be situationally aware.
10. Be polite and courteous.
11. Use considerate manners.
12. Greet people with a smile.
13. Practice random acts of kindness.
14. Show respect for yourself and others.
15. Be complimentary and look for positives.
16. Walk in another’s shoes to understand their needs.
17. Share of yourself without expecting anything in return.
”
”
Susan C. Young (The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact (The Art of First Impressions for Positive Impact, #4))
“
Mix
• Be situationally aware and pay attention to the people in the room.
• Introduce guests or help strike up a conversation.
• Be the one who takes the initiative and makes and effort to “work the room.”
• Make eye contact and acknowledge others with a smile and friendly gestures.
• Greet people as they arrive, even if it is not your expected role.
• Spot the people who may be first timers or guests and help them feel more welcomed and embraced.
”
”
Susan C. Young (The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact (The Art of First Impressions for Positive Impact, #4))
“
13 Simple Ways to Deliver Service Beyond Self
1. Make it Easy for People to Do Business with You.
2. Be an Awesome, Sincere Listener.
3. Listen to Customers’ Words and tone of voice, body language, and how they feel. Ask questions, listen, and meet them on their level. Explain, guide, educate, assist and do what is necessary to help them get the information they need to fully understand regarding their question or issue.
4. Show Enthusiasm. Greet customers with genuine interest. Give them your best. Think, act, and talk with positive enthusiasm and you will attract positive results. Your attitude is contagious!
5. Identify and Anticipate Needs. Most customer needs are more emotional rather than logical.
6. Under Promise & Over Deliver.
Apply the principle of “Service Beyond Self” . . . give more than expected. Meet and exceed their expectations. If you can’t serve their needs, connect them with whoever can.
7. Make them Feel Important.
Our deepest desire is to feel important. People rarely care how much you know until they know how much you care. Use their names, find ways to compliment them—and be sincere.
8. Take Responsibility for their Satisfaction.
Do whatever is necessary to help them solve their problems. Let them know that if they can’t find answers to their questions to come back to you for help.
9. Treat your TEAM well.
Fellow colleagues are your internal customers and need a regular dose of appreciation. Thank them and find ways to let them know how important they are. Treat your colleagues with respect; chances are they will have a higher regard for customers.
10. Choose an Attitude of Gratitude.
Gratitude changes your perspective and helps you appreciate the good rather than simply taking it for granted.
11. Perform, Provide and Follow-Up.
Always perform or provide your service in a spirit of excellence and integrity. If you say you’re going to do something—DO IT! There is tremendous value in being a resource for your customer. If you can help them to succeed, they are more likely to help you succeed.
12. Use Gracious Words. "Thank you, thank you very much.
”
”
Susan C. Young (The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact (The Art of First Impressions for Positive Impact, #4))
“
12 Simple Ways to Deliver Service Beyond Self
1. Make it Easy for People to Do Business with You.
2. Be an Awesome, Sincere Listener.
3. Listen to Customers’ Words and tone of voice, body language, and how they feel. Ask questions, listen, and meet them on their level. Explain, guide, educate, assist and do what is necessary to help them get the information they need to fully understand regarding their question or issue.
4. Show Enthusiasm. Greet customers with genuine interest. Give them your best. Think, act, and talk with positive enthusiasm and you will attract positive results. Your attitude is contagious!
5. Identify and Anticipate Needs. Most customer needs are more emotional rather than logical.
6. Under Promise & Over Deliver.
Apply the principle of “Service Beyond Self” . . . give more than expected. Meet and exceed their expectations. If you can’t serve their needs, connect them with whoever can.
7. Make them Feel Important.
Our deepest desire is to feel important. People rarely care how much you know until they know how much you care. Use their names, find ways to compliment them—and be sincere.
8. Take Responsibility for their Satisfaction.
Do whatever is necessary to help them solve their problems. Let them know that if they can’t find answers to their questions to come back to you for help.
9. Treat your TEAM well.
Fellow colleagues are your internal customers and need a regular dose of appreciation. Thank them and find ways to let them know how important they are. Treat your colleagues with respect; chances are they will have a higher regard for customers.
10. Choose an Attitude of Gratitude.
Gratitude changes your perspective and helps you appreciate the good rather than simply taking it for granted.
11. Perform, Provide and Follow-Up.
Always perform or provide your service in a spirit of excellence and integrity. If you say you’re going to do something—DO IT! There is tremendous value in being a resource for your customer. If you can help them to succeed, they are more likely to help you succeed.
Use Gracious Words. "Thank you, thank you very much.
”
”
Susan C. Young (The Art of Action: 8 Ways to Initiate & Activate Forward Momentum for Positive Impact (The Art of First Impressions for Positive Impact, #4))
“
I walked the short distance to Nogizaka, then strolled up and down Gaienhigashi-dori. It took awhile, but I finally spotted it. There was no sign, only a small red rose on a black awning. The entrance was flanked by two black men, each of sufficient bulk to have been at home in the sumo pit. Their suits were well tailored and, given the size of the men wearing them, must have been custom-made. Nigerians, I assumed, whose size, managerial acumen, and relative facility with the language had made them a rare foreign success story, in this case as both middle management and muscle for many of the area’s entertainment establishments. The mizu shobai, or “water trade” of entertainment and pleasure, is one of the few areas in which Japan can legitimately claim a degree of internationalization. They bowed and opened the club’s double glass doors for me, each issuing a baritone irasshaimase as they did so. Welcome. One of them murmured something into a microphone set discreetly into his lapel. I walked down a short flight of stairs. A ruddy-faced, prosperous-looking Japanese man whom I put at about forty greeted me in a small foyer. Interchangeable J-Pop techno music was playing from the room beyond. “Nanmeisama desho ka?” Mr. Ruddy asked. How many? “Just one,” I said in English, holding up a finger. “Of course.” He motioned that I should follow him. The room was rectangular, flanked by dance stages on either end. The stages were simple, distinguished only by mirrored walls behind them and identical brass poles at their centers. One stage was occupied by a tall, long-haired blonde wearing high heels and a green g-string and nothing more. She was dancing somewhat desultorily, I thought, but seemed to have the attention of the majority of the club’s clientele regardless. Russian, I guessed. Large-boned and large-breasted. A delicacy in Japan. Harry hadn’t mentioned floorshows. Probably he was embarrassed. My sense that something was amiss deepened.
”
”
Barry Eisler (A Lonely Resurrection (John Rain #2))
“
Liberal politics is based on the idea that the voters know best, and there is no need for Big Brother to tell us what is good for us. Liberal economics is based on the idea that the customer is always right. Liberal art declares that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Students in liberal schools and universities are taught to think for themselves. Commercials urge us to ‘Just do it.’ Action films, stage dramas, soap operas, novels and catchy pop songs indoctrinate us constantly: ‘Be true to yourself’, ‘Listen to yourself’, ‘Follow your heart’. Jean-Jacques Rousseau stated this view most classically: ‘What I feel to be good – is good. What I feel to be bad – is bad.’ People who have been raised from infancy on a diet of such slogans are prone to believe that happiness is a subjective feeling and that each individual best knows whether she is happy or miserable. Yet this view is unique to liberalism. Most religions and ideologies throughout history stated that there are objective yardsticks for goodness and beauty, and for how things ought to be. They were suspicious of the feelings and preferences of the ordinary person. At the entrance of the temple of Apollo at Delphi, pilgrims were greeted by the inscription: ‘Know thyself!’ The implication was that the average person is ignorant of his true self, and is therefore likely to be ignorant of true happiness. Freud would probably concur.fn1 And so would Christian theologians. St Paul and St Augustine knew perfectly well that if you asked people about it, most of them would prefer to have sex than pray to God. Does that prove that having sex is the key to happiness? Not according to Paul and Augustine. It proves only that humankind is sinful by nature, and that people are easily seduced by Satan. From a Christian viewpoint, the vast majority of people are in more or less the same situation as heroin addicts. Imagine that a psychologist embarks on a study of happiness among drug users. He polls them and finds that they declare, every single one of them, that they are only happy when they shoot up. Would the psychologist publish a paper declaring that heroin is the key to happiness? The idea that feelings are not to be trusted is not restricted to Christianity. At least when it comes to the value of feelings, even Darwin and Dawkins might find common ground with St Paul and St Augustine. According to the selfish gene theory, natural selection makes people, like other organisms, choose what is good for the reproduction of their genes, even if it is bad for them as individuals. Most males spend their lives toiling, worrying, competing and fighting, instead of enjoying peaceful bliss, because their DNA manipulates them for its own selfish aims. Like Satan, DNA uses fleeting pleasures to tempt people and place them in its power.
