| How to Make Friends in a Small Town Posted: 27 Aug 2021 01:00 AM PDT Getting to know new people in a small town can be really exciting. Small towns offer a community-oriented feel, with neighbors and residents usually knowing each other pretty well. This is an awesome perk of small-town life, and it's a great opportunity to join an already tight-knit community. If you're wondering how to put yourself out there and befriend people, there's a whole host of things you can do. [Edit]Introduce yourself to your neighbors. - Befriending your neighbors is a great place to start. So much of friendship has to do with proximity, as well as seeing someone regularly. Next time you see your neighbor in their front yard, wave, say hi, and introduce yourself.[1]
- If you just moved to the neighborhood, say something like, "Hi, I don't think we've met. My name is..." Follow that by telling them that you're new to the area.
- As you get to know them, consider asking them over for dinner or beverages.
[Edit]Join a group or club. - This helps you get to know people with similar interests as you. Try to make the step more cohesive. If you like reading, join a book club. If you enjoy sports, join a local softball or baseball team. If you're a dancer, see if there are any group dance classes offered in your town.[2]
- Check if your small town has a community center. This is a good spot to find out about local clubs or teams.
- Meet new people while also doing some good for your town. See if any local organizations need some help. Check out the local offerings, like festivals, events, and organizations, and offer to volunteer your time. Once you're there, introduce yourself to the other volunteers.[3]
- Volunteering is also a good way to meet people with similar values as you. If you value giving back to your community and doing the right thing, others who are volunteering most likely will, too.
[Edit]Attend local events. - You'll meet lots of new people at local festivities and events. State fairs, parades, and seasonal festivals can be great environments to meet new people. Join in on the activities each offer, introduce yourself to town residents, and ask questions about the local celebrations. People will happily welcome you to participate![4]
- Check local newspaper listings for events to attend. Even Facebook and apps like NextDoor can help you find out what's going on in your neighborhood.
[Edit]Walk your dog around town. - A puppy is a great conversation starter. If you've got a dog, take them out for a walk through your neighborhood. People will most likely stop to say hello to you and your dog, and that gives you a chance to introduce yourself and make conversation.[5]
- Take your dog to a local dog park if your town has one. Introduce yourself to other dog owners so that you (and your puppy) can make friends.
[Edit]Go to a sports game in your town. - Cheering on a local team helps you feel like a community member. If it's football season, check out if there's a high school football game coming up in your town. Bring some snacks and a jacket and see if there's a group you can sit by on the bleachers. Join in on their conversation by remarking about a particular play or asking them about the teams.[6]
- You can also try local basketball or baseball games. If you're not a sports fan, attend a musical or play at the local high school or community theater.
[Edit]Join a gym. - Get fit and make friends while you do it. To really up your chances of making friends at the gym, check out what classes are being offered and join one. Introduce yourself to your classmates and as you start to hit it off with them, ask them to get coffee or lunch after class one day.[7]
- You can even ask if one of your new friends wants to be your gym buddy. You can work out at the same time each week, motivate each other to reach your goals, and chat while you exercise.[8]
[Edit]Strike up conversations whenever you can. - Take opportunities to make friends everywhere you can find them. Talk to people in line at the grocery store. Make conversation with people when you're dropping off a package at the post office. You never know, these brief conversations can lead to lasting friendships. Even if they don't, they're good practice for being social and putting yourself out there (important skills for making friends).[9]
- Use a simple but effective conversation starter like, "What a beautiful day!"
- You can also compliment the person. Try something like, "I love that jacket you're wearing."
- After the potential new friend responds, try introducing yourself with a simple, "I don't know if we've met yet, my name is..."[10]
[Edit]Avoid town gossip. - Sometimes gossip can be popular in small-town communities. Though it may not be a problem in your small town, be extra cautious not to participate if it is. When people start talking about someone else in a derogatory way (or even just saying something you know they wouldn't say to their face), gently change the subject. If that doesn't work, politely excuse yourself from the conversation. You don't want to make friendships based on putting people down.
- Change the subject gracefully by pointing out something else going on in the room. Say something like, "Oh wow, I don't mean to interrupt you, but I've never noticed that painting before!"[11]
- Gossiping can really hurt other people, and if it gets back to the wrong person, you could end up losing some potential friends.
