Polish people in Britain are being told the weather is a good subject with which to strike up a conversation with a stranger. But is it? The Magazine's Tom Geoghegan puts the theory to the test.
Digesting what I'd just said to her, the old woman on the 220 bus to Putney, west London, scrutinises me intently.
If she turns away to look out the window now, that would spell humiliation.
Maybe "It's rather chilly out there," wasn't the right thing to say, and perhaps rubbing my hands together was a touch contrived. The one-second pause that follows feels like 10.
"Yes, it's meant to warm up later," she says at last, with a half-smile. Filled with relief, I respond with something about our forgotten summer and the verbal floodgates are open.
She neatly steers our chat from weather to traffic jams and from there to Ken Livingstone and candy floss, all in the five minutes before she alights.
Speaking to a stranger is a bit of a minefield, but it makes you feel good afterwards, especially in London where spontaneous conversations are pretty unfamiliar territory.
Not so in Devon, where a new welcome pack for Polish migrant workers advises them that a good way to start a conversation is to remark on the weather. And this unscientific survey in the capital suggests the advice is well-judged.
Anonymity
Out of 10 unsuspecting strangers, only one refuses to answer - a glance and a look away warn me off.
Six were positively bright and chatty, one was too immersed in his iPod to hear me, another couldn't understand me and one gave a courteous response but then returned to reading his newspaper.
Unlike a greeting that follows an introduction, a conversation between strangers is shrouded in anonymity and uncertainty. Standing at a bus stop or in a queue, the possibilities are endless. Begin with the weather and who knows where it will lead?
In one hour of approaching strangers, I learnt what the best time of year is to visit Marrakesh (October to March), that the local library is relocating (just down the road), what market traders make of the soon-to-be opened shopping centre nearby (upbeat and bullish) and what everyone thinks about the weather (even the sun has them moaning).
Older women are more talkative than younger men, who were glued to mobile phones and personal music players. And opportunities to chat abound - even when waiting to cross a road there's time for a quick exchange.
The weather is a good ice-breaker because in the UK it's so unpredictable and it's common to all of us, says Ros Taylor, who works with companies to encourage people to talk to each other. If you're stuck, look around you - if you're in a queue then talk about queues.
"We often imagine that conversations have to be clever and witty and shattering in their perceptiveness but all we want to do is bond and have a chat and make the time pass more quickly."
Chatting in this way makes life more pleasant, she says, and it's more common outside the South East.
"Go to the North of England and Scotland and people are ready to talk to anything that moves or breathes. They always have something in their heads that they say as soon as anyone comes into view."
But electronic communication is eroding our ability to connect personally, she says, and this could be contributing to increased feelings of isolation and even depression.
Another factor is that increased mobility means communities are less settled than they used to be, says Don Gabor, author of How to Start a Conversation and Make Friends.
"In a neighbourhood, when you interact on a regular basis it serves as a step-off point for the next conversation, so if you see someone every day, at the chip shop or in the park, and you start a conversation it can grow beyond the weather."
But a conversation with a stranger helps both parties - a smile at a cashier could be the first connection she has enjoyed that day.
Use sights, smells and sounds as verbal cues, he says. But there are simple ground rules - don't complain, avoid politics and religion, and keep strong opinions to yourself.
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Monday, 28 July 2008
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
You would *Laugh* at the sad pick up lines I used to use!
No seriously, some of the stuff I used to try in college is absolutely laughable... It's one of those things where you look back on yourself and shake your head. How did I ever think that would work! Things have changed though... things have changed a lot!
Just recently I was sitting back with some friends killing time with a pitcher of beer at our favorite patio bar just outside the city. A typical afternoon on a lazy Saturday. Much how we spend many of our Saturdays unwinding from the week. We had our eye on a girl sitting at another table with a friend. She was about an 8 out of 10...
Anyways... I told my buddy's I'm going over there to get her number. The usual teasing and betting whether or not I could do this, did not happen. They had been through this with me before.
I walked over and spoke with her and her friend for a minute or two, and just like I have performed in the past, she was writing her number down on a napkin in no time. In fact... they had already been approached once already, and the 3 of us were laughing together about how they had turned him down... poor bastard.