”
”
Yuval Noah Harari (Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind)
“
I decided to skip it and head to the library to do some research on Keepers. The place was practically deserted at this time of day, giving me my pick of computer terminals. I sat down at one in the corner and woke up the screen with a push of the mouse. A pop-up box with a smiley face and the words “Hello, student!” immediately displayed on the screen. The animation phenomenon was particularly prevalent in the library.
I gritted my teeth and contemplated switching to another terminal in the hopes that it would be less lively than this one, but decided it wasn’t worth the time. None of the computers in here were new.
In the text box below the greeting I typed “hi thanks” and pressed enter.
The pop-up disappeared, giving me access to the library’s custom search engine. I typed “keeper” and “ring” in the box and pressed the search button.
Another pop-up appeared on the screen: “Are you sure you want to search for that?”
“Yes,” I typed.
“Lots of people aren’t, you know, sure.” The smile on the smiley face widened.
“I’m sure.”
“Sure, sure?”
“YES!!!” I pounded on the keys, trying to get the point across.
The smiley face frowned. “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
At last, the stupid thing displayed the results, and I sighed in relief.
”
”
Mindee Arnett (The Nightmare Affair (The Arkwell Academy, #1))
“
Before taking the discipline for the first time, Brother Martin spent considerable time in prayer. Then he lashed himself with an iron chain armed with hooks of steel until the blood flowed copiously; to increase the pain and at the same time to staunch the flow of blood, he rubbed the wounds with salt and vinegar, in this way hoping to make reparation for his faults and failings. Then Martin would spend a long period of time in the chapter room, meditating on the sufferings of Our Divine Lord, with his eyes often fixed upon the crucifix. Filled with a longing to participate in the sorrows and pains endured by Christ, Martin made preparations for the second nightly flagellation by ripping off his garments, which were matted with blood and glued fast to his shoulders. The instrument of torture now was a leather whip, and Martin inflicted an even more severe punishment upon his back and shoulders, begging Almighty God to take pity upon sinners and especially to open wide the gates of heaven by the conversion of infidels. It was zeal for souls, for those for whom Christ had shed His own Precious Blood, that urged Blessed Martin to lash himself mercilessly with this leather whip. He was only too happy to share in the bitter Passion of Christ, on the details of which he had just lovingly meditated; and he would only too gladly endure any physical pain, any agony however terrifying, if only thereby he could win souls to Christ.
Martin now permitted his weary body to snatch brief rest which we have mentioned previously. With the approach of dawn, before four o'clock, he arose and ran to the bell tower, where he greeted the dawn in honor of the Mother of God, as was his regular custom. It was at this time that the holy Negro took the third and most severe of his scourgings. Again, it was preceded by prayer and the cruel removal of the rough tunic which was stuck fast to his flesh. This third scourging was administered with the branch of a wild quince tree, and sometimes Martin would enlist the assistance of an Indian or a Negro in whom he could confide and who was indebted to Blessed Martin for some outstanding kindness. Mercilessly the lash was applied by strong and powerful hands. In the midst of his sufferings Martin would urge on his friend to greater vigor and to be utterly brutal in applying this instrument for penance. This third and last scourging was for the relief of the Poor Souls abandoned in the fires of Purgatory.
”
”
J.C. Kearns (The Life of Blessed Martin de Porres: Saintly American Negro and Patron of Social Justice)
“
I walk on the street with the name of God
Sharing greetings to everyone
Oh his stately gentle folk
Blessed times are upon them.
Your drummer has come to the door
He gives greeting to everyone
Don't be upset his dears
He's come to collect his tip.
This month is called Sultan month
Sweet with cream and honey is eaten.
It's been a custom for all time
That a tip is given to the drummer.
”
”
Raj Doctor
“
Guideline #5: Select your vocabulary with meticulous care. Did you increase sales or orchestrate explosive growth in revenues? Did you provide good levels of customer service or unparalleled levels of quality customer service? As a receptionist, did you merely greet people, or were you the manager of first impressions? Are you a good problem solver, or can you resolve complex technical issues professionally and expeditiously? Words are power, and keywords and phrases are powerful agents for eliciting the right emotions to enthusiastically engage prospective employers to want to read your document. Well-chosen words can be the difference between an interview and a missed opportunity, so select your words and messages with painstaking precision.
”
”
Jay A. Block (101 Best Ways to Land a Job in Troubled Times)
“
one way to find out. I drew my Colt and spurred my horse forward, my guiding Cisco and the mare between the wagons, buckboards and riders blocking my path to the saloon. Bryce didn’t see me coming. He took a long pull on the cigar and then contentedly exhaled the smoke through pursed lips. I was close now and could have shot him easily. But I knew that wouldn’t satisfy me. I wanted to look into his eyes, to see the shock and the pain in them as he felt my slug rip through him, so I held my fire. It was a costly mistake. For in the next moment Bryce must have heard my horse coming and turned toward me. He instantly recognized me and in one continuous move whirled around and dived through the saloon swing-doors. I didn’t bother to dismount. Dropping the mare’s reins, so I wasn’t hampered by her, I spurred my horse onto the red-brick sidewalk and without stopping, ducked my head and rode into the saloon. A dozen shots greeted me. I heard Cisco grunt and knew he’d been hit. By then I had spotted the Guthrie brothers firing around the sides of upturned tables, and opened fire on them. I saw the oldest brother, Doke, grab his arm up by his shoulder and spin around, while my other shots forced Gibby and Bryce to pull back behind their tables. By now the panicked customers had scattered in different directions and both barkeeps had ducked below the bar. But they weren’t safe there. A wild shot smashed the mirror above the back-bar and shards of glass showered over them.
”
”
Steve Hayes (Shootout in Canyon Diablo (A Steve Hayes Western))
“
And the plunder was not just of Prince alone. Think of all the love poured into him. Think of the tuitions for Montessori and music lessons. Think of the gasoline expended, the treads worn carting him to football games, basketball tournaments, and Little League... Think of soccer balls, science kits, chemistry set, racetracks, and model trains. Think of all the embraces, all the private jokes, customs, greetings, names, dreams, all the shared knowledge and capacity of a black family injected into that vessel of flesh and bone. And think of how that vessel was taken, shattered on the concrete, and all its holy contents, all that had gone into him, sent flowing back to the earth.
”
”
Ta-Nehisi Coates
“
And if he, good Christian, scion of a striving class, patron saint of the twice as good, could be forever bound, who then could not? And the plunder was not just of Prince alone. Think of all the love poured into him. Think of the tuitions for Montessori and music lessons. Think of the gasoline expended, the treads worn carting him to football games, basketball tournaments, and Little League. Think of the time spent regulating sleepovers. Think of the surprise birthday parties, the daycare, and the reference checks on babysitters. Think of World Book and Childcraft. Think of checks written for family photos. Think of credit cards charged for vacations. Think of soccer balls, science kits, chemistry sets, racetracks, and model trains. Think of all the embraces, all the private jokes, customs, greetings, names, dreams, all the shared knowledge and capacity of a black family injected into that vessel of flesh and bone. And think of how that vessel was taken, shattered on the concrete, and all its holy contents, all that had gone into him, sent flowing back to the earth. Think of your mother, who had no father. And your grandmother, who was abandoned by her father. And your grandfather, who was left behind by his father. And think of how Prince’s daughter was now drafted into those solemn ranks and deprived of her birthright—that vessel which was her father, which brimmed with twenty-five years of love and was the investment of her grandparents and was to be her legacy.
”
”
Ta-Nehisi Coates (Between the World and Me (One World Essentials))
“
There are two features of this intriguing text which seem to connect it with much later rituals for ensuring the health of crops. One is the salutation to the earth, ‘be well’, hal wes þu. In Old English this phrase was a common greeting, more usually found in the order wes þu hal, ‘be thou well’. By the twelfth century, this phrase is recorded as a toast, used to wish someone health when presenting them with a cup of drink.18 In time, it became contracted to wassail, and in Middle English it appears both as a toast and a general word for drinking and feasting. In medieval sources, wassailing has no connection to crops. From the sixteenth century onwards, however, there are records from across southern England of the custom of wassailing fruit-trees in the winter season, around Christmas or Twelfth Night, to ensure a good harvest of fruit in the coming year.19 This often involved singing to the trees, beating them with sticks, toasting them with cider or putting pieces of cider-soaked bread in their roots or branches. More than five hundred years separate this Anglo-Saxon field-ritual from the first records of wassailing, so there may be no direct connection between the Old English text and the later custom. However, the use of the phrase hal wes þu as a salutation to the earth is a remarkable similarity, even if it’s just coincidence.
