Table Etiquette

“Table etiquette” teaches us the various aspects of desirable dinning-related behavior. This article begins with the basic, rudimentary aspects of dining with the family, dining in a restaurant and some general but critical tips about food handling. Basically, these are all pure common sense actions. However, we need to talk about them because, as we all know, common sense is probably the most uncommon in nature.

When a family sits down for a meal at the dining table, the head of the family sits at the head of the table. For example, in a family of four, the father, head of the family sits at the head of the table; the mother usually sits on the right, the eldest child on his left and then the younger child. In a restaurant, normally two kinds of covers are laid out. One is for the fixed menu and the other for a la’carte service.

For a la’carte service, usually knife and fork are laid out in addition to a quarter plate on left hand side (also called side plate) and a water goblet (or tumbler). The goblet, turned upside down, is positioned just above the tip of the knife. In this service, the other cutlery required for various courses of meal would be brought in by the waiter as the dining progresses.

Some food handling tips

Ø  While dining on a table, always ensure not to make a cluttering sound with the cutlery and the plate.

Ø  Do not try to lift too large a piece of food with the fork. The result can be embarrassing and perhaps disastrous.

Ø  Noodles or spaghetti should be rolled on to the fork before eating.

Ø  When having soup or corn flakes / porridge/ in a soup plate/bowl with only a small quantity of the food left in the soup plate/bowl, then the soup plate/bowl may be tilted a little, but away from you. Do not tilt it towards yourself, lest you will spill the contents.

Ø  While having food items such as peas, with only a few peas left on the plate, take them on to the upturned fork with the help of a knife. Do not try to pierce the peas with the fork; you may either make a spectacle of yourself or send peas shooting around the table.

Ø  At the end of the meal, when you have finished eating, always keep the pieces of cutlery (knife, fork or spoon-fork) parallel to each other in the centre of your plate, perpendicular to you. That is, the handles of the cutlery pointing towards you.

Ø  While having a buffet, make sure that after taking food on to your plate, you do not start eating near the buffet table. This obstructs other guests from serving themselves. It is a polite gesture to move away.

Have you got it right?

Do you have an attitude problem? Find out by answering these simple questions.

1.       If your friends make a programme to go out and you are asked to join them, you...

a.       Excitedly say yes and go.

b.      Say, you are busy.

c.       Straightaway refuse.

2.       It is your 16th birthday and your friends have forgotten to wish you, you...

a.       Do not wish them on their birthdays.

b.      Forgive and forget easily.

c.       Keep quiet about it.

3.       If you feel your closest friend is behaving absurdly, you...

a.       Leave him/her and move into a new friend circle.

b.      Accept your friend the way he/she is.

c.       Ask him/her the reason and try to solve the problem.

4.       You want to attend a friend’s birthday party and your mother asks you to take your younger sister to the party, you...

a.       Obey your mother.

b.      Start fighting and then sulk.

c.       Leave your sister at the neighbour’s place and head for the party.

5.       If your friend ignores you at a party, you...

a.       Ask him/her about it.

b.      Feel unwanted and unhappy.

c.       Think it is time to end the relationship.

6.       Your exams are a day away and it is your best friend’s birthday, you...

a.       Attend the party without any thought about your exams.

b.      Call your friend up, give the reason for not coming and wish him/her.

c.       Sit and study without bothering to wish even on the phone.

7.       Your friend has a new expensive PC, you...

a.       Force your parents to buy you the same brand.

b.      Are aware of your parents financial status and do not pester them.

c.       Sulk and grumble for days together.

8.       Your friend has started smoking and asks you to do the same, you...

a.       Give him/her company.

b.      Refuse and persuade him/her to give the cancer stick.

c.       Are unsure about what to do.

9.       You have to study for your Maths exam and your mother asks you to go to the market for some vegetables, you...

a.       Refuse directly.

b.      Throw tantrums but go nevertheless.

c.       Readily do the chore.

10.   Do you have a lot of peer pressure in your life?

a.       Yes.

b.      Not at all.

c.       A little.

Marking scheme

                                A             B             C

                1.            10           5              0

                2.            5            10             0

                3.            10           0              5

                4.            10           0              5

                5.            10           5              0

                6.            5            10             0

                7.            5            10             0

                8.            0             5             10

                9.            0             5             10

                10.          10          0               5

65-100   Give some rest to your speedy life. It is too fast to handle. You should take decisions more wisely. Try to change your attitude and see wonders happening in your life.

