October 13, 2009Comment: date request via email
In the spirit of “Daddy’s birthday observed,” The Detective Mom quotes a story from PowerPhrases! when she writes about an email date request she received from her hubby. He chose email even though they had been online in the same room together for hours.
There’s nothing wrong with augmenting relationships with email… as long as we don’t forget to get personal often enough to nourish each other. Expediency has its place – and so does romance.
August 2, 2008Reader story ~ The “Merrill Reunion”
Last week I was in Pine Bluff, AR and I drive by the Conference Center and, on the marquee, it says, “Merrill Runion 7-9 PM” So, I think to myself, I would really like to meet her. She is probably giving some sort of seminar here tonight – I’ll drop in and introduce myself.
About 20 minutes into it, I realized that I was the only person of my race there, and everyone was looking at me funny. I thought it was weird that I didn’t have to check in or buy a ticket, but I grabbed some appetizers and sat down anyway.
I asked a passer-by when Merrill was going to start speaking and they didn’t know what I was talking about. So, I re-read the sign from the window and realized it said, “Merrill Reunion”
November 20, 2007Reader Success Story: Clarity with a vendor
I have always struggled with wording what I want to say. Recently, a supplier whom we used often in the past invited me to a Show / luncheon for their company. They also mentioned the fact that we have purchased considerably less in recent months. I returned their email saying:
- I did receive the invitation, unfortunately I will be unable to attend. We have been asked to use a supplier that happens to be a sister company — however, I still depend on (supplier’s name) for many items. Your pricing is better on most of them and several of them I can only get with you. Thank you for thinking of me and I regret that I cannot attend.
Since I started receiving your weekly emails (and yes, I own a Power Phrases book) I have more confidence when I choose to speak or email someone.
November 11, 2007Reader success story ~ I know why he doesn’t trust you
This week’s success story is a post on a previous post – blame it on tivo. The post talks about how lying undermines trust in relationships, even if the lie is relatively minor. Here is the post.
Nicely put. I have tried convincing people of this many times. My favorite was my sister who ordered a coffee of the month club so she could get the free coffee maker. She had it shipped to my house so she could tell her husband we gave it to them instead of admitting she spent $20. And then had the nerve to complain that he doesn’t trust her. I told her if you are willing to lie about a coffee maker, what happens when something comes up that is even harder to tell the truth about.
September 16, 2007Reader story – sexual harrassment in the military
Last week, a friend attended Tailhook – a Navy convention that in 1991 had spiraled so out of control, it became the subject of a sexual harassment scandal and investigation. My friend was told the investigation was overblown. So I asked my military contacts and friends: “Was the Tailhook investigation overblown?” Most thought it may have been because the media does like sensational headlines, but that overall the investigation was necessary and valuable.
I received one response that opened my eyes to what the climate was like: for one female at least, in one branch of the military during the years that led up to Tailhook. I’ve always respected Celia – but now I respect her more than ever. Here’s what she said:
Quickly, I don’t believe the issue of Tailhook was overblown. The military was put under civilian authority to keep control for a good reason. We are not a dictatorship, nor is our government a military regime. The military answers to the Secretary of Defense (a civilian) who answers to a civilian (our President). The President also serves as Commander in Chief.Sexual harassment is a MAJOR problem in the military. It was a lot worse 20-30 years ago than it is today.
I was 5’9″ and 145 lbs, white, female, intelligent, and competent. I’m not pretty in the conventional sense, but I looked Midwestern, wholesome (some say “corn-fed”), green eyes and reddish brown curly hair. In high school, I was not anywhere near cheerleader or prom queen pretty, but in the Army, I was quite a popular target for unwanted male attention.
Be sure to read the rest of the post by clicking “more.” (more…)