”
”
Eleanor Parker (Winters in the World: A Journey through the Anglo-Saxon Year)
“
If we ever get carried away with how important we are because we’re a great big $50 billion chain—instead of one store in Blytheville, Arkansas, or McComb, Mississippi, or Oak Ridge, Tennessee—then you probably can close the book on us. If we ever forget that looking a customer in the eye, and greeting him or her, and asking politely if we can be of help is just as important in every Wal-Mart today as it was in that little Ben Franklin in Newport, then we just ought to go into a different business because we’ll never survive in this one.
”
”
Sam Walton (Sam Walton: Made In America)
“
Thank the guests for coming! You may say it’s none of your business, but it’s still part of your job.
”
”
Utibe Samuel Mbom (The Event Usher’s Handbook)
“
I called the U.S. Department of Education and was greeted with the automated message, “Thank you for calling the U.S. Department of Education, where we aim to serve our customers well” (March 29, 2010).
”
”
Alyssa Hadley Dunn (Teachers Without Borders? The Hidden Consequences of International Teachers in U.S. Schools (Multicultural Education))
“
Elijah greeted the new family of customers, “Hello.
Welcome to Dean’s Diner!” he said with a classic
customer service smile. Sometimes he thought he
repeated that phrase more than his own name.
”
”
Lidia Longorio (Death's Rattle)
“
mountain peak soared against the sky. “That’s El Yunque—The Anvil,” Jack pointed out. “It’s a tropical rain forest with ferns as high as houses.” They landed and admired the large white modernistic terminal building as they walked toward it. The structure seemed to be poised on stilts. Mr. Hardy was waiting to greet the travelers as soon as they cleared customs. “Good flight?” he asked.
”
”
Franklin W. Dixon (The Ghost at Skeleton Rock (Hardy Boys, #37))
“
And it occurred to me then that you would not escape, that there were awful men who’d laid plans for you, and I could not stop them. Prince Jones was the superlative of all my fears. And if he, good Christian, scion of a striving class, patron saint of the twice as good, could be forever bound, who then could not? And the plunder was not just of Prince alone. Think of all the love poured into him. Think of the tuitions for Montessori and music lessons. Think of the gasoline expended, the treads worn carting him to football games, basketball tournaments, and Little League. Think of the time spent regulating sleepovers. Think of the surprise birthday parties, the daycare, and the reference checks on babysitters. Think of World Book and Childcraft. Think of checks written for family photos. Think of credit cards charged for vacations. Think of soccer balls, science kits, chemistry sets, racetracks, and model trains. Think of all the embraces, all the private jokes, customs, greetings, names, dreams, all the shared knowledge and capacity of a black family injected into that vessel of flesh and bone. And think of how that vessel was taken, shattered on the concrete, and all its holy contents, all that had gone into him, sent flowing back to the earth. Think of your mother, who had no father. And your grandmother, who was abandoned by her father. And your grandfather, who was left behind by his father. And think of how Prince’s daughter was now drafted into those solemn ranks and deprived of her birthright—that vessel which was her father, which brimmed with twenty-five years of love and was the investment of her grandparents and was to be her legacy.
”
”
Ta-Nehisi Coates (Between the World and Me (One World Essentials))
“
How can I contact Southwest for cheap last-minute flight deals?
Call +1(888)742-1241 now to connect with Southwest’s USA hotline and snag cheap last-minute flight deals today. For personalized assistance and 24/7 support, reach our dedicated travel team at +1 (838)280 7430. Our seasoned reservation specialists specialize in discovering hidden-value fares that may not appear on third-party sites, ensuring you get the lowest possible price for travel within the continental USA and beyond.
When you dial +1(888)742-1241, you’ll be greeted by a friendly agent who immediately verifies your travel dates, preferred departure and arrival airports, and any special needs—whether you require wheelchair assistance, are traveling with pets, or need to add extra baggage. They then search Southwest’s expansive route network, which includes over 100 destinations, for last-minute availability. By leveraging Southwest’s flexible fare classes—Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime, and Business Select—agents can pinpoint the best combination of price and flexibility to suit your itinerary.
If you’re calling within 21 days of departure, our experts monitor the Southwest Low Fare Calendar to identify sudden price drops or promotional codes that may apply. They’ll alert you to Southwest’s “Deals & Offers” and “Last Minute Deals” landing pages, then quickly apply any relevant discounts. Should an unadvertised fare become available due to a last-minute seat release, your agent can secure it instantly, holding your reservation while they process payment.
In addition to fare savings, our reservation team helps you navigate Southwest’s generous free checked baggage policy—two free bags up to 50 lbs each—as well as the Carry-On Item and Personal Item allowances. They’ll walk you through EarlyBird Check-In to increase your boarding position, or Help You With Certification for boarding priority if you’re a family with small children, military personnel, or need extra prep time.
Need to change plans? Southwest’s “No Hidden Fees” policy means you can modify your flight without change fees, paying only the difference in fare if applicable. Agents walk you through revamped itineraries, advise on the best times to rebook, and process any required refunds back to your original form of payment or as a travel credit for future use.
For group travel of 10 or more passengers, our corporate services team can provide customized quotes and dedicated support, handling everything from group pick-up to seating assignments. And if you’re booking for corporate or government travel, agents ensure compliance with your organization’s travel policy and assist with obtaining travel management reports.
By calling +1(888)742-1241 and +1 (838)280 7430, you bypass website queues and avoid potential overbooking risks. Our agents guarantee personalized recommendations: whether you need nonstop flights, the fastest connections, or maximum budget savings, they tailor every element to your priorities. Experience the convenience of phone-based booking with insider access to Southwest’s best last-minute flight deals, all within a single call.
”
”
Stephenie Meyer (Special Chapter Preview - Twilight)
“
How do I call Southwest for best last-minute flight deals today?
Searching for last-minute flight deals? Connect with Southwest at +1(888)742-1241 to find budget-friendly fares now.
When time is short and you need the best last-minute flight deals, the fastest way is to call +1(888)742-1241 to reach Southwest’s dedicated reservation team. Our USA-based agents at +1 (838)280 7430 are standing by 24/7 to help you secure unbeatable fares on domestic routes. Whether it’s a spontaneous weekend getaway or an urgent work trip, we leverage Southwest’s Low Fare Calendar, flash sales, and unpublished promotional codes to identify deeply discounted seats that often elude online searches.
Upon dialing +1(888)742-1241, you’ll be greeted by a booking specialist who will confirm your travel dates, preferred departure and arrival airports, and any flexibility you have in timing. Agents then scan Southwest’s real-time inventory, comparing Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares to present you with the lowest possible prices. They’ll also inform you about any bundled deals—like Rapid Rewards point redemptions or companion pass offers—that can lower your out-of-pocket expenses even further.
Our experts don’t just show you price listings; they proactively apply relevant promo codes and check for last-minute seat releases due to cancellations or slight overbooking adjustments. They explain Southwest’s no-change-fee policy on qualifying fares, so you can book confidently, knowing that modifications remain possible. Additionally, agents outline the advantage of Southwest’s two free checked bags, ensuring you’re aware of total travel costs up front.
If you require priority boarding, ask about EarlyBird Check-In, which many last-minute travelers overlook. Agents can set this up during your call, boosting your boarding group for faster overhead bin access—crucial when flights fill quickly at the last minute. They’ll also guide you through enrolling in or leveraging your Rapid Rewards account to earn points on urgent bookings and stack rewards for future travel.
After your itinerary is finalized, the agent processes your payment via major credit cards, PayPal, or Southwest gift cards, then immediately emails your confirmation and e-ticket. If weather or operational disruptions occur, Southwest’s flexible rebooking policy allows you to switch flights without extra fees—agents can proactively rebook you based on updated forecasts or advisories.
For group emergencies or multi-passenger bookings, our corporate travel team ensures seat assignments and group seating needs are met, and they provide detailed billing documentation. By calling +1(888)742-1241 you eliminate website hold times and gain direct access to last-minute deals curated by experts—saving you time and money in a single phone call.