35-65 You are just perfect. A blend of extremes and moderates. You are a type of person who cares equally for self and others. You know how to make others happy keeping your attitude same as before. Be the way you are.

0-35   Just look into the mirror for a while, don’t you think you need to change yourself a bit. It is of real importance for a person to be social in life. Be at least that. You are on the verge of losing friends. You perhaps are unaware of the fact that friends are difficult to find but easy to lose. Change your attitude and take it easy.

Seven Deadly Sins

Try and avoid the following seven sins for healthy living:

·   Obesity: Your weight must not exceed 20 per cent of your ideal weight. Over-weight places more stress on the heart to supply blood to the additional fat cells.

·    Physical Inactivity: Majority of the people today lead a sedentary lifestyle and this raises the risk of a heart attack. Therefore, eat less and exercise more.

·  Smoking/Alcohol: Such bad habits can increase the risk of premature deaths or even life-long diseases.

·    Blood Cholesterol: High cholesterol is a poison for your body system. So put a brake on your fat consumption.

·   Blood Pressure: Keep your salt in-take low as eating more salt can lead to high blood pressure.

·   Diabetes: It is hazardous to your health because diabetes makes you vulnerable to heart problems.

·     Stress: Stress leads to heart problems. Take a break and practice yoga or meditation to maintain equilibrium of health and achieve peace of mind. 

Happier This Way

Ø  Avoid postponement.

Ø  Be prompt in all your dealings.

Ø  Consider well before you commit.

Ø  Dare to do right; fear to do wrong.

Ø  Help the needy; feed the hungry.

Ø  Avoid the company of the vicious.

Ø  Hold integrity sacred.

Ø  Do not injure another’s reputation.

Ø  Do not lie under any circumstances.

Ø  Never try to appear what you are not.

Ø  Observe good manners.

Ø  Pay your debts promptly.

Ø  Do not doubt the intentions of a friend.

Ø  Respect the advice of parents.

Ø  Save when you are young; spend when you are old.

Ø  Use your spare time to improve yourself.

Ø  Do justice to your work.

Trendy vs Traditional

The ‘unceasing conflict’ between parents and their offspring can be at times most challenging  to explain. And the so-called generation-gap may be the widest gulf, which even the greatest builder would  find difficult to fill.

These two generations are like the lines of a railway track— never to meet. Youths go on in their ‘mod’ way and parents continue in their traditional way. Both the generations lead life according to their wish. Youths wants to grab the whole world in their fists, while their matured elders call it foolishness to run after a mirage. The two are at logger-heads always.

Parents complain that children are growing more and more intolerant; they do not behave properly with them. On the other hand, youth complains that their parents try to force their traditional decisions on them.  ‘Holding a good number of degrees is not the criteria of a successful person’, as the youth puts it. They prefer technical and practical knowledge to bookish theories.

Stereotyped careers like medicine, engineering, lectureship are being shunned by the youth. Setting in new trends, they are opting for creative, innovative and more professional types of jobs that are not only lucrative, but also glamorous in their own way.

Management, advertising, media, fashion-designing, etc. are some of the new vistas opening up in the new era.

Independence is something that the teens today yearn for. They want to be independent, earn money to support their parents and of course, to fulfill their own small and big desires.

Hiding petty matters has become a routine for the youth and they do not feel guilty about it at all. They say that they are not humbugs, as their little lies do not affect their parents’ reputation in any way. In case of girls, the problem is a little more complicated. 

Most parents are of the view that daughters should not be given higher education, as it may prove hazardous in finding a suitable match later. Although, some parents allow their daughters to go in for medical science, engineering, fashion-designing, computing, etc. they do not agree to off-beat jobs, which according to them are under the dominance of their sons only.

What a pity! Even though parents are aware of the fact that girls have shown their prowess in practically every field possible in this world.

Whether daughters or sons, both have some problem or the other with their parents. And all this because of the wide generation gap. Only a few children are lucky enough to be understood fully by their parents.

It is to wonder, why this generation-gap has emerged even in this present century, when both the generations are in a way quite intellectual and educated?

Real World in the Virtual World

Finding a location in a city was never easy as it is today. Without stopping at a paan shop or a kiosk on a high way, you can reach your destination. You have to access an Internet-enabled laptop or smart phone. Hundreds of applications in the virtual world can show you the routes to your destination.