Other guys buy women drinks, try to dance with them, impress them with their friends, and try all kinds of crap for hours, night after night - and usually get nothing! I talked with her, and got her number within minutes - like I've done hundreds of times in the past. Another one down.. Easy!
The question is: What Happened? What did I say?
When I was in college, if you had of asked me if this was possible, I would have said "Yeah right... Maybe... but not for me!" But now... I do it all the time.
I'm nothing special either. I'm a regular guy... just past thirty. I'm not athletic, or especially good looking, In fact I've never been that type of guy that women ask out, or approach out of the blue.
Now though... It's not uncommon for me to be doing regular chores during the day, and get 3 or more numbers per day, and...dozens of numbers a week from good looking, interesting women... The type of women I would choose. The type of women YOU CAN choose!
I don't have any secret locations either... ok that's not Completely True!.. I do know of some places that are better than others, but in general, these techniques work best in every day places... your local coffee shop, mall, grocery store, were women are not expecting to be picked up. Their guards down in these places.
In fact.. a bar or night club can be devastating for men trying to pickup women. Every woman in the bar is expecting it, and has their guard up, and standards raised higher than ever. Without a special advantage... a guy's doomed to even try!
So how do I do this? How does a regular guy go from wishing for attention to getting phone numbers in minutes?
Just recently I was sitting back with some friends killing time with a pitcher of beer at our favorite patio bar just outside the city. A typical afternoon on a lazy Saturday. Much how we spend many of our Saturdays unwinding from the week. We had our eye on a girl sitting at another table with a friend. She was about an 8 out of 10...
Anyways... I told my buddy's I'm going over there to get her number. The usual teasing and betting whether or not I could do this, did not happen. They had been through this with me before.
I walked over and spoke with her and her friend for a minute or two, and just like I have performed in the past, she was writing her number down on a napkin in no time. In fact... they had already been approached once already, and the 3 of us were laughing together about how they had turned him down... poor bastard.
Other guys buy women drinks, try to dance with them, impress them with their friends, and try all kinds of crap for hours, night after night - and usually get nothing! I talked with her, and got her number within minutes - like I've done hundreds of times in the past. Another one down.. Easy!
The question is: What Happened? What did I say?
When I was in college, if you had of asked me if this was possible, I would have said "Yeah right... Maybe... but not for me!" But now... I do it all the time.
I'm nothing special either. I'm a regular guy... just past thirty. I'm not athletic, or especially good looking, In fact I've never been that type of guy that women ask out, or approach out of the blue.
Now though... It's not uncommon for me to be doing regular chores during the day, and get 3 or more numbers per day, and...dozens of numbers a week from good looking, interesting women... The type of women I would choose. The type of women YOU CAN choose!
I don't have any secret locations either... ok that's not Completely True!.. I do know of some places that are better than others, but in general, these techniques work best in every day places... your local coffee shop, mall, grocery store, were women are not expecting to be picked up. Their guards down in these places.
In fact.. a bar or night club can be devastating for men trying to pickup women. Every woman in the bar is expecting it, and has their guard up, and standards raised higher than ever. Without a special advantage... a guy's doomed to even try!
So how do I do this? How does a regular guy go from wishing for attention to getting phone numbers in minutes?
Thursday, 17 July 2008
25k To Shut Up About This: by Chad P. Flick
Having something go viral the way Myspace and Facebook have done, is a totally different ball game from the viralness you get when you tell your best friends.
Using ordinary tell a friend pages to make your site go viral and bring in traffic is like watching grass grow, or turtles race.
It isn't going to happen fast, and when it does happen, get this, it wont be any thing significant.
I don't know about you, but I don't have the time to waste filling in friends emails when I come to those types of pages.
I'm lazy!
So what did Myspace & Facebook do different??
They cheated!
They allowed people to import their entire contact list from their email provider.
Now, instead of the average 1 or 2 people being told, it jumped to 30+
So one person tells 30 of his friends, which in turn tells 30 of his friends, which in turn tells....
Well, you get the picture!