[Edit]Be patient with yourself. - Meeting new people and building strong friendships takes time. Try not to get discouraged! If you find yourself struggling to make friends, remind yourself of all of your positive qualities. Maybe you're an excellent chef who loves cooking for your friends, or perhaps you are always there to support people in need. Know that these qualities make you a great friend, and the right people will take notice.[12]
- Even if you've been rejected by a potential friend in the past, dust yourself off and keep trying. You will meet great friends. It just might take some time.[13]
[Edit]References |
| How to Clean a Fridge Water Dispenser Posted: 26 Aug 2021 05:00 PM PDT If you enjoy fresh, cold water dispensed straight from your fridge, you probably don't think much about where it's coming from. However, the dispenser itself has the potential to get dirty, building up an abundance of yeast, mold, and bacteria over time. Fortunately, there's a super easy way to clean out the dispenser itself and the tray underneath it. Keep reading to learn how you can give your fridge a deep clean using products you probably already have on-hand. - Mix together water and dish soap in a glass. Pour about 2 drops of a grease-fighting dish soap into a bowl or a glass, then mix it with a splash of water. It might not seem like a lot, but your water dispenser is tiny, so you don't need a ton of soap.[1]
- If you don't want to use dish soap, you can also mix equal parts warm water and white vinegar for a natural cleaner.
- Dip a straw brush into the mixture. Straw brushes are small, metal brushes with a brush on the very end. Grab one of these and splash it into your water and soap mixture to really suds it up.[2]
- You can find straw brushes at most home goods stores.
- If you don't have a straw brush, use a clean pipe cleaner instead.
- Push the brush into the dispenser. Bring the straw brush over to your water dispenser and aim it at the dispensing hole. Gently push it into the dispenser, then work it up and down for about 10 to 15 seconds.[3]
- You might see some grime on the straw brush, which is a good sign! If you take your straw brush out and it's dirty, rinse it off and then use your soap mixture to give it a good scrubbing.
- Let the water run until it turns clear. Turn your water dispenser on and let the soap run out into a glass. Keep running it for about 1 minute, or until the water turns clear, to flush out all the soap.[4]
- If the outside of your water dispenser is dirty, wipe it down with a soapy paper towel.
- Clean your dispenser once a month. A monthly cleaning keeps your dispenser in tip top shape, and it stops grimy buildup before it happens. Try to get on a schedule to clean your dispenser every 30 days or so.[5]
- Mix together equal parts of water and white vinegar. White vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that's tough on germs. In a small bowl, mix together a 1:1 ratio of warm water and white vinegar.[6]
- For example, if you use of water, add of white vinegar.
- Wipe down the tray with a paper towel. Dip the paper towel in your water-vinegar mixture until it's damp. Use the mixture to wipe down the tray and the sides of your water dispenser to remove mineral buildup and residue.[7]
- Vinegar has a strong smell, but it will disappear as it dries.
- Soak the tray in water and vinegar if you need to. If wiping it down isn't quite cutting it, remove the tray and fill up a large bowl with equal parts water and white vinegar. Let the tray soak for about 15 to 30 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water. Dry the tray with a towel before putting it back into the dispenser to reduce the chance of mold or mildew.[8]
- If there's any stuck-on grime that really won't come off your tray, use a new toothbrush to scrub any hard-to-reach areas.[9]
[Edit]Water Line - Turn off your fridge and shut off the water supply. Unplug your fridge to turn off the power. Pull the fridge away from the wall and find the valve on the bottom of the fridge that controls the water supply. Turn the valve clockwise to shut off the water so it doesn't leak out as you clean.[10]
- The valve is usually near the bottom of the fridge on the right hand side.
- Pour a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water down the water line. Pop the back of the fridge off to expose the wiring inside. Disconnect the water line, or the white tube, from the valve, but leave it connected to the water dispenser. Carefully pour a 1:1 mixture of water and white vinegar down the water line.[11]
- Wait for 10 minutes, then pour clean water into the water lines. The vinegar needs time to break down the lime deposits in the water line. After about 10 minutes, flush the system with a few cups of clean water.[12]
- Vinegar also helps break down mold and mildew without using harsh chemicals.
- Reconnect the water line and turn the fridge on. Screw the water line back onto the main valve to reconnect it to water. Plug your fridge back in and push it back into place before moving on.[13]
- If you need to replace the filter in your water dispenser, now's the time!