 You can see city maps, road routes, mountain ranges, oceans, rivers, etc. Google Earth is one of the most famous websites. Many versions of this application are available such as desktop, mobile and online versions. Many applications of this kind facilitate 3D images too.

Suppose you are looking for an ATM in a particular area, say Rasulgarh. You can access websites such as mapmyindia.com and click on ‘Places’ tab. Type ATM into the dialogue box on the left and write the name of the area (Rasulgarh) in the box on the right. Press Enter. The result will provide you with a list of ATMs in Rasulgarh area. Similarly you can find restaurants, petrol pumps, temples, spas, etc. The website also provide GPS (Global Positioning System) devices for locating places and getting directions. Such applications can be used on smart phones or GPS devices. 

Apart from this, there are a few website where you can type in the names of your destination and starting point and the site will show you the shortest route. It will also provide you bus and train details available for the trip. Routeguru.com is a website that provides you detailed information such as landmarks along the route and bus and train details to reach that particular place.

 An autowala cannot cheat you because the website will tell you the approximate fare. The website was started in 2008 by an IIT Mumbai graduate Avinash Agarwal and a few others. At present, the site is down for technical reasons. The service was available only in Delhi and the NCR.

A similar website mapmyquest.com provides live traffic images and is updated every five minutes. It will tell you if any route is blocked or some construction work is going there. The websites picks up images from cameras installed at roadsides. Some features of the site are accessible only in developed countries like the USA and in Europe.

 It provides route details for your trip. Other website you can visit to get information on directions, maps and routes and other geographical information are Ask City, Google Map and Microsoft Live Search. Besides these sites, there are many applications available on the Internet that allow you to upload the map of a particular area on your site or blog.  

Teenage

1. Teenage is the time when you are not so big ‘n’ not so small.

2. You neither walk properly nor do you crawl.

3.  You think of your words and regrets ‘n’ often forget how to respect.

4.  Your ego and pride is on its height ‘n’ you always want to wear jeans fit and tight.

5.You wear clothes hottest in fashion but unknowingly forget about granny’s passion.

6. You begin to think about the rising competition ‘n’ that enables you to take the right decision.

7. You devote more time to friends and parties ‘n’ something to forget like mom’s chapattis.

8. You crave to eat all junk food ‘n’ forget about the fresh fruits.

9.  Freaking out is the best pastime ‘n’ always miss the clock by nine.

10. Gals don’t want to wear sarees of silk ‘n’ always hate the hot white milk.

11.You know how to cook but forget the salt, teenage is the time …. not your crawl.

12.Your stage is like a main crossing ‘n’ never choose a path totally reversing.

13.Take the help of your elders as you are the one to be their new shoulders. 

The medium is the message

The growing use of digital media has changed the way we get news. Technology has not only made travelling of words, pictures and videos faster but also has provided us with multiple sources to get our daily dose of news. We read newspapers and magazines, listen to radio, see TV bulletins, access news websites and get information as updates or through social readers on social networking websites. Technology is making information available everywhere with ease. Information is just a tap way. You tap your smart home and it comes flowing.

Marshal McLuhan said: “The medium is the message.” He said that a "message" is "the change of scale or pace or pattern" that a new invention or innovation "introduces into human affairs." McLuhan was a Canadian media analyst. He predicted the invention of New Media in the 50’s, thirty years before Internet took a shape.

Fifty years ago, no one had thought of getting news when travelling in bus or train or sending information anywhere in the world from a remotest part of the country. It is possible now. We live in a ‘Global Village’ as referred by McLuhan and are always connected to the outside world.

On the 100^th birth anniversary of McLuhan, his theories which were rebuffed by media critics those days seem relevant today. Technology has bridged gaps between the informed and the ill-informed. I remember a real story in which children and youngsters of a village in Rajasthan got frightened when they saw rains for the first time. They were ill-informed about this phenomenon of nature. They had no exposure to the TV and newspapers. This incident draws a stark picture of the days when there were people who were unaware of certain things which we find obvious today.

The scenario has changed and people have access to information from multiple sources. News dissemination has become easier and quicker than the earlier times. We receive news at lightning speed. Even a secret mission of US Navy Seals was known to the world a few minutes after they stormed into a house in Abottabad to kill the deadliest terrorist Osama Bin Laden. A minutes after their raid a man in the neighbourhood update minute-by-minute update on the micro-blogging site Twitter.