I'm not going to insult your intelligence explaining how viral this is.
In well under 2 years they had hit top 10 in the world.
Can this be replicated? Yes. Well now it can
A 23 year old Aussie from "down under" is spilling his guts on how to create massive lists of people begging you to sell them your products with an easy to use software that the gurus have pleaded with him not to sell to the public.
The exact same software that he's been offered $25,000 with a "shut up about this" disclaimer by a very big internet marketer.
Don't even think about this though if your website is permanently stuck on a tiny little server that can't handle lots of bandwidth.
If you are unable to upgrade, this is not for you. You'll have so much traffic you'll want to turn the flow of visitors off.
For more info visit: OptinAccelerator Test Drive
Using ordinary tell a friend pages to make your site go viral and bring in traffic is like watching grass grow, or turtles race.
It isn't going to happen fast, and when it does happen, get this, it wont be any thing significant.
I don't know about you, but I don't have the time to waste filling in friends emails when I come to those types of pages.
I'm lazy!
So what did Myspace & Facebook do different??
They cheated!
They allowed people to import their entire contact list from their email provider.
Now, instead of the average 1 or 2 people being told, it jumped to 30+
So one person tells 30 of his friends, which in turn tells 30 of his friends, which in turn tells....
Well, you get the picture!
I'm not going to insult your intelligence explaining how viral this is.
In well under 2 years they had hit top 10 in the world.
Can this be replicated? Yes. Well now it can
A 23 year old Aussie from "down under" is spilling his guts on how to create massive lists of people begging you to sell them your products with an easy to use software that the gurus have pleaded with him not to sell to the public.
The exact same software that he's been offered $25,000 with a "shut up about this" disclaimer by a very big internet marketer.
Don't even think about this though if your website is permanently stuck on a tiny little server that can't handle lots of bandwidth.
If you are unable to upgrade, this is not for you. You'll have so much traffic you'll want to turn the flow of visitors off.
For more info visit: OptinAccelerator Test Drive
Making Friends with Online Bingo: by Ben Binding
Bingo is not only a way to have fun and perhaps earn a few quid but is an exciting new way to make friends. Though originally seen as a game for older women, online bingo has transformed that image as a global game played by young and old, men and women such is its massive and ever growing popularity.
There are an ever increasing number of online bingo sites to choose from, each offers a variety of different games and prizes. One common feature though of these sites is the online community. These groups are as important as the game or the prize money. In these sites people can chat and have a laugh with people from all over the country and world. People who would never normally meet can strike up new friendships that can last and exist outside the bingo site.
Traditional bingo halls have always been a good place to meet friends and make some new ones. Some people are put of from bingo halls whether it's the stereotypical view of smoke filled room with a cheesy bingo caller and grannies doing a spot of knitting in between games. Some just find it difficult to get to, having to arrange a sitter for your children, paying a small fortune for your taxi and worse of all having to brave the sometimes awful weather. With online bingo you can stay in the comfort of your own home have a nice cup of tea and chat all night long with your friends, not to mention winning a few pounds along the way.
Message boards are another great way to communicate with fellow gamers and most online bingo sites offer some kind of board that allows its users to post messages. This is a great way of communicating with people who aren't even online at the time. User can post a message to a friend so that they can reply when they come back online. It's also a great way of picking up hints and tips to win online bingo games. The helpful community will only be too happy to help by passing on the secrets of there success so that you can start winning big time. It's also a great way to ask and get answers to any questions even those not related to bingo .
There are an ever increasing number of online bingo sites to choose from, each offers a variety of different games and prizes. One common feature though of these sites is the online community. These groups are as important as the game or the prize money. In these sites people can chat and have a laugh with people from all over the country and world. People who would never normally meet can strike up new friendships that can last and exist outside the bingo site.
Traditional bingo halls have always been a good place to meet friends and make some new ones. Some people are put of from bingo halls whether it's the stereotypical view of smoke filled room with a cheesy bingo caller and grannies doing a spot of knitting in between games. Some just find it difficult to get to, having to arrange a sitter for your children, paying a small fortune for your taxi and worse of all having to brave the sometimes awful weather. With online bingo you can stay in the comfort of your own home have a nice cup of tea and chat all night long with your friends, not to mention winning a few pounds along the way.
Message boards are another great way to communicate with fellow gamers and most online bingo sites offer some kind of board that allows its users to post messages. This is a great way of communicating with people who aren't even online at the time. User can post a message to a friend so that they can reply when they come back online. It's also a great way of picking up hints and tips to win online bingo games. The helpful community will only be too happy to help by passing on the secrets of there success so that you can start winning big time. It's also a great way to ask and get answers to any questions even those not related to bingo .
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
The best vibrators to please a woman
Vibrators have become the best friends of women who are alone or who find their sexual urges to be much higher than their partner can satisfy. Women who love enjoying multiple orgasms find a vibrator an indispensible toy. The fun part is that they can use the vibrator alone or with their partners.
Vibrators can arouse women who pass through various sexual stages before reaching orgasm. When a woman uses a vibrator, it makes her every moment comparable to love play, which helps in attaining full sexual arousal and satisfaction. With the new age vibrators that come with so many different features, women have been able to explore areas of their sexuality which were hitherto unknown even to them.
Lot of women are unable to reach orgasm even after having sexual intercourse with their male partners. There can be many reasons for this unsatisfactory sexual experience. With a vibrator in hand, these women can achieve this sexual climax with ease; after all, who has heard of a vibrator getting tired? Vibrators can go on till the time women reach an orgasm of their liking.
There are many styles and types of vibrators available in the market providing women options to explore their sexual orgasm with vibrator sex. The most prominent vibrators are rabbit vibrators, clit vibrators, Jack rabbit vibrators, adult vibrators, and G-spot vibrators. These different types of vibrators can help make vibrator sex a pleasurable and memorable experience. Read on to know briefly about each of these vibrators.
Rabbit vibrators
This vibrator is named after a rabbit, which is a cute and sweet animal. A rabbit vibrator contains a shaft, beads, pearls, and swivels. These provide internal stimulation. The rabbit like ears of a rabbit vibrator provides external stimulation. Women who use rabbit vibrators experience both internal and external stimulation.
Rabbit vibrators are among the most popular sex toys, which are available in different styles in the market. There are many styles in rabbit vibrators, which ensure immense fun and pleasure for women users. Some of the styles in rabbit vibrators include romping ramping rabbit, hop'n rabbit stroker, double bunny, and rabbitronic rabbit vibrator.
Clit vibrators
Clitoris is the most sensitive of the sexual organs of a woman. If the clitoris of women is stimulated properly, they can easily achieve orgasm. The best sex toy, which ensures proper stimulation of clitoris in women, is clit vibrator.
Clit vibrator is used through vagina and should not be used through anal area. Some of the styles of clit vibrators are hand held clit vibrators and wearable clit vibrators, which can recharge the sex life of any woman.
Some of the hand-held clit vibrators include wiggle wand clit vibrators and octopussy clit vibrators, which have eight legs and resemble an octopus in shape.
Jack rabbit vibrators
Jack rabbit vibrators contain a 7 inch shaft and multi-coloured rotating beads, which help stimulate the innermost parts of the vagina. Women should use Jack rabbit vibrators with water or oil based lubricants for best results.
Women who use Jack rabbit vibrators can expect sexual ecstasy beyond their known boundaries. Jack rabbit vibrators can also be used by couples for enhancing their sexual experience.
Adult vibrators
Adult vibrator is a general term for vibrators, which are used by women above 18 years of age for their sexual gratification. Adult vibrators are not a new thing for women. These were used prescribed by doctors in the past for treating hysteria problems among women. Today adult vibrators have become friends of women who use these sex toys for sexual arousal.
G-spot vibrators
G-spot arousal is considered the height of sexual stimulation in women. If this spot is stimulated during sexual intercourse, a woman achieves orgasm each time. However, in most women, it remains unexplored, as it is very deep in the vagina, where a man's penis finds it difficult to stimulate it. However, use of G-spot vibrators has helped many women achieve sexual orgasm.