- Run the water dispenser for about 5 minutes. There might still be a little bit of vinegar left in the water line. Keep running the water dispenser until the water runs clear or you no longer smell any vinegar.[14]
- If you have an ice maker too, let the ice maker fill up with new ice, then discard that batch since it might be tainted with vinegar. After that, your ice should be clean and ready to use.
- Always consult your owner's manual before cleaning your water dispenser.[15]
[Edit]References |
| How to Be Safe on a Blind Date Posted: 26 Aug 2021 09:00 AM PDT Getting set up on a blind date is pretty exciting, and your potential new romance might leave you feeling giddy and delighted. However, meeting someone new always comes with a little bit of risk, even if they're a friend of a friend. Read through these tips to learn how you can stay safe to focus on having a great time with your blind date. [Edit]Look up your date online. - Google their name just to see what pops up. Try to get their last name before you meet up with them so you can do a more in-depth search. Look for their social media pages or any news articles that you can find about them to see if they're really who they say they are.[1]
- If you find them on social media and their pictures match up, that's a good sign. If you can't find anything about them or some sketchy stuff about them pops up, that's a red flag.
[Edit]Tell a friend where you're going. - Give them the address and the timeframe that you'll be there. Keep your phone handy so you can call a friend or send a text if you need to. Ask your friend to check up on you at the end of the night to make sure you've made it home safely.[2]
- You could even tell a few people where you're going just to be safe.
[Edit]Meet in a crowded, well-lit place. - A coffee shop or a restaurant are good choices. A bar, a park, or a shopping center also work. Don't invite your date over to your home, and don't go to their home, either. The more people you're around, the better.[3]
- If you want to feel more comfortable on your date, pick a place you're familiar with. That way, if you need to leave quickly, you'll know exactly where to go.
- Meeting up in the afternoon is usually safer than meeting up in the evening time. Try to get together when it's still light out for extra safety.
[Edit]Arrange your own transportation. - Don't rely on your date to pick you up or drop you off. Either take your own car or download a ride-sharing app like Uber or Lyft on your phone. Public transportation is fine, but make sure you check the schedule before you leave—some busses and trains stop running after a certain point.[4]
- Never give your address to a blind date to come and pick you up. If they end up being not so nice, they now know where you live.
[Edit]Carry pepper spray with you just in case. - It's a good defense weapon to have on your person. Slide it into your pocket or your purse and keep it with you throughout the night. If you ever feel threatened, just showing it to a potential attacker is usually enough to get them to back off.[5]
- Always practice using your pepper spray somewhere safe before you go out on a date. Read your user manual to learn how to point, aim, and shoot your pepper spray so it hits the target.
[Edit]Go out with friends for your first date. - Suggest a group date so you feel more comfortable. If your blind date is a friend of a friend, ask your mutual acquaintance to organize a fun double date. You can all meet up at a restaurant or get coffee together so you can meet your blind date around other people.[6]
- This is also a great way to get to know someone in a more casual setting. It takes the pressure off of both of you so you can focus on having a good time.
[Edit]Keep your food and drink within eyesight. - Never leave your date alone with anything of yours. Unfortunately, there are certain drugs that people use to spike food and drinks that are virtually tasteless. Try to finish up your food and drink before you head off to the bathroom if you can.[7]
- Similarly, never take an open drink from your date unless you saw the bartender pour it.
[Edit]Go easy on alcohol. - Try not to drink so much that you get drunk. You'll want to keep your wits about you on a first date with someone new. It's fine to have a few glasses of wine to calm your nerves, but stay away from the hard stuff for now.[8]
- If your date pressures you to drink more than you want to, that's a red flag. Firmly tell them no and then leave the date ASAP.
[Edit]Don't give out your personal information. - Get to know your date, but don't divulge too much. Don't tell your date your home address or the exact place that you work until you know them a bit better. It's extremely suspicious if your date pressures you for your phone number, asks for financial assistance, or wants to know your credit card number or social security number.[9]
[Edit]Trust your gut. - If something feels weird, don't ignore it. When we get "gut feelings," it's actually our subconscious minds picking up on something we aren't aware of. If you show up to the date and you get a bad feeling, don't be afraid to make an excuse and leave.[10]
- You could have a friend call you and pretend to have an emergency, or you could simply tell your date that something urgent came up and you have to go.
- If you feel like your life is in danger, call emergency services right away.
- If you want to leave a date but you feel unsafe doing so, ask a worker nearby to help you leave out the back.
[Edit]References |
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário