Tipping…An Interesting New Approach

Tipping used to be something we did after we received a service. It always made sense to leave a little extra on the table or the credit card at the end of a meal, a haircut, or a massage.

In the last several months, I’ve noticed an additional “tip line” on my credit card receipts at buffets, pizza parlors, sandwich shops, etc.

I’m all for tipping if I receive good service, but why a tip for the cashier who takes my money before I enter a buffet, or the person at the counter who took my pizza or sandwich order?

I have seen these people show clear signs of disappointment when I draw a line through the tip and write the total at the bottom.

If you come to my table to take my order, bring me my food and drinks, and are kind and efficient, I’ll be happy to give an extra 20 percent, but let’s wait until you’ve done something more than press a few keys on the cash register and take my money.

Balance

At times I feel as though I am spending too much time working or preparing for work. Other times I think it would be a good idea to be more social. Whenever I feel “out of balance,” I think of a simple idea I learned in a class several years ago.

Our lives consist of social, financial/professional, mental, physical, and spiritual components, and the best way to be healthy is to balance these five areas.

The social piece consists of spending time with family and friends. It may be getting together for dinner, playing cards, or seeing a movie. It’s just moving outside of you.

Financial and professional go together. Here we look at earning and managing our money. Many of us find that this area is truly out of balance!

Mental pursuits include reading, taking classes, engaging in conversations, etc. This includes anything that expands our minds.

Physical endeavors usually center around taking care of our bodies. Exercising, eating right, and seeking medical help or advice when needed all fall into this category.

The spiritual area is all about focusing on our spiritual path, which is different for every person. Some attend services, meditate, chant, or practice certain types of yoga. For many, this is a very personal area.

Writing this is a good reminder that it’s time for me to find a little more balance in my life.

Celebrate!

A friend once told me that it’s important to find reasons to celebrate. Maybe you commemorate a holiday, a new job, or a graduation. People, who know me, know that I believe birthdays are a reason to celebrate.

It’s the first day of your year…a day to congratulate yourself on your accomplishments and look ahead to the “new year.” It’s your New Year’s Day!

April 21st was my birthday. I filled the day with things that I love to do. That meant a great workout (a new gym), a movie, terrific food, time at the pool, reading a good book, quality relationship time, and a little bit of relaxation.

I had a great birthday…a start to a terrific year. I decided that maybe I need to treat everyday like it’s my birthday and find more reasons to celebrate!

Silence is Golden

I’m a real fan of the movies. I see several every year. In 2007, I went to over 70. I love a great performance by an actor or actress or a great storyline, but to be able to truly be transported into Juno’s world, or to get wrapped-up in The Bank Job’s story of a heist gone wrong, patrons need to observe the message presented at the beginning of each film: Silence is Golden.


Let’s face it, if you feel the need to speak to the person beside you, talk to someone on your cell phone, or even make comments to yourself (yes…I have had this happen on several occasions)…you need to wait for the DVD release and watch the film at home.

Extra movie noise is not limited to people talking. Have you ever sat close to the person who has packed a “to go snack?” For some reason the person has decided that they must have a bag of chips, a few sodas, and some candy during the show. I’m all for having some treats, but unwrap and eat them quietly!

If you are one of the guilty ones, please remember we all paid around $10 to see the movie…let us watch it quietly!

In a Perfect World

I haven’t posted an entry on my blog for several weeks. When I thought of an idea, I hesitated to put “pen to paper.” The reason was simple, I felt like what I wrote had to be perfect.

I had shared my blog address with one of my best friends, and after he read my “thoughts,” his first comments were about the mistakes he found in spelling and grammar. I mentioned that, for me, blogging was more about sharing ideas…not flawless mechanics.

Even though this is how I feel, I became very self-conscience about writing…too concerned about making errors. I was right back in Composition 101 where each paper was returned, “bleeding” with corrections.

In a perfect world, we would never make mistakes, but if we can’t let go of this need to get an A in mechanics as well as content, we won’t write.

How did you decide who to vote for?

As we move closer to the 2008 presidential election we are gradually narrowing the field of candidates. Several states have already had their primaries, and the rest are coming up in the next few months.

How do we decide who is going to get our vote?
Do we consider their positions on health care, the war in Iraq, economic recovery?

You would think so, but I'm not so sure.

I think many people are casting their primary ballots based on things that don't have anything to do with where McCain or Clinton stand on the issues.
Nobody wants to admit to this..or even believe it, but several Americans are selecting the republican and democratic candidates for president based on gender, race, personality, and yes...in many cases looks.

We even have an unbelievable number of men and women voting for a particular democrat because Oprah supports him. I guess these are the same individuals who won't even read a book unless Oprah puts it on her book club list.

Maybe we should take some time to watch a debate, read a few articles, or maybe attend a rally so we can make a selection based on something other than how handsome a certain candidate might be.

It's okay to sweat!

I spend a lot of time at the gym. I lift weights, take yoga, and do cardio almost everyday. I either use the cardio equipment, spin, or take step class (yes...they still have step class).
There is nothing like taking a great spin or step class...working hard...endorphins kicking in...and really working up a good sweat.

I've noticed over the last year or so that people in these classes don't want to sweat. As a matter of fact, they go to great lengths to avoid it.

I take a spin class two times a week. The room is probably about 14' by 14'...if that. There are five fans (2 oscillating), four air conditioning vents, and a window. The fans and air conditioning are always on "full force," and the window is wide open (even in the winter).

Now, I work out hard...so I go all out in class, and I am barely able to break a sweat.

You might say...speak up.
Believe me, I have.
As a matter of fact, I’ve spoken to the instructor a few times, and he is not interested in sweating either.
Once I made the mistake of telling the instructor that I really didn’t want one of the fans pointed in my direction.
Well, you would have thought that I had committed a crime.
The woman next to me likes to have at least three fans blowing on her at all times. So, the thought of not having this additional fan blowing directly on her as well really upset her!
She jumped off her bike and went to tell the manager…who happened to be out of the office. Still exasperated, the woman came back into class, took out her cell phone and called the gym headquarters! She didn't get anything resolved so she reluctantly got back on her bike and completed the remainder of the class with only the two fans to keep her from sweating.

After I left the class, I heard shouting in the spinning room. I walked back to the door and heard two women yelling about the fan incident. I listened calmly for a few minutes, and finally said, "Come on ladies, this is a cardio class…it's okay to sweat!"