How To Understand People

There are certain qualities we value in people, so much so that they inspire us to be more like these individuals. Here are the attributes that I most revere in people I truly respect and admire: Intelligence : People who can not only debate me on a substantive topic, but teach me something new along the way. They're intellectually curious, articulate, and well-read.  Hard work : I respect someone who's willing to give it their all in order to achieve a goal. Perseverance:  They get knocked down, but they get up again. They don't allow challenges or problems, however big or small, to derail their dreams. Passion:  They eat, drink, and sleep music, writing, business, cooking, or whatever it is they love. They're constantly trying to learn more, whether by reading books, watching YouTube videos, or asking others.  Unyielding : No matter how many times their friends or relatives might advise them to invest their energies in something that will be...

I've noticed over the years that men and women tend to be completely different creatures in the morning. While men tend to be a bit quieter and slower to get in the swing of things, women are already chatting it up as soon as they get to the office. When I arrive, I usually stop by the restroom on my way to my cubicle. It's rare for me to hear the voice of a man in the lobby or hallways prior to 10 a.m. Rather, the chatter of women -- sometimes groups of three or more -- fills the air. I know you can't put all men and women in these two separate buckets. It's just a general observation I've made at the offices I've worked in, not to mention at home: My wife is always more disposed to conversing in the morning than I am. Not until I eat breakfast and have some time to stretch my limbs do I feel ready to face the day. For some reason, women seem to be perkier and more energetic in the morning than their male counterparts. You'll find my boss and anot...

How do you know an actor or actress is phenomenal? That's easy. His or her performances should elicit intense emotions in you. You know the person has put in a sensational performance when you find yourself rooting for him or her all throughout. And, if they're playing the role of villain, you know they've done a brilliant job when you hate their living guts and can't wait for the character to pay for what they've done. However, a couple of actors and actresses take this a step further. Some play the role of villain so well that you still admire the character despite his or her evil deeds. Here are two examples: Robert De Niro : There's a reason I call this guy my favorite actor of all time. His uncanny ability to play a mobster or thief in serious action thrillers (e.g. Goodfellas, Casino, The Score, Heat) and play a mobster, cop or agent in comedic flicks (e.g. Analyze This, Meet the Fockers, Showtime) shows how remarkably versatile he is. He is suc...

I've observed that many people are too lazy to do two things that are greatly beneficial to our health: read and exercise . Their usual excuse tends to be that they're too tired to read or exercise when they get home from work. But the myriad benefits of these activities can't be overstated. Exercise helps you lose or maintain your weight, provided you also watch what you eat. It not only reduces the risk of heart disease, but it helps lower your cholesterol and blood pressure. Most people (including me) report feeling so much better when they exercise regularly. That's because exercise had been proven to reduce stress and anxiety and put people in a better mood. Then there's reading. It's obvious how beneficial reading can be for one's mental health. It keeps the mind busy. You learn new facts, new concepts, new vocabulary words. If you're reading non-fiction, the author's perspective can lead you to reassess your personal beliefs or opi...

In case you're new to Facebook or you don't really use it for anything other than to look at others' profiles, it has a feature called "checking in." When you check in, Facebook tracks down your location via your phone or computer's GPS and lets you indicate what venue you're currently at -- whether it's a restaurant, store, or concert. Your Facebook friends will receive an alert to that end on their News Feed. I hardly ever check in; I only do so when I know it'll likely lead to a compelling conversation of some sort. For example, many of my friends are movie buffs like me. If I check in saying I'm watching a popular movie at the local theater, chances are they'll reply with their opinion of the movie, assuming they've already seen it. When I check in at the ballpark, my baseball buddies will chime in saying they're watching the game at home, and we'll go back and forth as the game wears on. Unfortunately, I've notice...

The notion that there's a perfect job out there for everyone is, in a word, absurd. Sure, there are jobs that would suit us far better than others, but that in no way means they're perfect in every way. There's always at least one thing about every job that we wish we could change. Many employees can't stand their boss or at least one fellow coworker. Others are paid poorly, work ridiculous hours, have a nightmare of a commute to contend with each day, or just don't feel inspired or challenged anymore. If work were perfect, we really wouldn't be able to call it work, would we? It'd be more like a hobby. Like everything else in life, work is a definite trade-off: we give an employer our time in exchange for money with which we support ourselves and our families. As part of the deal, we consent to adhering to the employer's policies and working with other employees to advance the company's mission and meet or exceed its goals. However, at...

If you were a collector of any item -- be it coins, paintings, or china -- how much would you be willing to fork over for one at auction? What about if you were a very wealthy collector? Dozens of rare documents from periods spanning 200 years of American history just went up for auction, with historical artifacts and original manuscripts fetching millions of dollars each. Among them were original copies of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment -- marking the first time the pair have been sold at the same time. The Emancipation Proclamation sold for a whopping $2.17 million and the 13th Amendment sold for a massive  $2.41 million . They are each among a handful of original copies that still exist and are being held in private hands. What's more, they each bear the original signatures of Abraham Lincoln, Secretary of State William Seward, and other prominent men of the day. Lincoln originally issued the order abolishing slavery in 1863, but the copy just...

It can be so tempting to give up on our goals and dreams. We become frustrated when we're slow to make progress. Well-meaning friends and family try to pull us in a different direction. We hit forks in the road that paralyze us into a state of inaction. We lose complete hope. Setting goals starts with the realization that you will face various challenges -- that's a given. Second, and this goes without saying, having a defeatist attitude -- whether right out of the gate or when you're closer to achieving said goal -- will make it all but impossible to attain success. A defeatist attitude yields defeatist results. If you were to ask people what the most essential factor in achieving one's goals is, what do you think they'd say? While hard work and passion play an important role, even more pivotal is perseverance.  You can have all the drive in the world, but if you fall apart at the first sign of a challenge, you will not succeed. Don't give up!  Don...

If you had a choice between stealing or cheating, which one would you do? And, no, "neither" isn't an option. Also, assume that you won't get caught or go to jail if you pick the former, and your partner will never find out you cheated if you choose the latter -- unless, of course, you spill the beans yourself. Tough choice, isn't it? Cheating and stealing both feel very wrong. This would be a very difficult position for anyone to be in. Here's what I'd do: I would steal, but then find a way to return the items. The way I see it, stealing is something you can "undo" simply by getting the stolen goods back into the hands of their rightful owners. It's just a matter of hanging on to them until you can track down the victims and give them back their belongings. Cheating, on the other hand, can't be taken back. Once you sleep with someone other than your partner, it'll haunt you forever, the guilt likely driving you to come clea...

I've noticed that every time I request a couple of days off, one of my co-workers immediately asks, "So where are you going?" They assume that if a person plans to be out for three or four days, they must be planning a vacation. While that's always a possibility, what happened to requesting time off just to relax? I've done this on several occasions over the years. Reality check: Some of us actually like using the free time to:  Sleep in  Binge-watch Netflix in our underwear or  pajamas  Catch up on our reading  Watch a movie at the local theater  Hit up a nearby beach  Do things around the house, like clean,  organize, or renovate Traveling can be fun, but it can also be awfully draining. Between planning, packing, walking, and hailing cabs, it can often feel like work in itself. In other words, people sometimes take time off to travel and end up feeling as tired -- if not more so -- when they come back home than if they had go...

I was just telling my coworker how tempted I am to sit this election out. To me, the presumptive Republican and Democratic nominees -- Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, respectively -- are equally lousy. And I think we have the media to blame for glorifying them. We know all politicians have a few skeletons in their closet, but these two take it to a whole new level. Trump has made disparaging remarks about women, Muslims, fellow Republicans, and other groups. His reluctance to release his tax returns has dogged his campaign. And many within his own party don't even regard him as a true conservative, for he has taken liberal positions on a host of issues in the past. (Not to mention he, as a former Democrat, donated boatloads of money to various Democratic campaigns.) For Clinton's part, the email scandal has proven to be an albatross around her neck, as are Benghazi and her husband's affairs, which many feel will forever blight his legacy. Poll after poll shows t...

I went to the doctor's office today for a follow-up. While there, I couldn't help but notice how chaotic the environment was. All three ladies at reception seemed to be tending to three things at once, leaving me to wonder when I was finally going to be attended. We try to adjust our working style and personality  to fit the nature and pressures of our job, sometimes with no success. Some of us work in fast-paced environments where having to meet multiple deadlines within a short time frame is par for the course. Others might work in, say, a government agency where the tempo is much slower, people have the breathing room to tackle one thing at a time, and projects might take weeks if not months to be finalized. I find myself in the latter camp. While my job tends to get boring sometimes because of endless red tape slowing things to a crawl, I prefer this to a position where I feel overwhelmed -- with too much work but too little of me to go around. I've been in th...

Maryland, a Mid-Atlantic state characterized by its plentiful coastlines and waterways on the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic, doesn't get as much hoopla as states like New York and Massachusetts. Yet, it's still steeped in unbridled history and charm, making the state known for blue crabs worthy of a Fun Facts post of its own. Without further ado, here are 12 interesting facts about the Old Line State: Many people mistakenly think that Baltimore is the capital of Maryland. While Baltimore is the state's largest city, Annapolis is its capital. The state is named after Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of King Charles I of England and mother of Charles II and James II. One of the thirteen original colonies, Maryland is considered the birthplace of religious freedom in America, not Massachusetts. It was formed in the early 17th century as a refuge for persecuted Catholics from England by George Calvert, the first Lord of Baltimore. It became the thirteenth state to ap...

It isn't being a good cook or a hardcore sports fan, though those things definitely help. A secret to winning a man's heart is to be supportive of his decisions, whether they involve his health, appearance, education, or career. Among the many things a man seeks in a woman is encouragement . He wants a partner who will encourage him to follow his dreams, no matter how outlandish they may seem at first. Even if you find his plan to leave the medical field and become a professor preposterous, for example, don't lambast him for it. Hear him out and see what he has to say. His reasons for wanting to make the switch may be totally valid. Every man desires a woman he can confide in -- someone who inspires him to reach for the stars, not shoots down his every aspiration. If you take exception to all or most of his plans, you can rest assured he'll come to one conclusion: you are not the person he sees himself having a future with. In the end, men want someone who bel...

A few days ago, I wrote a post about a high school kid who loves his cat enough to make her his date for the prom. Another example of animal lovers making four-legged friends a central part of a special occasion in their lives involves Canadian couple Dominic Husson and Louise Veronneau. The couple flew to California for their wedding, just so they could tie the knot at the state's largest no-cage, no-kill cat sanctuary, Cat House on the Kings. Both share a deep love for felines, and their guest list included over 1,100 of the sanctuary's cats. Since its founding, the sanctuary has helped find homes for over 20,000 cats and 7,000 dogs. Wow. And to think that I call myself a cat lover! This couple takes their passion for animals to a whole new level. While some people might see the couple's move as unusual, I commend them for what they did. Aside from the fact that they had every right to plan the wedding as they wished, they found a way to integrate a cause abou...

It's often been said -- and I believed this myself before conducting further research  -- that calories eaten at night are more fattening than those eaten early in the day. This seems logical given that we're closer to bedtime, and our bodies are mostly inactive during sleep. For this reason, many people are often advised to eat heavy breakfasts and very light dinners. But this isn't the case. Doctors and dietitians say that calories are calories, no matter what time you eat them. In reality, what matters are the total calories you take in. Weight gain is simply eating more calories than you burn; it doesn't matter whether it takes place at 7 a.m. or 11 p.m. What and how much you eat, coupled with any physical activity over the course of the day, ultimately determine whether you gain, lose, or maintain your weight. People eat at night for a host of reasons often unrelated to hunger, like coping with boredom or stress. And after-dinner snacks tend not to be con...

Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist Carl Jung (1875-1961) once said, "Thinking is difficult, that's why most people judge." I think Jung hit this one out of the park. People, in general, are lazy thinkers. They try to minimize their thinking as much as possible, thus the reason my social psychology professor in college once told my class that human beings are "cognitive misers." I think this explains in part why people have become so reliant on reality television -- or, more broadly, TV in general -- for entertainment. In this era of Netflix and streaming content, the last thing most people are thinking about is reading Shakespeare for leisure. Technology, moreover, seems to be exacerbating the problem. The easier things become, the less inclined we are to think critically to arrive at solutions to problems. And why don't people want to think? Because it's difficult, taxing, strenuous. Most people wish to spend as little brainpower as poss...

The late author, missionary, and public speaker Lillian Dickson (1901-1983) once said the following: "Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once." I agree completely with the above quote. You can't use the same coin twice unless you visit the same establishment repeatedly and happen to get back a coin you provided when making an earlier purchase. But the chances of that occurring are slim to nil. We get only one life to live on this earth, so we might as well make the most of it. The time you're spending reading this post you will never ever get back, so it is my hope that you see it as time well spent. Spend as much time as you possibly can with those you love. Indulge your hobbies. Listen to your favorite songs. Eat your favorite foods. Work toward achieving whatever it is you have on your so-called bucket list, whether it's getting a master's degree, having three kids, or visiting every continent at leas...

On this day in 1901, Connecticut becomes the first state in the U.S. to enact a law regulating motor vehicles. It limited their speed to 12 mph in cities and 15 mph on country roads. Speed limits had been established earlier in the United States, but only for non-motorized vehicles. In 1652, the colony of New Amsterdam (presently New York) issued an order stating that “No wagons, carts or sleighs shall be run, rode or driven at a gallop,” or else the driver would incur a fine of no less than “two pounds Flemish.” In 1899, the New York City cabdriver Jacob German was arrested for driving his electric taxi at 12 mph. The path to the law begin enacted in 1901 began when Representative Robert Woodruff submitted a bill to the State General Assembly proposing a motor-vehicles speed limit of 8 mph within city limits and 12 mph outside of the limits. The law passed in May 1901 specified higher speed limits but required drivers to slow down when approaching or passing horse-drawn vehicles...

I actually experienced this firsthand in the 5th grade. The apple of my eye -- the girl whom I'd pined over since meeting her three years earlier -- was ensnared by, of all people, my best friend. If that's not the ultimate form of betrayal, I don't know what is. I was partly to blame in that I was so shy to make a move that the girl likely ran out of patience. She tried dropping hints as often as she could: staring at me in class, asking me whether I had a date for the dance, giving me cutesy cards on Valentine's Day. She even told me one day that I was #2 on her list of guys she liked the most. When #1 transferred to another school in the 3rd grade, I was suddenly well positioned to win her heart. Unfortunately, however, I never had the guts to ask her to be my girlfriend. Still, she could have hooked up with anyone who wasn't my friend, let alone my closest buddy. I don't know if it was payback for giving her false hope, or whether she did it in hope...

You have a huge fight with your spouse. Your car leaves you stranded on the highway. You lose power at the office and, to your dismay, you forgot to save three hours' worth of work. You accidentally spill soda on your spanking-brand-new blouse. Ever have a day like this, where everything seems to go wrong? We've all been there. I'm actually in something of a rut as we speak. When you find yourself stuck in such a rut, the first thing you need to do is calm down. Breathe. Relax. Decompress. Then, remind yourself that things will get better. It's normal to hit a rough patch every now and then. Sometimes things just don't go in our favor. The sooner you accept that, the quicker you'll get through this phase. Then, do your best to resolve the problems at hand. Once you and your spouse have calmed down enough to have a conversation, let him or her know what's on your mind and work together toward a resolution. Keep the lines of communication o...