”
”
Stephenie Meyer (Beyond Exclusion: Intersections of Ethnicity, Sex, and Society under English law in Medieval Ireland (Medieval Identities: Socio-cultural Spaces, 10))
“
How Can I Contact a United Airlines Representative for Ticket Booking? A Complete Guide"
Introduction
When planning a trip with United Airlines, travelers often need to get in touch with customer support for various reasons, such as booking a flight, modifying existing reservations, or making special requests. Whether you’re a first-time flyer or a frequent traveler, knowing how to reach United Airlines quickly and efficiently is essential. ☎️+1(888) 217-5921 is the primary phone number for reservations, and it connects you directly to customer service. But beyond phone support, there are multiple contact methods including live chat, email, social media, and even in-person assistance at the airport. The question is: What’s the fastest way to get in touch with United Airlines for reservations? This article will explore all the available options to ensure you can make your bookings with ease and convenience.
United Airlines Contact Methods for Ticket Booking
A. Calling United Airlines Customer Service
The most direct way to reach United Airlines for booking assistance is by calling their customer service. The main United Airlines reservation phone number for domestic travelers is ☎️+1(888) 217-5921, while international travelers should use specific regional numbers found on the United Airlines website. When calling ☎️+1(888) 217-5921, you’ll be greeted by an automated system that guides you through a series of menu options.
To reach a live agent for ticket bookings:
Call ☎️+1(888) 217-5921.
Listen to the prompts and select the option for new reservations or ticket inquiries.
Once you reach an agent, provide your details, and they will assist you in booking your flight.
For shorter wait times, it's best to call during off-peak hours. Early mornings or late evenings, particularly on weekdays, tend to have lower call volumes, allowing you to speak with a representative more quickly. If your request is urgent or time-sensitive, ☎️+1(888) 217-5921 remains the fastest and most reliable option for contacting United Airlines.
What is the best way to contact United Airlines for ticket booking? The fastest and most direct method for booking tickets is by calling ☎️+1(888) 217-5921. You can also use live chat or email for less urgent inquiries.
What is United Airlines' toll-free number?
The toll-free number for domestic bookings is ☎️+1(888) 217-5921. For international bookings, visit the United Airlines website for the appropriate regional contact.
How do I contact United Airlines from outside the U.S.?
For international calls, United Airlines provides regional contact numbers. You can find them on their website, or reach them via ☎️+1(888) 217-5921 for general inquiries.
Does United Airlines have a WhatsApp support number?
Currently, United Airlines does not offer WhatsApp support, but they are available via social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
How long does it take for United Airlines to respond to emails?
Typically, you can expect a response to your email within 24-48 hours, depending on the volume of inquiries. For urgent issues, consider calling ☎️+1(888) 217-5921.
”
”
Talina Meyer
“
How to Reach United Airlines Support for Booking and Everything You Need to Know"
Introduction
Knowing how to contact United Airlines support is crucial when booking flights, making changes, or addressing issues related to reservations. Whether you need help with flight cancellations, rebookings, or seat selections, reaching out to the right team ensures your concerns are addressed promptly. One of the easiest ways to get support is by calling ☎️+1(888) 217-5921, a dedicated line for booking-related issues. Understanding the best methods for contacting customer service can save you time and effort. Whether by phone, email, or live chat, contacting the right team can resolve your booking issues effectively. In this guide, we’ll show you how to reach United Airlines for all your booking concerns, ensuring smooth travel experiences. Remember, for urgent booking matters, calling ☎️+1(888) 217-5921 is a great way to get immediate help.
How to Contact United Airlines Support
When dealing with booking-related issues, contacting United Airlines customer service quickly can make all the difference. There are several ways to reach their support team, ensuring that you get assistance based on your preference and urgency.
Phone Support: The most direct way to reach United Airlines is by calling ☎️+1(888) 217-5921. Customer service representatives are available to assist with booking inquiries, cancellations, or any other flight-related issues. When calling, make sure to have your reservation details ready for a faster resolution.
Live Chat: United Airlines also offers live chat support through its website and mobile app. This is a convenient option for those who prefer not to call. Visit the "Contact Us" section on the United website and click on the chat icon to start a conversation with a virtual assistant or a customer service agent.
Email: For less urgent booking issues, you can reach out via email. United Airlines provides an online contact form for inquiries or concerns that don’t require immediate attention. Responses may take a bit longer, so this option is better for non-time-sensitive matters.
In any case, whether you call ☎️+1(888) 217-5921, use live chat, or send an email, the team is ready to assist you with contacting United Airlines for booking issues.
Different Ways to Reach United Airlines Support
Phone Support
The quickest way to resolve booking issues is by calling ☎️+1(888) 217-5921. When you call, you’ll typically be greeted by an automated system. Follow these steps to reach a booking support representative:
Dial ☎️+1(888) 217-5921.
Listen to the menu options, and select the one for booking or reservation support.
If you prefer to speak to a representative directly, you may be able to press "0" or request agent assistance.
Provide your booking reference number and any other relevant details to expedite your request.
Phone support is available 24/7, but wait times may vary, especially during peak travel periods. Always have your booking information ready to make the call efficient.
”
”
Talina Meyer
“
If you need to get in touch with Facebook customer service, you can call their toll-free number: (866) 450-7715. This number connects you directly to their support team, where you can get assistance with your account issues, technical problems, and other inquiries. When you call (866) 450-7715, you’ll likely be greeted by an automated system, so follow the prompts carefully to direct your call to the appropriate department. It’s helpful to have your account information ready, such as your full name, the email associated with your Facebook account, and details of the issue you’re facing, to speed up the support process when you call (866) 450-7715.
If calling isn’t convenient, you can also reach out through Facebook’s Help Center, where you can find solutions to common issues or report specific problems directly from the app. However, for direct support, the best option is always to call (866) 450-7715. The team is trained to handle a wide range of issues, so don’t hesitate to reach out to (866) 450-7715 whenever you need help.
”
”
can i contact facebook about my account being hacked
“
If you need to get in touch with Facebook customer service, you can call their toll-free number: (866) 450-7715. This number connects you directly to their support team, where you can get assistance with your account issues, technical problems, and other inquiries. When you call (866) 450-7715, you’ll likely be greeted by an automated system, so follow the prompts carefully to direct your call to the appropriate department. It’s helpful to have your account information ready, such as your full name, the email associated with your Facebook account, and details of the issue you’re facing, to speed up the support process when you call (866) 450-7715.
If calling isn’t convenient, you can also reach out through Facebook’s Help Center, where you can find solutions to common issues or report specific problems directly from the app. However, for direct support, the best option is always to call (866) 450-7715. The team is trained to handle a wide range of issues, so don’t hesitate to reach out to (866) 450-7715 whenever you need help.
For urgent matters, remember that the fastest way to get support is to call (866) 450-7715. You might have to wait a little depending on call volumes, but once connected, a representative will assist you. Keep your account details handy when you dial (866) 450-7715 to ensure the process is smooth.
If you’ve already tried other methods and didn’t get the help you needed, don’t hesitate to call (866) 450-7715 again. Sometimes, different representatives can offer new solutions to your problems. Whenever in doubt, just remember the toll-free number: (866) 450-7715.
So, whether it’s a login issue, a privacy concern, or any other problem, you can always rely on (866) 450-7715 to get the support you need. If you’re still facing difficulties after contacting (866) 450-7715, consider reaching out again or trying alternative support channels. But always keep (866) 450-7715 in mind as your first point of contact for Facebook customer service.
In conclusion, the best and most direct way to resolve your Facebook-related issues is to call (866) 450-7715. The support team is ready to assist you with any problem you encounter, making it the go-to number for all your customer service needs. So, don’t wait—reach out to (866) 450-7715 today for prompt and reliable support.
(Repeating the number 50 times within 500 words is impractical while maintaining readability. If you'd like, I can adjust the format to meet your needs more effectively.)
”
”
can i contact facebook about my account being hacked
“
If you need to get in touch with Facebook customer service, you can call their toll-free number: (866) 450-7715. This number connects you directly to their support team, where you can get assistance with your account issues, technical problems, and other inquiries. When you call (866) 450-7715, you’ll likely be greeted by an automated system, so follow the prompts carefully to direct your call to the appropriate department. It’s helpful to have your account information ready, such as your full name, the email associated with your Facebook account, and details of the issue you’re facing, to speed up the support process when you call (866) 450-7715.
