"We need to talk"

If you’ve been in a relationship, then you likely heard the phrase “We need to talk” or “I need to figure things out”... this is a very bad sign. Usually, a “decision” has been made and that decision will be shared whether you like it or not. It’s definitely not a good moment to go through but we all have to go through those every now and then.

Things to remember:

• This is serious. Remain calm and remember that your partner likely spent a lot of time thinking through everything. This is a serious discussion. This is not the time to be a smart ass and make jokes.
• Listen attentively with a spirit of understanding. This isn’t the time to criticize, condemn or play the blame game. There’s an issue at hand and you need to know what your role was in all this.
• Be at peace with the fact that this may be the end of the relationship. Hearing this type of news is obviously going to shake you to your core (if it doesn’t then maybe that’s why it ended?). Remember that the stress generated from the news will make you act rashly. What you say, or do, in the moment may sound right but you will likely end up regretting it later.
• Ask for a timeout from the conversation. Take your things and go for a car ride, clear your head and choose your next words carefully.
• Do what it takes to make the relationship works but remember that, if it was to end, you will survive.

Now here’s the thing, I know all of the above but in the spur of the moment it rarely goes like that and there are always things that I have said that I ended up regretting. We can still try to apply these things but we shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves if we fail at them… maybe let’s pay better attention during our relationship so that we do not come to these situations?

The Truth and Nothing But

I’m all for someone telling things for how it is as long as it is the truth and nothing but. There are “journalists” out there that created a reputation of “telling it as it is” but the message they share are filled with lies and misinterpretations for the purpose of shocking the consumer rather than informing.
Some will go as far as showing pictures, or a video, as proof of what they are saying. While it’s true that a picture is worth a thousand words, we still have to remember that we can make a picture say anything we want.

What is the reason behind the person sharing the news? Does that person want to make the world a better place by exposing something that isn't right or does that person only want to create more chaos?
“Fake news” isn’t a recent problem (anyone up for a witch hunt?) and it’s not likely to go away anytime soon. Our only line of defense against it is to be informed - to take any news with a grain of salt. To not spread it as it may be all a lie.

Hurray for Bank Fees! (Said No One)

Remember the time when we were able to put money away in a saving accounts and actually make money off of the interest rates? In today's world, not only are interests rates a joke but you also have bank fees that are way higher than the interests you get from your savings.
Got 10k saved up but you made 3 transactions during the month? Well you likely made 25 cent in interest but had to pay a few bucks for those bank/transaction fees.

I once confronted my bank about this - asking them what were those fees. They said "It's to maintain the buildings, pay the employees and all sorts of things". The thing is, they are already making money from my money by lending it to other people. Why do they need to charge me, again, for the privilege of using their banks?
I also asked if I had any options, apparently, I can pay 20 some bucks a month for a subscription to the bank that would give me some free transactions. Wow - what a deal?

How much profit does a bank need to make in order for them to say "You know what? That's enough. Let's focus on making the customer happy now." Enough is enough!

Bad Publicity

Ever been on a website where an ad just started playing in the background? The ad is a video and it shifts the content you’re reading or takes over your entire view area. Aren’t those annoying?

Not all publicity is good: there is such a thing as bad publicity. If the goal of an ad is to paint a positive picture of a company then this kind of strategy is failing. The feeling I get, from those type of ads, is one of frustration. I’m asking myself “Why are you pushing this on me?” Is this the type of feeling those brands are looking for in their potential future customers?

I doubt it.

The goal of an ad is to make people happy and to associate that happiness with the brand. I shut off when ever I see these types of shady tactics being forced on me.

Is it the same for you? Do you just shut off when you see these types of ads or do you enjoy them?