G-spot vibrators are available in different shapes and styles which help women explore their G-spot up to its full potential. Some of the shapes include dolphin and jelly G-spot vibrators.
Some women may think that vibrator sex is only for those who are adventurous. It may be an adventure to have vibrator sex. However, it opens up many unexplored parts of vagina of a woman. Vibrator sex with the help of different types of vibrators helps women explore their true sexual potential and revive their sex life.
Vibrators can arouse women who pass through various sexual stages before reaching orgasm. When a woman uses a vibrator, it makes her every moment comparable to love play, which helps in attaining full sexual arousal and satisfaction. With the new age vibrators that come with so many different features, women have been able to explore areas of their sexuality which were hitherto unknown even to them.
Lot of women are unable to reach orgasm even after having sexual intercourse with their male partners. There can be many reasons for this unsatisfactory sexual experience. With a vibrator in hand, these women can achieve this sexual climax with ease; after all, who has heard of a vibrator getting tired? Vibrators can go on till the time women reach an orgasm of their liking.
There are many styles and types of vibrators available in the market providing women options to explore their sexual orgasm with vibrator sex. The most prominent vibrators are rabbit vibrators, clit vibrators, Jack rabbit vibrators, adult vibrators, and G-spot vibrators. These different types of vibrators can help make vibrator sex a pleasurable and memorable experience. Read on to know briefly about each of these vibrators.
Rabbit vibrators
This vibrator is named after a rabbit, which is a cute and sweet animal. A rabbit vibrator contains a shaft, beads, pearls, and swivels. These provide internal stimulation. The rabbit like ears of a rabbit vibrator provides external stimulation. Women who use rabbit vibrators experience both internal and external stimulation.
Rabbit vibrators are among the most popular sex toys, which are available in different styles in the market. There are many styles in rabbit vibrators, which ensure immense fun and pleasure for women users. Some of the styles in rabbit vibrators include romping ramping rabbit, hop'n rabbit stroker, double bunny, and rabbitronic rabbit vibrator.
Clit vibrators
Clitoris is the most sensitive of the sexual organs of a woman. If the clitoris of women is stimulated properly, they can easily achieve orgasm. The best sex toy, which ensures proper stimulation of clitoris in women, is clit vibrator.
Clit vibrator is used through vagina and should not be used through anal area. Some of the styles of clit vibrators are hand held clit vibrators and wearable clit vibrators, which can recharge the sex life of any woman.
Some of the hand-held clit vibrators include wiggle wand clit vibrators and octopussy clit vibrators, which have eight legs and resemble an octopus in shape.
Jack rabbit vibrators
Jack rabbit vibrators contain a 7 inch shaft and multi-coloured rotating beads, which help stimulate the innermost parts of the vagina. Women should use Jack rabbit vibrators with water or oil based lubricants for best results.
Women who use Jack rabbit vibrators can expect sexual ecstasy beyond their known boundaries. Jack rabbit vibrators can also be used by couples for enhancing their sexual experience.
Adult vibrators
Adult vibrator is a general term for vibrators, which are used by women above 18 years of age for their sexual gratification. Adult vibrators are not a new thing for women. These were used prescribed by doctors in the past for treating hysteria problems among women. Today adult vibrators have become friends of women who use these sex toys for sexual arousal.
G-spot vibrators
G-spot arousal is considered the height of sexual stimulation in women. If this spot is stimulated during sexual intercourse, a woman achieves orgasm each time. However, in most women, it remains unexplored, as it is very deep in the vagina, where a man's penis finds it difficult to stimulate it. However, use of G-spot vibrators has helped many women achieve sexual orgasm.
G-spot vibrators are available in different shapes and styles which help women explore their G-spot up to its full potential. Some of the shapes include dolphin and jelly G-spot vibrators.
Some women may think that vibrator sex is only for those who are adventurous. It may be an adventure to have vibrator sex. However, it opens up many unexplored parts of vagina of a woman. Vibrator sex with the help of different types of vibrators helps women explore their true sexual potential and revive their sex life.