Nothing agitates me like getting unsolicited calls from telemarketers. What boggles my mind is how these intrusive companies get a hold of my phone number. If you find yourself in a similar boat, there are various websites online on which you can report the offending company or phone number. When I don't recognize the number, I proceed to type it on Google and run a search. Usually, there will already be complaints issued about said phone number on sites like 800notes.com. Some people even report the numbers to the Federal Trade Commission. I never answer the phone unless I recognize the number. If they leave a message, I vet it in order to determine whether the source is legitimate. Oftentimes, it's a call from, say, AT&T or my bank. In other cases, however, it's a scam that far too many consumers fall prey to. I advise all my friends and readers to do the same. Some of these schemes can be egregious; the shady companies pull out all the stops to get people...

Sam Steingard couldn't find a date for his high school prom, so he took -- who else? -- his cat Ruby! Steingard's mother bought the cat a dress and a sparkly collar for the occasion, and the two took plenty of pictures together. Ten years ago, Ruby was spotted behind a Ruby Tuesday's restaurants, and that's how the name came about. The family and their neighbors only have great things to say about the feline. As it turns out, she's very friendly and loves people. She and Sam share a very intimate bond. When he was younger, she'd walk with him to school, and once they'd arrived, she'd walk herself home and meet him there after school. Same enjoys talking to her in a baby voice and giving her well-deserved treats. There's no question that Sam wasn't too jaded about not finding a human date for the prom -- little did he know the "purr-fect" one was at home! Do you feel this young man was nuts to do such a thing?  Do you think it...

I don't know about you, but I get annoyed when couples engage in too much PDA (public displays of affection). Whether it's excessive hugging or profuse kissing, it makes me want to shout, "Hey, get a room already!" I've seen this so many times at malls and movie theaters, with said couples often in their teens. It's as if they become oblivious to their environment, not letting anything get in the way of their groping or tongue-wrestling. What's worse, sometimes they reach for each other's butts and other private areas. I blame this, in part, on the parents. There's no reason these kids should be out that late in the first place. I recently learned that a mall near me is implementing a "curfew" policy where those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult after 9 p.m. I think every mall across the county should follow suit. Excessive PDA is disrespectful and inappropriate. It sends the wrong message to other people who may...

On this day in 1800, President John Adams (1735-1826) ordered the federal government to pack up, leave Philadelphia, and set up shop in the nation’s new capital -- Washington, D.C. After Congress adjourned its last meeting in Philadelphia on May 15, Adams told his cabinet to make sure Congress and all federal offices were up and running in their new headquarters by June 15, 1800. Philadelphia served as the nation’s capital from 1790 until June 10, 1800. Official archives and documents were transferred from Philadelphia to the new capital via ship over inland waterways. President and Mrs. Adams did not move in to the president’s mansion, which sat unfinished, until November of that year. Settling in to the White House was no walk in the park for the new first lady. In December, Abigail Adams wrote to a friend that she had to line-dry their clothes in what eventually was dubbed the East Room. John Adams was the first president to live in the White House. It was President Theodore...

Hold your loved ones a little bit tighter tonight. Tell them you love them and make a conscious effort to spend time with each and every one of them. The tough reality of life is that we never know when the last time we'll see or talk to someone will be. There's nothing worse than losing a loved one whom you know you could and should have made more time for. Unfortunately, between kids, work, and other responsibilities, many of us are strapped for time. Some things and people naturally get put on the back burner. But even a phone call, text, email, or message via Facebook is something. At the very least, you can arrange to see someone once every couple of months. Even better, you can host a get-together to which you invite your closest friends and relatives. That's like killing several birds with one stone. I've said this before innumerable times on the blog: Time is the most valuable gift you can give a person. Why? Because it's the one thing -- ot...