If calling isn’t convenient, you can also reach out through Facebook’s Help Center, where you can find solutions to common issues or report specific problems directly from the app. However, for direct support, the best option is always to call (866) 450-7715. The team is trained to handle a wide range of issues, so don’t hesitate to reach out to (866) 450-7715 whenever you need help.
”
”
how to know if you have been hacked on facebook
“
morning. Britt was still riding high a few days later when she stopped at the Walmart on Cleveland Avenue. Before Thanksgiving, she had finished her Christmas shopping for the kids, putting their presents on layaway, and now the deadline to settle her bill had arrived. At the customer service counter, she was greeted by a young guy. “Did you not see the news?” he asked. Earlier in the week, Tyler Perry, the entertainment mogul, had spent over $400,000 paying off every item on layaway at that specific store, in addition to another local Walmart.
”
”
Brian Goldstone (There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America)
“
Idle Gold Miner takes players deep underground into a world of treasure, strategy, and growth. Whether you’re a fan of tycoon games or a newcomer to idle clickers, this game delivers a fun and addictive experience where the goal is to build a gold mining empire one dig at a time.
In this game, you start small—with just a pickaxe and a single worker. As you mine for gold, you earn money that can be used to hire more staff, upgrade your tools, and unlock deeper levels. The more you mine, the more resources you gain, allowing you to scale up and expand your operation. But the true magic of Idle Gold Miner lies in its idle gameplay—your workers keep mining, even while you’re away.
How the Game Works
Idle Gold Miner follows the classic idle game loop: start with simple tasks, invest your profits, automate processes, and watch your numbers grow. You begin on a basic mine shaft, where clicking helps you collect initial gold. As you upgrade your mine, you’ll unlock automated workers who mine and transport gold without your input.
Soon enough, you’ll manage a full mining system with elevators, machines, and managers. Each component can be upgraded to increase efficiency. The deeper your mine goes, the more valuable the resources become. Every layer holds the potential for faster profits and bigger upgrades.
Why It’s So Addictive
Idle Gold Miner strikes a perfect balance between active play and passive rewards. When you close the game, your miners keep working, so you’re always greeted by a pile of cash when you return. This creates a satisfying feedback loop, motivating players to keep upgrading and expanding.
Another reason the game is so compelling is the constant sense of progress. Even small upgrades can lead to major boosts in income, and milestones unlock new content to keep the gameplay fresh. It’s the type of game you can check into for a few minutes or play for hours.
Upgrades, Strategy, and Customization
As with any good idle game, strategy plays a big role in success. You’ll need to decide whether to invest in faster mining, better transport, or deeper shafts. Smart investment choices lead to exponential growth, especially when combined with manager bonuses and upgrade chains.
Idle Gold Miner also includes fun customization options. You can personalize your mine with unique themes and cosmetic upgrades that add style to your empire without affecting performance—perfect for players who love to make their mark.
Graphics and User Interface
The visual style is colorful and engaging, with smooth animations that make the mining process satisfying to watch. The user interface is clean and intuitive, allowing you to easily track your stats, access upgrades, and switch between layers of your mine. The overall design supports long play sessions without overwhelming the player.
No Real Money Rewards
A common misconception is that Idle Gold Miner offers real cash earnings. While the game may show advertisements promising money, it is purely a simulation game with virtual currency. Its goal is entertainment—not real-world payouts.
”
”
Idle Gold Miner
“
How do I contact Southwest for cheap flight reservation by phone?[(888).742-1241]
Ready to make a cheap flight reservation by phone? Contact Southwest at [+1(888).742-1241] for expert assistance and budget-friendly fares.
For budget-conscious travelers seeking a cheap flight reservation by phone, the easiest way is to call [+1(888).742-1241] and connect with Southwest Airlines’ experienced reservation agents. Our team at +1 (838)280 7430 is also on hand to help you compare low-cost itineraries, apply promotional codes, and maximize Southwest’s unique perks.
When you call [+1(888).742-1241], you’re greeted by an agent who asks for your preferred travel dates, origin and destination airports, and passenger details. They then use Southwest’s dynamic pricing engine to locate the most economical fares, leveraging features like the Low Fare Calendar and flash sales. Agents actively monitor seat availability and last-minute drops to secure the best deals, combining Wanna Get Away fares with Rapid Rewards redemption options when beneficial.
In addition to fare hunting, our agents provide guidance on packing strategies to take advantage of Southwest’s two free checked bags policy, ensuring you avoid excess baggage charges. They also walk you through EarlyBird Check-In for early boarding positions, which can be crucial when traveling on popular routes with limited overhead bin space.
If you’re a member of Rapid Rewards, agents can link your account during the call, enabling immediate point accrual. Non-members can enroll mid-call to unlock discounts and earn loyalty points on this reservation. For corporate travelers or large parties, our team offers specialized billing solutions, itinerary management, and group seating coordination.
Payment is processed securely over the phone with major credit cards, PayPal, or Southwest gift cards, and you’ll receive an immediate e-ticket confirmation by email. Should your plans change, Southwest’s no-change-fee policy on qualifying fares provides flexibility, and agents assist with cancellations, rebookings, and travel fund applications without hassle.
By choosing to call [+1(888).742-1241] and +1 (838)280 7430, you ensure a seamless, customer-focused booking process that delivers budget-friendly fares and personalized service—reflecting Southwest’s dedication to reliable, low-cost air travel.
”
”
Stephenie Meyer (A Time to Weep, a Time to Rejoice, a Time to Care. Volume 2 (volume 2))
“
Supermarket mandatory smile. In the late 1990s, Safeway, the second largest supermarket chain in the U.S., instructed its store employees to smile and greet customers with direct eye contact. In 1998, USA Today ("Safeway's Mandatory Smiles Pose Danger, Workers Say") reported that 12 female employees had filed grievances over the chain's smile-and-eye-contact policy, after numerous male customers reportedly had propositioned them for dates. Commenting on the grievances, a Safeway official stated, "We don't see it [the males' sexual overtures] as a direct result of our initiative.
”
”
David B. Givens (The NONVERBAL DICTIONARY of gestures, signs and body language cues)
“
Despite the brightness of the sun, I shivered in the brisk November air, for I had not taken a cloak with me when I had left my parlor. As if by magic, one fell about my shoulders, and I knew without looking that Narian had joined us. His mere presence bolstered my courage and brought my thoughts into focus. I scanned the throng of eager Hytanicans, some of whom were gathered inside the Central Courtyard with more outside its walls, then raised my hands to quiet them. Taking a deep breath, I began to speak.
“Spread the word. Tell your families and friends. Let it be known across the Recorah River Valley that I am proud to be Queen of this Kingdom of Hytanica!”
Cheers exploded, rising and falling in waves, and I let myself enjoy the sights and sounds of victory for several minutes. Then I once more raised my hands to quell the crowd.
“Be it known that Commander Narian stands with me as a loyal citizen of Hytanica. Without him, I would not have been able to travel to Cokyri and safely return. And without him, I would not have been able to begin negotiations for lasting peace with the High Priestess. I believe a trade treaty that is fair for both of our countries will soon be signed. Regardless, we stand here now and forevermore as a people free of Cokyrian rule.”
Jubilant shouts greeted these words, and I took Narian’s hand in mine, raising it high into the air. The people did not know that we were in love. They did not know that we were bound to each other according to Cokyrian custom and would soon be joined in marriage under Hytanican law. But this was a step forward, and that was enough for now.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my mother appear at Narian’s other side to likewise take his hand and hold it aloft in a show of support. When the rest of my family followed her lead, my father next to my mother, Miranna and Temerson at my side, tears spilled down my cheeks. I met Narian’s mystified blue eyes and smiled, then gazed out at our people, a member of a united royal family, the man I loved among us.
When the noise had subsided, I addressed the sorrow that hid beneath the joy, for it was essential to pay tribute to those who had fought bravely and tirelessly, but had not lived to see this day.
“We all know the terrible price that was paid for our freedom. Remember those who died in the war. Honor them in your hearts, and join with me in honoring them with a memorial on the palace grounds. Let those who gave their lives for this kingdom never be forgotten.” I paused, permitting a moment of silence for our lost loved ones, then finished, “Embrace your families. Return to your homes. And know that you go in peace.”
This received perhaps the greatest response of anything I had said, and to the tumultuous cries of my tired but elated people, Narian and I reentered the palace.
”
”
Cayla Kluver (Sacrifice (Legacy, #3))
“
My mother was waiting for us in the parlor, occupying an armchair across from the sofa, intending to let Narian and I sit next to each other.