The Internet hasn't become just another medium for news consumption; it is changing how people interact with news. We have seen people sharing news which interest them with others on social networking sites. Such updates on popular sites have brought revolution such as the Arab Spring. Everything has its flip side. Sometimes technology is used with bad intentions too. London riots are one of the few examples where the rioters used Blackberry Messenger (BBM) service for rioting. Anti-social elements use it to spread hatred and hoaxes while academicians use to share their knowledge with their students and colleagues.   

So, the medium has given its message but it is up to people how they interpret the message or it will be right to say how do they handle the New Media? 

When addressed as a deer

An animal, around which most of the sequence of events in the Ramayana had developed. The hunting of which is banned, but is still hunted. The food of tigers, lions and other wild animals. One of the only animals easily seen in the sanctuaries.

If you address someone as a ‘deer’ it means the following:

Father:  Protective. The man of the house. Proud of his achievements and boasts about them in the drawing room.

Mother: Obeys all instructions given by dad. A perfect housewife. Affectionate, docile, does not engage in gossip. Wants peace everywhere. Elegant in whichever way she dresses. Cooks delicious food.

Teacher: Adorable, beautiful eyes, affectionate, quiet and easygoing. Rarely gives homework and takes test .Listens to students.

Student: Work always complete, teachers’ pet, makes all the charts, arranges the flowers on the table, dependable. Does the teacher’s totaling. You exploit him/her. Ready to take up challenges and enjoys when the teacher is away.

Boss: Ready to attack you for jobs not done. Intelligent and a good task master.

Employee: Prompt worker. Cannot be trusted as s/he is always on the look to take your post.  Can take up challenging work.

Spouse/Partner:  Pervert, only physical involvement and no emotional bond.

Friend:  Looks submissive but is dominating. You keep protecting him thinking him to be meek.

Yourself: Tiresome. Do not use any products tested on animals. Believes you are the only good soul in this nasty world.

What’s Jazz?

Jazz music was born out of conflicts of Soul music with European music.  It traces its origin to the African-Americans, who worked in plantations owned by the whites. It has evolved over the years.  The genre involves long instrumental performances with rhythmic vocals.

Jazz, after the abolition of slavery in America is said to have originated from New Orleans. It was performed mostly in cheap bars and clubs. From being a ‘low class’ entertainment to one of the most sophisticated forms of music today, the journey of Jazz has been full of twists and turns.

The musical instruments used in most jazz performances are the saxophone, piano, drums, double bass, trumpet, clarinet and trombone.

Some renowned jazz artists are Louis Armstrong, Thelonius Monk, Art Tatum, John Coltrane, Benny Goodman and others. Some singers are accomplished musicians as well. Louis Armstrong, a singer was also a trumpet maestro and is credited with popularising solo performances.

Want a washboard stomach?

A washboard or a flat stomach is what we all crave for. Even the naturally slim ones usually complain of a distended abdomen after a meal. If this persists then you need to consult a doctor, but usually the cause lies in our faulty diet.

YS brings to you tips on how to have that envious flat stomach.

 1.Cut on salt

Our body do not need as much salt as we take. Extra salt increases the amount of  sodium in the body fluids which lead to water retention in the stomach. As a result, cells pump up with water causing the stomach to feel ‘tight’. Different spices can be used to season your food. Avoid French fries and take-away meals as they have that extra pinch of salt. Eat potassium rich-foods which help in reducing water retention.

2.Drink  water like a fish

People often do not drink much water thinking it leads to distended belly. Increased water intake, on the contrary, help dilute sodium in the body and flushes it out. It also helps in proper functioning of the kidneys. Practise caution with diet drinks, they can never substitute water.

3.Munch

Try to savour each and every bite. Eating rapidly not only leads to indigestion but also traps air in the gut. This can lead to a bleated stomach. Sit down and chew slowly even if you are in a hurry. Avoid chewing gum and smoking as excess air is swallowed this way. 

4.Exercise helps

Vigorous as well as moderate exercise nudges bowel content which thereby helps in reducing water retention. Try to keep the abdominal wall in shape as this will minimise swelling. Regular exercises such as walking, jogging, cycling will help you stay fit.

5.Fibre for you

Highly soluble fibre from fruits – apples, pears, dates helps in offsetting water retention. But beans and pulses are to be avoided as they are broken down in the body and produce gas. A remedy for this is soaking pulses; this drains out some of the gas they contain.