Guess what's in style again? That's right -- shopping. CNN Money reports that retail sales rose 1.3% in April compared to the prior month -- the largest monthly gain in over a year and a promising sign that the U.S. economy is improving after a disappointing first quarter. But people aren't opening their wallets and swiping their credit cards for everything. Right now, beauty products, sporting goods, cars, and eating out at restaurants is the rage. Clothes and electronics, on the other hand, aren't as popular this spring. Investors fear that buyers just aren't excited about new clothing and accessories. Consumers also have a clear preference for shopping online, as evidenced by Amazon, whose stock hit a record high this week above $700 a share. Traditional big box stores like Macy's, whose stock tumbled 18% this week, are in dire straits. Some economists say that people shouldn't read into the bump in sales too much. They say the gains in April sa...

You're tired. You're stressed out. You feel like there isn't enough time in the day to do everything. Life seems overwhelming, many of your problems seemingly insurmountable. We've all been there. Just relax and take things one day at a time. Problems can't be fixed overnight. Worries don't evaporate in the blink of an eye. Take it one step at a time. A horrible day won't last forever. There's always the promise of a better tomorrow. Things will get better with time. If you feel you've reached the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. If you feel it can't get any worse, smile -- it'll only get better moving forward. But you must never lose hope. Once hope is lost, it becomes nearly impossible to break out of the downward spiral so many of us get ourselves in. We become deeply depressed, our self-esteem and vigor diminishing more and more by the day. Don't let that vicious circle of negativity get the best of you. Remin...

According to a study published this month in the Journal of Consumer Research , consumers shouldn't be so quick to let online user ratings guide their purchase decisions. Indeed, the study suggests that the belief that online user ratings, which virtually all retails provide on their websites, are good markers of product quality is largely an illusion. For the study, researchers investigated user ratings for over 1,200 products across 120 product categories, from blood pressure monitors and bike helmets to air filters. Their analyses reveal a very low correlation between average user ratings of items on Amazon.com and product ratings, based on objective tests, found in consumer reports. Further, the likelihood that an item with a higher user rating performs objectively better than an item with a lower user rating is only 57 percent, which casts some doubt on the validity of user ratings. The study also examined what information consumers rely on when judging the quality of ...

Few cities (if any) cities in the United States are as charming and rich in history as Boston. The capital and largest city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts boasts everything from Fenway Park, and Copley Square to Faneuil Hall and many of the country's most respected universities. Here are 19 fun facts about the city dubbed the Bay State, many of which: The city proper encompasses 48 square miles with an estimated population of 655,884 in 2014, making it the largest city in New England and the 24th largest city in the United States. The city is the cultural and economic hub of a considerably larger metropolitan area called Greater Boston, home to nearly 5 million people. Boston was founded on the Shawmut Peninsula in 1630 by Puritan settlers from England. It was the scene of several pivotal events of the American Revolution, including the Boston Tea Party, Boston Massacre, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Siege of Boston. Boston is home to the United States' old...

I'm sure you've heard this saying before: The person who cares the least in and about a relationship has more power. To a certain extent, I think this is true. People are good at perceiving when someone else is heavily reliant on them physically and emotionally. When you're overly clingy with a friend or partner, it tends to drive the person away. But why? It goes back to what I've stated countless times in various blog posts. We like the chase. We want what we can't have. We tend to take for granted what's too readily available. It's as if we become so accustomed to the other person that we begin to take them for granted. We put less effort into the relationship because we're convinced doing so won't have any negative consequences. We're confident the person will remain attached at our hip no matter what we say or do. But life has a funny way of turning the tables on us. Once the person realizes that they're being taken advanta...

