Archive for June, 2009

“You Haven’t Changed a Bit!” and Other Conversations from My High School Reunion

Sunday, June 28th, 2009

Manicuring my toenails, I wondered what my Punahou School classmates were doing to get ready for our 45th reunion weekend. (45th? How could that be? I feel 36.) 

Oh, there’s a good conversation starter: What did you do to get ready for this reunion? Lose weight? Color your hair? Buy new clothes? (I never did use this ice breaker, but you can.)

I don’t color anything but my toes (a rainbow of ‘em). My hair has gone from totally unacceptable in high school, curly and unruly, to terrific. (Oops, sorry. My humility took a tea break.) And I lost 20 pounds in college. So I felt good to go. 

Good conversation at the Outrigger Canoe Club (more…)

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Hello! This Is Your Back-Up-Your-Computer Wake-Up Call

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

Imagine for a moment that your computer got stolen or crashed. Imagine that you threw out important files and didn’t know it. How miserable would you be?

 Laptop computer
 
It’s Not a Matter of IF Your Computer Crashes, But WHEN.
 
Everybody’s computer crashes eventually. Mine crashed 9 years ago, and I haven’t balanced my checkbook since. (But that’s another subject….)
 
BTW, this is not an advertisement, just a helpful poke in the ribs. I don’t make a nickel, but I hope to earn your everlasting (more…)

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A Prescription for Courtesy at the Doctor’s Office

Thursday, June 11th, 2009
Rx

My friend Christian needed transportation to the podiatrist. After wheeling her into the examining room, I sat on the corner chair. The doctor promptly entered the room. (Nice!)

He was attentive to Christian, but he never introduced himself to me. Yes, Christian could have introduced us since she knows us both. She was distracted when the doctor grabbed her foot and started talking.

Here’s my question: if you were in the doctor’s position and didn’t know the extra person, wouldn’t you say, "Hi, I’m Dr. York?"

I hope so.

On our way out of the office, the receptionist asked me if Christian had received arch supports. I felt like Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver:  "Are you talkin’ to ME?"

When did Christian become invisible? When was I elected the person in charge? Although Christian’s a senior, she’s sharp as a tack. She’s the patient, the client, the one who got the arch supports; I was merely wheeler-in-chief. 

If this conversation etiquette story applies to how you talk to customers, clients and their caregivers, I won’t preach because you’re smart and can connect your own dot dot dots….

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Conversations While Waiting in Line

Sunday, June 7th, 2009

 

Zits comic, part 1  

Jeremy’s mom gets the whole scoop just standing in the bank line, while her son knows zip about his friend Justin. It’s a gender difference. Men bond by doing stuff together, while women bond by talking.

Now you might be thinking, "My uncle Bob is a chatty guy. He would have gotten the scoop, too." Yeah, your Uncle Bob is a rare bird. Have him stuffed for the Smithsonian.

The next time you’re in a bank line, see what the guys are chatting about. If they’re chatting at all….

 

Zits comic, part 2  

 

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50 First Impressions in the 50th State

Thursday, June 4th, 2009
Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle

50 women are running for office. They all want to be your representative in the state capital. Who would you vote for? How do you decide who gets your vote?

I got a dose of 50 first impressions yesterday by volunteering at the Ready to Run training for women who are considering running for office in Hawaii. One by one they approached our check-in table. 

  • 23 were nicely dressed; 9 looked the legislator part already
  • 5 stated her name clearly without being prompted
  • 6 spelled her name without being asked
  • 11 smiled
  • 8 were enthusiastic and energetic
  • 5 seemed to "own the space"; they seemed powerful
  • 5 made excellent eye contact
  • 7 walked purposefully to our table
  • 1 asked our names
  • 1 couldn’t get elected dog catcher 

These women didn’t have to say a word. Just by showing up, they communicated a lot about themselves. Politics aside, they made an impression that got — or didn’t get — my vote on a personal level.

And then I got to thinking….Aren’t we all running for some kind of office all the time? Maybe it’s not an elected office; it could be an appointed or chosen office such as trusted advisor or cherished colleague. Maybe it’s Ms./Mr. Right or Ms./Mr. Right Now.

What kind of impression did you make today?

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