6.Healthy Intestines

Poor lifestyle, over use of antibiotics and stress can upset the balance between the good vs. bad bacteria in the gut. This in turn leads to excessive gas formation. The ‘good’ bacteria pushes out the ‘bad’ bacteria. To produce more good bacteria eat yoghurt.

Love is in the air

The season of love has arrived. As Valentine’s Day approaches, several love songs would be downloaded from the net. Some people will buy music CDs and some will download them to their i-pods, laptops and others.

The theme of love has been explored by almost all genres of music. There are several English and Hindi singers who have captured the hearts of lovers or those who are romantic by nature. Remember ‘Careless Whisper’, the song by British pop singer, George Michael. The use of the saxophone in the song gave it a distinct romantic feel. It was liked by youngsters throughout the world. They connected to the voice and the passion of the singer. 

Similarly, the song, ‘Baby, I love you to want me’ by Lobo became a huge hit. In India, the song was used in the commercial of Tata Indica. It was liked by youngsters, several of whom desperately searched for the singer and downloaded or bought the record. The song ‘Everything I Do’ by Bryan Adams remains one of the best English love songs of all time. Several other singers like Celine Dion, Natalie Imbruglia, Sir Elton John and others are known for their love songs.

On occasions like Valentine’s Day, youngsters mostly listen to new Hindi songs. However, there are some who love old songs and are still open to contemporary ones.  From ‘Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas’ from the film Blackmail to ‘Khuda Jaane’ from the film Bachna Ae Haseeno, love has dominated the theme of Hindi film songs. One of the best love songs ever is ‘Pehla Nasha’ from the film Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander sung passionately by Udit Narayan and Sadhna Sargam. This song is still liked by youngsters who fall in love for the first time. 

One of the biggest Hindi musical hits of all time, Aashiqui, is an evergreen collection which is still listened to by youngsters. Who can forget songs like ‘Saanson Ki Zaroorat Hai Jaise’, ‘Dheere Dheere Se’ and others? Remember ‘Jab Hum Jawan Honge’ from the film Betaab. It was a love story with Sunny Deol as the lead actor. Recently, the song ‘Hosanna’ from the film, Ek Deewana Tha’ is topping the charts. A.R. Rahman has done it again. It is surely going to be one of the most listened to or downloaded songs this Valentine’s Day.

Love is tender and conveys a thousand odd feelings. From falling in love to betrayal to re-unification, music remains the best form of expressing it. 

Express your love, but is it that simple?

No. It’s not. The three-word expression I Love You is perhaps the most difficult one to express. People may be headstrong but go weak at the knees when it comes to proposing to someone special. For one and all, the expression of love requires perfect timing, ideal setting and right approach.

Valentine’s Day is considered an important day in the lives of people in love. They may or may not be in a relationship but the day holds significance in their lives. People in relationships want to make it large by planning an outing with their partners or by giving special gifts. Others want to make it memorable by expressing their love to someone special. You need not break a bank to make Valentine’s Day special for someone. It just requires a decent attitude and a right approach.

Many of us fall in love with a friend or a colleague or someone in our neighbourhood or someone we see at a bus stop or in a market. And sometimes it is difficult to break the ice with a person we know than with strangers for several odd reasons. Here are a few tips on how to begin a conversation with someone special.

The most important factor to start an interaction is the consent of the other person. You should not make him/her uncomfortable. And the level of comfort varies from person to person; some will not like you interacting with them in public places like college canteens, libraries or at bus stops. You should consider other factors too like wheter the person is alone and you are in a group or you are meeting in a deserted area at night.

If any of these factors apply, be aware that the other person may feel a little unsafe or unsure of your approach. If you are not sure about their comfort in the interaction do ask them, “is it ok if I talk to you.” Make it clear that you mean no harm and leave them alone if they do not wish to talk.

Treat the person with respect. One should not become over-friendly in the first meeting. He or she should avoid commenting right away on their looks and attire. One should refrain from using endearing terms. A hello and a smile will rarely offend anyone and can open up the door for further conversation.

Getting rejected is surely not your desire. But you should not curse, insult or hurt a person who turns you down. Often people do not want to meet or even talk to someone in public places. There could be many reasons. They may be preoccupied or may be in a hurry. They may be already in a relationship. They may not be interested in any kind of relationship before getting into marriage.