When it comes to the many annoying habits people have, there's one that tops the list, or comes close to it: chewing with one's mouth open . Ugh!  Were these people not taught manners? I don't care if I'm on a date, in a meeting at work, or at a friend's party. When I see people chomping on chips or chewing gum with an open mouth, it not only annoys me to no end, but makes me want to exhort them to quit it. I realize not everyone is conscious of when they're doing this. That's why the best solution is usually to point it out respectfully, though it doesn't mean they'll kick the habit immediately. Sometimes it takes having a couple of people voice their annoyance for the culprit to put the kibosh on the behavior. The impact is magnified when a complaint is issued by one's boss, a hot date, or someone else whose acceptance is highly valued. If no one makes a peep, however, the offender will carry on with this most irritating quirk. If a...

According to a new study, some people dump their significant other due to -- drumroll please -- excessive snoring! These participants cited lack of sleep and seeing snoring as a "turn-off" as reasons they wanted to call it quits. What I'd like to know is the extent to which these people tried to resolve the issue before breaking up with their partner. Did they try nose strips? Sleeping in separate rooms for a while? Having a doctor weigh in? I think snoring, no matter how annoying, is a poor excuse for ending a serious relationship, especially one that could potentially lead to marriage. There must have been other problems in the relationship to compel these people to take such a drastic step, like infidelity or financial woes. My wife snores quite often, and I can't imagine ending our marriage over this petty an issue. I think any person who sees snoring as grounds for a break-up has serious issues. What's your opinion? Would you dump your partner ove...

I apologize for posting this a tad late, but we all know how busy Mother's Day weekend can be. And mine was no exception! I want to wish all you wonderful moms out there -- whether you're 20 or 45, married or single -- a very Happy Mother's Day. May it be one filled with joy, love, and laughter. Mom's are real life superheroes. They do it all -- from cooking to laundry to making sure their kids excel in school. We wouldn't have made it this far without your guidance, so for that, we thank you. Happy Mother's Day!

Sooner or later, we're bound to come across someone who will envy something we have. It could be our success at work, youth, social relationships, shiny car, lovely house, or blissful marriage. What's the best way to deal with these people? Well, it's obviously not appropriate to boast of your advantages. The best approach is to pay them no attention . Try to change the subject to something of a less personal nature, like the weather, celebrity gossip, or sports. If you don't meddle in people's affairs, why should they butt into your business? The worst thing you can ever do in this situation is show off . Don't throw the fact that you have more of something -- or something of greater value -- in people's faces. Such behavior will inevitably bring out the worst in people. From what I've seen, they're capable of everything from spreading vicious rumors to, you guessed it, stealing from you. Moreover, many of us have worked very hard for everyt...

In recent weeks, I've written several posts encouraging readers to take pride in their true selves and not change their personality, quirks, values, or beliefs simply to appease others. And with that I segue into this important question: If you had to choose one quality you'd like to be known for, what would it be? Here are a few examples: Being kind Being sweet Being smart Being hard-working Being genuine Being humble Being sociable Being honest Being loyal While I wouldn't mind being recognized for my hard-working nature or humility, I think intelligence takes the cake. I am far from the most gregarious person at work -- I won't win any awards for my people skills anytime soon -- but people regard me as intelligent, and to me, it's the ultimate compliment. I was always a fantastic student -- getting everything from history trophies and reading certificates to writing medals. I graduated from college summa cum laude. Though I'm not i...

U.S. companies didn't do much hiring last month. According to the Labor Department's latest report, only 160,000 jobs were added in April -- considerably fewer than the 197,000 jobs economists had anticipated. As a result, the unemployment rate stayed at 5%. This has many people worried that the U.S. economy has slowed, despite two years of strong hiring. The disappointing report adds fuel to the argument that 2016 has gotten off to a slow start. And we all know that when the U.S. economy is mired in a slump, it has serious implications for the rest of the world. I check the job boards every so often and still don't see as many positions available now -- at least not in my industry -- as in 2007, right before the recession struck.  Still, many Americans have begun looking for work in recent months, hopeful they can find better-paying opportunities. April saw a decent lift in wages -- which grew 2.5% annually -- but that's still below the 3% to 3.5% tha...