Busy Sports Bars To Watch The 2008 Olympics: by Mario Stewart
If you don't get a ticket for your favorite team match and wish to experience the great feeling and live action, NYC has a lot for you. New York has a lot of great sports bar that gives you the same feeling just like a live match in front of you. These places are ideal to enjoy with friends along with a chilled pint of beer.
The busy sports bars in NYC welcome all the alumni groups and the games lovers where they catch the action of the game along with the great food discounts and superb drinks from all over the world. The sports bars have numerous TV's in order to make you feel as if you are sitting in the stadium and do not miss even a single action. Viewing a match along with the other game lovers makes the atmosphere more lively and vivacious. These busy sports bars have few sports zone with a lot of pool tables. Ping pong and bowling arrays. It is completely fun to enjoy a game in these bars.
Now for the people who wish to watch the 2008 Olympics and for some reason can not make it to go and see the match live, they can enjoy the game in the superbly organized sports bar which gives you the same feeling just like watching a live match along with mad crowd.
Some of the great busy sports bars in New York City are:
ESPN Zone: It is one of the best busy sports bar in New York. The game lovers enjoy watching the game in the huge screening room with extra sound effects. This bar is a two storey bar spread over an area of about 33,000 square foot. It has 11 Zone Thrones, speakers and tray table with chairs. This sports bar gives you a feeling as if you are actually in the stadium.
Tonic East: It is the hottest and newest multi- level sports bar that stands out due to its awesome décor and lighting. It is a cool, classy and elegant place with rich wood furniture, padded sofas and great private booths with superb sound system and lighting. This place has huge plasma Televisions and a spectacular patio. The menu and drinks in this bar is electric with a lot of choices for everyone.
Slate Plus: It is among the most unique and dramatic venues in New York. Positioned in Flatiron District, this bar is spread over an area of about 16,000 square feet. This lounge has very comfy sofas and chairs that create an atmosphere of a lively living room. A lot of games are also offered here like billiards table and ping pong tables. Slate Plus has great facilities and services of a restaurant. Enjoying a game with great food and drink is all what is offered here.
New York has numerous sports bars that are made keeping in mind about the sports lovers. These places offer a marvelous atmosphere that gives a feeling of watching the game live and enjoy to the fullest.
The busy sports bars in NYC welcome all the alumni groups and the games lovers where they catch the action of the game along with the great food discounts and superb drinks from all over the world. The sports bars have numerous TV's in order to make you feel as if you are sitting in the stadium and do not miss even a single action. Viewing a match along with the other game lovers makes the atmosphere more lively and vivacious. These busy sports bars have few sports zone with a lot of pool tables. Ping pong and bowling arrays. It is completely fun to enjoy a game in these bars.
Now for the people who wish to watch the 2008 Olympics and for some reason can not make it to go and see the match live, they can enjoy the game in the superbly organized sports bar which gives you the same feeling just like watching a live match along with mad crowd.
Some of the great busy sports bars in New York City are:
ESPN Zone: It is one of the best busy sports bar in New York. The game lovers enjoy watching the game in the huge screening room with extra sound effects. This bar is a two storey bar spread over an area of about 33,000 square foot. It has 11 Zone Thrones, speakers and tray table with chairs. This sports bar gives you a feeling as if you are actually in the stadium.
Tonic East: It is the hottest and newest multi- level sports bar that stands out due to its awesome décor and lighting. It is a cool, classy and elegant place with rich wood furniture, padded sofas and great private booths with superb sound system and lighting. This place has huge plasma Televisions and a spectacular patio. The menu and drinks in this bar is electric with a lot of choices for everyone.
Slate Plus: It is among the most unique and dramatic venues in New York. Positioned in Flatiron District, this bar is spread over an area of about 16,000 square feet. This lounge has very comfy sofas and chairs that create an atmosphere of a lively living room. A lot of games are also offered here like billiards table and ping pong tables. Slate Plus has great facilities and services of a restaurant. Enjoying a game with great food and drink is all what is offered here.
New York has numerous sports bars that are made keeping in mind about the sports lovers. These places offer a marvelous atmosphere that gives a feeling of watching the game live and enjoy to the fullest.
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