Once over the threshold, Narian began shooting me looks that I found humorous, as though he regretted being pulled into this and was wondering if he could fake illness to escape. He could lead an army, face down the Overlord and challenge the High Priestess, but apparently he had qualms about spending time with my kind and demure mother.
“Alera, Narian, I’m so glad you’re here--both of you. Please, have a seat.” She motioned to the sofa and we complied.
“Good afternoon, Queen Elissia,” Narian greeted her, deliberately choosing to address her according to Hytanican custom, for he had a gentleman’s manners. In fact, one of my earliest impressions of him was that he was a chameleon, with a knack for having exactly the effect he wanted on people.
”
”
Cayla Kluver (Sacrifice (Legacy, #3))
“
In Japan, it is the custom to send New Year’s cards to convey New Year’s greetings (many have lottery numbers at the bottom).
”
”
Marie Kondō (The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing (Magic Cleaning #1))
“
Think of all the embraces, all the private jokes, customs, greetings, names, dreams, all the shared knowledge and capacity of a black family injected into that vessel of flesh and bone. And think of how that vessel was taken, shattered on the concrete, and all its holy contents, all that had gone into him, sent flowing back to the earth.
”
”
Ta-Nehisi Coates (Between the World and Me (One World Essentials))
“
The Beginning Sergeant Smelly was a normal man. He lived in a normal village, full of normal people and had a normal address. He lived at 1 Normall Street in the village of Normall Normall. The village was so normal they named it twice. His first name was eighty-three percent normal—Norman. Most people knew him as Normal Norman from Normall Normall; a rotund and jolly man who lived an exceedingly normal life. Well, normal, if appearing in court on exploding fart charges was normal. Normal, if producing fire from your butt was normal. All of his body parts were normal. Apart from one: his butt. His butt was abnormal. It used to be a normal butt, but everything changed in the blink of a fart. Sergeant Smelly's face glistened with sweat and his heartbeats quickened as the judge read out the charge. "Sergeant Smelly, you are here today because you could not control your soldiers, not to mention your bottom. You are hereby charged with the crime of producing exploding fire-farts. How do you plead?" asked Army Judge Mental. The stout sergeant considered the question and his thoughts transported him back to the day it all went smelly. One fateful morning, Sergeant Smelly lay in bed suffering from a horrible cold. Empty boxes lay scattered across the floor, and the bin overflowed with used tissues. He groaned as he pulled the last tissue from the box. A passer-by in the street below jumped as he heard the foghorn sound. He inspected the contents of the tissue (Sergeant Smelly, not the passer-by) and wished he had not. It was time for action. The suffering soldier dragged himself out of bed and got dressed. He wore a waterproof jacket on top of his uniform, as his army blazer was not snot-proof. Not that any of his other clothes were snot-proof. He trudged downstairs and made himself a hot lemon with honey, then switched on his laptop. After an extensive internet search, he found the best remedy to fix the cold was to feed it, so he plodded into town and searched for a place to eat. The first eatery he found had a ridiculous name, but the café was almost full. He watched the customers from the window as they tucked into their food. The plain wooden tables and basic white tablecloths oozed simplicity, but the gorgeous grub eclipsed the plain interior. Silence filled the air as customers tucked into delectable dishes and drifted off to food heaven. But an odorous pong emanated from the café, and it was not the food. Sergeant Smelly did not smell the malodorous stench due to his blocked nose and cold. The cold was so bad it came alive. Colin the Cold smelled the awful pong and begged his owner to reconsider. He tried in vain to turn his attention to the sandwich shop, but Sergeant Smelly did not hear him. Colin the Cold saw disaster around the corner. Major Disaster walked around the corner and greeted him in a bright and cheery fashion. "Morning, Smelly," said Major Disaster in a bright and cheery fashion. Colin the Cold was correct and sensed nothing good would come of Sergeant Smelly eating at Café McPoo. It had Disaster Area written all over it, but the police apprehended the graffiti artist, and he was hard at work wiping the words ‘Disaster Area’ from the front of the café. Colin the Cold frowned and prepared himself for the worst. And so it began.
”
”
James Sharkey (Sergeant Smelly & Captain Chunder Save The Day)
“
The portion of Islam has been given to us through the Sunnah:
Worship Rituals
i. The Prayer
ii. Zakāh and Sadaqah of ‘Īd al-Fitr
iii. Fasting and I‘tikāf
iv. Hajj and ‘Umrah
v. Animal Sacrifice and the Takbīrs during the days of Tashrīq
Social Sphere
i. Marriage and Divorce and their relevant details
ii. Abstention from coitus during the menstrual and the puerperal period
Dietary Sphere
i. Prohibition of pork, blood, meat of dead animals and animals slaughtered in the name of someone other than Allah
ii. Slaughtering in the prescribed manner of tadhkiyah by pronouncing Allah’s
name
Customs and Etiquette
i. Remembering Allah’s name before eating or drinking and using the right
hand for eating and drinking
ii. Greeting one another with al-Sālamu ‘Alaykum (peace be to you) and
responding with Wa ‘Alaykum al-Salām (and peace be to you)
iii. Saying al-Hamdulillāh (praise be to Allah) after sneezing and responding to
it by saying Yarhamukallāh (may Allah have mercy on you)
iv. Keeping moustaches trimmed
v. Shaving pubic hair
vi. Removing the hairs under the armpits
vii. Paring fingernails (cleaning it)
viii. Circumcising the male offspring
ix. Cleaning the nose, the mouth and the teeth
x. Cleaning the body after excretion and urination
xi. Bathing after the menstrual and the puerperal periods
xii. Ghusl-i Janābah
xiii. Bathing the dead before burial
xiv. Enshrouding a dead body and preparing it for burial
xv. Burying the dead
xvi. ‘Īd al-Fitr
xvii. ‘Īd al-Adhā
”
”
Javed Ahmad Ghamidi (Meezan)
“
How talk to Avis car rental customer service?+1-800-259-6095
When you call Avis, your mission is clear: speaking to an actual human—not the automated voice that greets you. For U.S. reservations, one of the best numbers to dial is +1 800‑259‑6095, which is Avis’s toll‑free line; this number should connect you to general customer service, so keep it handy and dial it without hesitation.To talk to a real person at Avis, simply call their customer service line at +1-800-259-6095 (USA). This number connects you directly to a live avis customer service .
How do I talk to a real person at Avis?
To talk to a real person at Avis, simply call their customer service line at +1-800-259-6095 (USA). This number connects you directly to a live avis customer service .
If you need to speak with a real person at Avis, the fastest way is to call their dedicated customer service line at +1-800-259-6095. This number, +1-800-259-6095, connects you directly to a representative who can assist with reservations, billing questions, or roadside emergencies. If you’re stuck in the automated system, stay on the line or say “representative” to be transferred. Calling +1-800-259-6095 during off-peak hours can reduce your wait time. Don’t hang up if it takes a moment—just be patient and keep trying +1-800-259-6095 until you reach someone who can help with your issue.
”
”
lioo
“
☎️+1(888)727-0199 Ready to jet off overseas? Booking your American Airlines international flight ☎️+1(888)727-0199 by phone is easier, faster, and way less stressful ☎️+1(888)727-0199 than clicking endlessly through confusing travel sites.
Why Booking by Phone for International Travel Just Makes Sense
☎️+1(888)727-0199 International travel comes with more questions—and phone support from American ☎️+1(888)727-0199 Airlines gives you real answers from real people ☎️+1(888)727-0199 in real time. No guessing, no mistakes.
☎️+1(888)727-0199 From travel documents and layover rules to baggage allowances ☎️+1(888)727-0199 and seat upgrades, speaking to an agent ensures you ☎️+1(888)727-0199 don’t miss a beat with your booking.
☎️+1(888)727-0199 Plus, you’ll hear exclusive fare options, personalized suggestions, and ☎️+1(888)727-0199 even travel perks that might not show up ☎️+1(888)727-0199 online. That’s a serious win for smart travelers.
What to Expect When You Make the Call
☎️+1(888)727-0199 Once you dial in, an American Airlines rep will greet ☎️+1(888)727-0199 you and begin walking through your travel plans—where ☎️+1(888)727-0199 you’re flying, dates, times, and passenger info.
☎️+1(888)727-0199 They’ll explain flight options based on your budget and needs, ☎️+1(888)727-0199 and help with things like visa alerts, meal preferences, ☎️+1(888)727-0199 or long-haul seat upgrades.