If the person talks comfortably, you should not become overfriendly. You should behave decently and give enough time for the relationship to grow. Rome was not built in a day. Everything takes its own time. If you know the person for quite some time you can propose to him/her in right setting but the rules mentioned above still apply.

Expressing your feelings over phone or online is a safer option rather than saying those three words personally. But this is an impersonal approach and shows lack of confidence in yourself and lack of seriousness in your proposal. It is the worst thing to convey your expression through someone in his/her group or in your circle of friends because many a time your ‘someone special’ may not want to share his or her relationship with anyone else except you. 

Handwritten love letters a lifetime gift.

Handwritten letters are the preferred choice to express emotions. Letters can be preserved for ever and there is nothing like reliving those memories when you go back and read them. Love letters which are written on paper have a greater impact than any other medium, be it SMSes or e-mails. Cellphones have revolutionised the way we communicate with each other but it misses the emotional element in SMSes and e-mails.

 A title is being published by the British Library; ‘2000 Years of Romance’– the first-ever anthology to reproduce original love letters in the writers' own handwriting. The letters featured are drawn from the Library's unique and vast collections of iconic individuals like Henry VIII, Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde from 168 BC to the 20th century.

 Verbal messages can be forgotten, but written words are for ever and an inevitable part of a relationship. Moreover, they are an incomparable way of expressing love. Letters also seem more genuine than any other form of communication. An example  is a letter written by Charlotte Brontë to Professor Constantin Héger in November 1844 . She was infatuated with her Belgian professor and wrote letters to him. Despite the fact that Professor Héger tore up three of them and threw four away, those four have survived. Thanks to his wife, we are able to read them today.

A handwritten love letter is a keepsake for the heart, a treat for the senses. A small handwritten note near the pillow, on the kitchen shelf, in the purse and even the occasional scent of perfume or cologne can accompany sweet words from a loved one.

Parents are for all seasons

Have you somewhere in the process of growing up; mistakenly come to believe that parents are not for all seasons? Or, that they are only meant to pay your bills. That life is all turmoil and turbulence, is best be kept away from them? That the secrets are best shared with friends and not parents?

Hey, take a break! You have got it all wrong. Have you ever thought that once the cookie begins to crumble, no one chips in. If you are caught on the other side of the law or have flunked, then the best way is to let your parents know about it. Remember, there can be no substitute for experience and the bonding that comes from the ‘flesh of my flesh’ feeling. Parents then are the people who will stand by you when the going gets tough.

 A YS guide to list of matters not to be kept hidden from your parents.

Exam Failure

The earlier you realize the fact that you are the one accountable for your action, the better it is. Inform your  parents in case you are in a soup. If you have flunked, they ought to know. The ugly cat is best let out at the earliest. The beans sooner or later spill out so why not let them have a first person account? Not just because they finance your education but also because they are most concerned.

Thing they will find out

There are things that have a tendency to surface, no matter how hard you suppress them. So before anyone else informs  your parents, you do the talking.

Law entangle

 If you are neck-deep into a problem with police— the only people who will come to your rescue are your parents. Some things are too serious to be tried and handled by you alone.

Choosing a Vocation

When it comes to choosing a career or taking up a course, let your parents know. ‘Pa and Ma’ will not only guide you well but may also have some pearls of wisdom that, whether you like it or not, only comes with age and experience. They could well be instrumental in your goal achievement. Areas of disagreement can always be ironed out. You certainly do not lose  to hear them out.

 Friends

One must always tell parents about the kind of people you interact with.

Ask your friends to visit your home and meet your parents. This greater degree of interaction will bring about more happiness in your relationships.

Dressing style

You step out of your home in a long skirt with a jacket worn on top.

As soon as the next turn comes— off goes the jacket and the long skirt … Now, you are your cool self in a stringy deep-necked top with a pair of denim shorts! All set to entice the world! Hey! What if somebody spots you? What if you do not get a chance to change before getting back home? It is better to tell them about it. Let them know, you do not want to feel alienated in the pack. You might be able to convince them about your dress code.

Weakness

You feel awkward interacting with other gender, or you get jitters while on stage or you think that being gullible and innocent acts against you. In all such situations, talk to your parents. They will help you turn those acidic lemons to sweet lemonade. The added advantage is that you would feel much more close to them.

Teenage is the time for personality development and carefree hours. Go only that far from where you will be able to come back at your will.

Someone had once said “God could not be everywhere so he gave us parents” — obviously the person knew what s/he was talking about.