I came across the following quote earlier this week while browsing the web: "What people think of you is none of your business." When I started to analyze the quote more carefully, I realized that there's a lot of truth to it. Sure, we all want to know what others think of us so that we can manage our reputation accordingly, including dispelling any misconceptions they may have about us. But that doesn't necessarily mean that you should change anything about yourself based on information you dig up. Regardless of what they think of you, if you're happy with yourself, that's all that matters . If you're not entirely happy with yourself and think they have a point -- whether it's that you should talk more during meetings or not talk over people in conversation  -- there's no harm in working to improve yourself in those areas. I want people to regard me as an intelligent man, so if I were to discover that they think otherwise, would I take o...

Everyone knows that getting wasted on Cinco de Mayo (May 5) is an enduring tradition for many in the United States. But most people don't know the stats -- specifically,  how much people actually drink. Here are a few fun facts that put this in perspective: Tequila sales typically double in bars and restaurants on Cinco de Mayo, making it one of their most profitable days of the year. In 2014, Americans bought over 12 million cases of tequila. That's a lot of booze! Margaritas accounted for nearly half of all cocktails sold on Cinco de Mayo in 2011 and 2012. Consumers spend over $2.9 billion on margaritas annually, which accounts for roughly 14 percent of all cocktail sales! 30 percent of the margaritas sold are flavored. The United States sells twice as much tequila as Mexico, the country where it originated. On another note, more than 81 million avocados are consumed by Americans on Cinco de Mayo, which are used in guacamole. Tortillas are also widely consumed i...

There's nothing more admirable than someone who takes pride in their nerdy, geeky, wacky, or otherwise crazy self. When someone tells us not to be a certain way, it makes us want to be that way even more -- ten-fold. It's as if we're rebelling against a perceived attack on us. I love people who resolve to be true to themselves no matter how much criticism they get for it. They love themselves and don't apologize for it. To be different is to be unique -- not wrong. It's something to celebrate, not disparage. We should never compromise the things we believe, like, or do just to placate the masses. I'm tired of the pressure to conform to societal norms and expectations. We only have one life to live. Let's do so on our terms -- not anyone else's!

You should find time in the day to laugh, what I and many others consider to be one of the most enjoyable reactions human beings are capable of. There's nothing like cracking up -- when something is so funny that you can't help but cry, or drool. There have been several occasions where my wife, friends, and I are having dinner, and someone says something so funny that I all but choke on my food. And then the icing on the cake is when your laughter provokes the same reaction in those you're with. A second person starts laughing, then a third, and so on. When I'm feeling angry or sad, there's nothing like a hilarious joke or incident to turn my frown upside down. It's just what the doctor ordered. A good laugh is so powerful that it can completely change one's mood in a matter of seconds. If I had to make a list of the things I enjoy doing the most, laughing would be high up the list, along with sleeping and eating. Not only is it therapeutic, but it...

Most people know very little about James Monroe (1758-1831) other than the fact that he was one of the first presidents of the United States, if that. A recent discovery proves that the fifth commander in chief lived in much higher style than historians and history geeks previously thought. Indeed, the modest residence once touted as Highland, Monroe's estate near Charlottesville, Virginia, is now being classified as a mere guest house. So where did Monroe live? It turns out that the well-preserved foundation of what is being described as a "free standing and sizeable house" was discovered in the front yard of what was believed to be Highland for so many years. Archaeologists unearthed stone foundations, charred planks, a a chimney, and a wealth of artifacts, suggesting that a fire in the mid-19th century destroyed a considerably large and imposing structure. Tree rings visible on the wood in the house that still stands indicates it was cut down around 181...