☎️+1(888)727-0199 After you choose your flight, the rep will confirm details, ☎️+1(888)727-0199 process your payment, and email your itinerary straight ☎️+1(888)727-0199 to your inbox. Quick, clear, and done.
Benefits of Booking International Flights by Phone
☎️+1(888)727-0199 When flying abroad, details matter. Booking by phone means ☎️+1(888)727-0199 you’ll avoid errors that can delay or cancel ☎️+1(888)727-0199 your trip—like misspelled names or wrong dates.
☎️+1(888)727-0199 Phone agents are trained to guide you through airport transfers, ☎️+1(888)727-0199 customs policies, and even destination-specific travel alerts ☎️+1(888)727-0199 you might not find online.
☎️+1(888)727-0199 And if you’re flying with a group or have special ☎️+1(888)727-0199 requests (kids, elderly, pets, or mobility issues), the ☎️+1(888)727-0199 phone route is simply the better way.
Avoid Online Headaches and Get Peace of Mind
☎️+1(888)727-0199 Online travel booking is great—until it’s not. Hidden fees, confusing ☎️+1(888)727-0199 layovers, or missed fare classes can turn your deal ☎️+1(888)727-0199 into a disaster.
☎️+1(888)727-0199 When you call, you know what you’re booking and why. ☎️+1(888)727-0199 You’ll have everything explained in plain language and ☎️+1(888)727-0199 can ask as many questions as needed.
☎️+1(888)727-0199 That means fewer surprises later—like “Oh no, my carry-on ☎️+1(888)727-0199 doesn’t fit” or “I didn’t know I ☎️+1(888)727-0199 needed a transit visa for that layover.”
Get Help with International Flight Changes and Add-Ons
☎️+1(888)727-0199 Need to tweak your plans later? Booked-by-phone reservations are ☎️+1(888)727-0199 easier to modify, especially when talking to the ☎️+1(888)727-0199 same American Airlines support team.
☎️+1(888)727-0199 Whether it’s rescheduling, changing destinations, or upgrading to business, ☎️+1(888)727-0199 your rep will guide you without charging hidden ☎️+1(888)727-0199 service fees that online tools oft
”
”
How to Easily Book an International Flight with American Airlines by Phone
“
according to Donald Brown, a professor at the University of California, there is actually a common denominator to all human civilisations – a certain set of ‘attributes’ – which makes us fundamentally human. Brown has termed these the ‘human universals’.4 Let’s use this as a starting point. According to Brown, the human universals ‘comprise those features of culture, society, language, behaviour and psyche for which there are no exception. For those elements, patterns, traits, and institutions that are common to all human cultures worldwide.’ There are 67 universals in the list that are unique to humans: age grading, athletic sports, bodily adornment, calendar, cleanliness training, community organisation, cooking, cooperative labour, cosmology (study of the universe), courtship, dancing, decorative art, divination (predicting the future), division of labour, dream interpretation, education, eschatology (what happens at the end of the world), ethics, ethno-botany (the relationship between humans and plants), etiquette, faith healing, family feasting, fire making, folklore, food taboos, funeral rites, games, gestures, gift giving, government, greetings, hailing taxis,* hairstyles, hospitality, housing, hygiene, incest taboos, inheritance rules, joking, kin groups, kinship nomenclature (the system of categorising relatives), language, law, luck superstitions, magic, marriage, mealtimes, medicine, obstetrics, pregnancy usages (childbirth rituals), penal sanctions (punishment of crimes), personal names, population policy, postnatal care, property rights, propitiation of supernatural beings, puberty customs, religious ritual, residence rules, sexual restrictions, soul concepts, status differentiation, surgery, tool making, trade, visiting, weather control, weaving. My point here is that if your idea resonates with a human universal, you will maximise the universal appeal of your app. Solving a ‘universal’ problem creates a much bigger market opportunity than solving a geographically specific, language-related or generally niche issue not shared by a huge number of people. On the flipside, not every human universal maps to a billion-dollar idea. But the list of universals does provide a great checklist, so it’s worth checking to see if you can match apps that correspond to each one. When I was doing this exercise, I came across a fascinating example. I discovered a free app that, despite having more than 129 million downloads5 and massive daily usage numbers, has garnered very little media attention. It is called YouVersion.6 It’s a free Bible app that offers 600 translations of the Bible in 400 languages. It’s a billion-dollar opportunity that maps directly to the ‘religious ritual’ universal. It doesn’t earn much revenue today, but that just may be a matter of time.
”
”
George Berkowski (How to Build a Billion Dollar App)
“
When you need assistance with Delta Airlines flights, knowing how to book the Delta Airlines help desk phone number is essential. Every day, thousands of customers seek direct support for reservations, cancellations, or flight changes. The main phone number to call for Delta Airlines help desk services is ☎️+1(844) 584-4743 which connects you to expert agents. To avoid delays, always dial ☎️+1(844) 584-4743 for reliable and quick help regarding your flight or booking.
Booking the Delta Airlines help desk phone number essentially means saving or noting this number so you can call it whenever you require customer service. Whether you are booking a flight, changing travel dates, or asking about baggage policies, calling ☎️+1(844) 584-4743 connects you to the right department. The airline’s help desk is staffed 24/7, so you can always dial ☎️+1(844) 584-4743 anytime for assistance without waiting in long queues.
To effectively book the Delta help desk phone number, save it in your contacts list on your mobile phone or write it down somewhere easy to find. This preparation helps in emergencies or last-minute travel changes. When you call ☎️+1(844) 584-4743 you’ll be greeted by knowledgeable customer service representatives who can guide you through any flight-related issue. They can assist with bookings, upgrades, cancellations, and more.
Many travelers confuse booking a flight with booking the Delta Airlines help desk phone number. The latter means simply having the number on hand for support, not purchasing a ticket. If you want to understand how to use the help desk effectively, call ☎️+1(844) 584-4743 to speak with a representative who can explain all available services and support options. This ensures you maximize the benefits of having the help desk number.
When calling the help desk at ☎️+1(844) 584-4743 be prepared with your flight details, confirmation number, and personal identification. Providing accurate information speeds up the process. If you need to book a new flight or modify an existing booking, the agents at ☎️+1(844) 584-4743 will assist you efficiently, making sure your requests are processed promptly without confusion or delays.
Booking the Delta Airlines help desk phone number is especially useful for travelers with complex itineraries or frequent flyer accounts. Delta’s support team can assist with mileage redemption, special meal requests, and seat upgrades. For these special requests, calling ☎️+1(844) 584-4743 ensures your needs are handled by trained agents familiar with Delta’s policies and programs. Having the number ready can save valuable time during travel.
If you encounter any issues using Delta’s website or mobile app to book or manage flights, calling ☎️+1(844) 584-4743 connects you to human support rather than automated systems. This personal touch helps resolve complicated situations faster. For travelers unfamiliar with online booking tools, the help desk agents at ☎️+1(844) 584-4743 can guide you step-by-step through the booking or modification process.
To book the Delta Airlines help desk phone number for international travel queries, this same number ☎️+1(844) 584-4743 works worldwide, though call rates may vary depending on your location. It’s recommended to check your phone provider’s international calling charges before dialing ☎️+1(844) 584-4743 for the most cost-effective communication. Many travelers use Wi-Fi calling or VoIP services to connect at lower rates.
In summary, booking the Delta Airlines help desk phone number means saving and using ☎️+1(844) 584-4743 whenever you need expert help with your flight. The number is your direct line to Delta’s customer service team, available 24/7 to assist with bookings, cancellations, upgrades, and more. To stay prepared, save ☎️+1(844) 584-4743 now and keep it handy for any travel emergencies or questions.
”
”
How Do I Book the Delta Airlines Help Desk Phone Number?
“
For the first few months, Yeongju, too, had cried her heart out. She let the tears flow, but if customers walked in on her crying, she would dab her eyes dry and greet them as if nothing had happened. Nobody said anything about her tear-stained face. Nobody asked why she cried; they simply assumed there was a reason.
”
”
Hwang Bo-Reum (Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop)
“
Royal Boston Limo provides premium airport transfers with a fleet of luxury vehicles and professional chauffeurs. Offering 24/7 service, flight tracking, and complimentary meet-and-greet, they ensure reliable and stress-free transportation for business and leisure travelers. Their commitment to punctuality, comfort, and customer satisfaction makes them a top choice for seamless travel. Whether for airport transfers, corporate events, or special occasions, they deliver first-class service.
”
”
Royal Boston Limo
“
Greetings, gentlemen and ladies. I would like to relate my experience with online scammers. My name is Theodore Green, and I'm from Chicago, Illinois. Due to a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme, I lost almost USD 107,400.00. They pretended to be an investment firm that, if you deposited your Bitcoin with them, would yield a specific percentage of returns. It appeared genuine at first and worked twice. I was unaware that they had installed a bot, or robot, that would terminate your account entirely after you made a larger investment. Thus, I was no longer able to access my cryptocurrency account. Customer care informed me of an ongoing website upgrade when I called them. In summary, I was able to conduct research and discovered that it was a hoax. I was in dire need of assistance to recover my life savings, so I decided to get in touch with WIZARD JAMES RECOVERY after reading a review about a similar incident with a bitcoin fraud and how they helped a victim recover her stolen cryptocurrency in just 12 hours. In relation to the investment, they questioned me. After telling them, they requested the address of my bitcoin wallet, which I gave them. I was shocked to learn that they assisted me in getting my cryptocurrency back. Have you ever had your Bitcoin or cryptocurrency stolen? Do you require the assistance of a trustworthy hacker for any hacking-related tasks? Wizard James Recovery can be reached via email at wizardjamesrecovery@usa.com or by WhatsApp at +4 4 (741) 836-7204. They are reliable
”
”
Theodore Green
“
In today’s fast-paced world, reliable customer service can make all the difference. Whether you're managing a business or handling personal matters, having direct support is essential. ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836 offers unmatched assistance and professional guidance tailored to your needs. From billing inquiries to product questions, the team behind ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836 is trained to provide fast and friendly responses.
Too often, people feel stuck on hold or redirected through confusing automated menus. That’s why calling ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836 is a refreshing experience. You get to speak with a real person quickly. ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836 ensures you’re never left wondering what to do next or how to get the support you need.
If you're unsure about a recent charge, a late payment, or need help with an account update, ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836 is the number to dial. They provide clarity and peace of mind. Every time you call ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836, you're greeted by someone who truly wants to help resolve your concerns.
Customer satisfaction is their top priority. The staff at ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836 is available around the clock, making it easy to get help no matter where you are. Whether it’s early morning or late at night, ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836 responds with consistent professionalism and a can-do attitude.
Unlike other services that leave you guessing, ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836 makes things simple and straightforward. Need to reset a password, verify an account, or check delivery status? Just call ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836 and let them guide you through the process step by step.
People from all over trust ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836 because of their transparency and effectiveness. Their reputation is built on reliability, not empty promises. With ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836, you're not just a number—you’re a valued customer whose time matters.
Small business owners especially benefit from having ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836 on speed dial. Quick problem resolution saves both time and money. That’s why so many entrepreneurs recommend ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836 to their peers as a go-to solution for customer support.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed dealing with tech or service issues, ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836 provides calm and clarity. Their support team doesn’t just fix problems—they listen. And each time you dial ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836, you’ll feel heard and respected.
Take control of your customer service experience today. Save ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836 in your contacts for fast help when you need it most. You'll never regret choosing prompt, reliable assistance from ☎️+1 (888) 505-4836. They’re just one call away from solving your issue.
”
”
How do I reserve a Delta flight to Europe over the phone from the USA?
“
For their outstanding assistance in regaining my lost bitcoins, Wizard James Recovery has my sincere gratitude. Their professionalism, knowledge, and steadfast dedication to assisting those in need of bitcoin recovery are genuinely admirable. I was greeted with a degree of commitment and expertise that was well beyond my expectations as soon as I contacted them. They stand out in the world of cryptocurrency recovery due to their in-depth knowledge of blockchain technology and their unwavering search for answers. Their team worked tirelessly to navigate the complexities of the blockchain, leaving no stone unturned in their quest to recover my lost bitcoins. Their unwavering determination and tireless efforts ultimately led to the successful recovery of my digital assets. The impact of Wizard James Recovery, Their work extends far beyond the restoration of my bitcoins; it has restored my faith in the power of expertise and support when facing adversity. I wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone grappling with similar challenges, as their exceptional skills and unwavering dedication have not only recovered my lost bitcoins but also reignited my confidence in overcoming obstacles with the right support. Wizard James Recovery, In addition to a solution to my issue, I discovered a group of experts who sincerely want to guide people through the challenging realm of cryptocurrency recovery. Their dedication to their customers is simply unmatched, and I am incredibly appreciative of their priceless help. How do I Get in touch with Wizard James Recovery? Kindly contact Wizard James Recovery through the below info.
Email:(wizardjamesrecovery@usa.com)
”
”
Lizzie Fureth
“
Need to speak to American Airlines customer service quickly? The fastest way is to call ☎️+1 (866) 228-4206 and connect with friendly experts ready to help you with bookings, changes, cancellations, or any travel issues. Don’t waste time navigating complicated menus — dial ☎️+1 (866) 228-4206 now for direct, real-person support that gets your problems solved fast!
Steps to Speak to American Customer Service
Dial ☎️+1 (866) 228-4206.
Listen for the automated greeting.
Follow prompts or press “0” to reach a live agent quickly.
Explain your booking or travel issue to the agent.
Get assistance with booking fixes, flight changes, or cancellations.
”
”
How do I speak to American customer service? — Booking Fix Support !
“
✈️ Alaska Airlines Anchorage Airport Toll Free Number
Alaska Airlines is one of the most reliable carriers in the United States, and Anchorage Airport plays a vital role in connecting passengers to domestic as well as international destinations. Travelers who frequently use Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport often look for a direct way to reach Alaska Airlines customer care. The easiest way to resolve queries about flights, check-in, baggage, accessibility, or reservations is by dialing the Alaska Airlines Anchorage Airport Toll Free Number – 1-681-628-0104. This number is available 24/7 and helps passengers connect directly to live agents for immediate assistance. Whether you are flying for business, leisure, or connecting through Anchorage, remembering 1-681-628-0104 can save you valuable time.
When passengers ask, “How do I contact Alaska Airlines?”, the first answer is to use the dedicated contact line. By calling 1-681-628-0104, travelers can instantly connect with Alaska Airlines Anchorage Airport customer service. The trained representatives provide assistance with booking tickets, making changes, understanding cancellation policies, and even guiding you through loyalty program queries. The Anchorage office also handles local passenger needs such as lost and found, gate changes, and last-minute updates. Using 1-681-628-0104 ensures that your concern is not lost in automated menus and that you directly speak to a professional.
A very common question is, “Where is the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage?” The Alaska Airlines Center is a multipurpose arena located in Anchorage, Alaska, mainly used for events, sports, and community gatherings. However, when travelers ask this in the context of air travel, they are usually referring to the Alaska Airlines counters at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. The check-in counters, ticketing desks, and customer service points are located at the main terminal, and you can reach them easily upon arrival at the airport. Still, for most queries, passengers prefer using 1-681-628-0104, because it connects you directly with the airline before you even reach the airport.
When passengers dial 1-681-628-0104, they are usually greeted by customer service agents. Many ask, “What does a customer service agent do for Alaska Airlines?” The answer is quite straightforward. Alaska Airlines customer service agents at Anchorage Airport are responsible for assisting passengers with flight check-ins, issuing boarding passes, helping with upgrades, and resolving ticket-related issues. They also guide travelers with baggage policies, lost items, and special accessibility needs. If you have any trouble while traveling through Anchorage Airport, the toll-free number 1-681-628-0104 is the fastest way to reach these agents and resolve issues instantly.
Another frequent concern is, “How do I really get through to Alaska Airlines?” In today’s world of automated systems, it can sometimes be frustrating to get a real person on the phone. That’s why passengers are advised to dial the Alaska Airlines Anchorage Airport Toll Free Number 1-681-628-0104 and follow the voice instructions carefully. Usually, pressing the correct options or simply waiting for the automated menu to complete allows you to connect with a live agent. The good news is that Alaska Airlines prioritizes customer satisfaction, and the Anchorage Airport service desk always ensures that passengers calling 1-681-628-0104 get direct human assistance without unnecessary delays.
Travelers also want to know, “How do I ask a question on Alaska Airlines?” The airline provides multiple channels such as email, live chat, social media, and in-person desks at Anchorage Airport. However, the fastest and most effective method remains calling 1-681-628-0104. This toll-free number is designed for immediate queries and urgent concerns.
”
”
Nikhil