Watching Broadway

Arrive at the venue early. You should be there about 20 to 30 minutes before the show starts. If you happen to arrive late, wait for the intermission or short break before going inside. Do not argue with ushers if you need to wait, since these personnel are only doing their job. You can view the television screen in the lobby as you wait to enter and be seated.

Turn off your watch alarm and cellular phone while waiting. If your cell phone happens to ring during the performance, do not answer the phone or excuse yourself out of the theatre. Immediately shut it off. Only check messages and missed calls during intermission. Do not talk during the performance and avoid singing or humming with the music. Do not drink or eat during the performance. Save your snacks for intermission.

Next Tips

Always keep your feet on the floor and not on the balcony or seat in front of you. If you need to unwrap medications and cough suppressants, do so during loud musical numbers, applause and laughing. There are a number of rules when applauding. You can shout Brava or Bravo to excellent performers. The conductor is also applauded when he enters at the beginning. You can applaud very well or give a standing ovation to very good performances.

When the performance ends, do not immediately aim for the exit. Wait for the actors to exit the stage entirely before leaving. Make sure you follow the minimum age limit if you intend to bring kids. Always orient your children about what to expect and teach them about proper manners and how to behave inside the theatre. Feed them and have them go to the bathroom before the start of the performance. Give them some light snacks and bring them back to the bathroom during intermission. Most theatres recommend that you do not bring children younger than 4 years old to the theatre. Never videotape the performance.

Final Guidelines

If your view is blocked by a tall person in front of you, ask the usher to find you another seat or ask for a booster cushion. Make sure you have your tickets ready when arriving at the venue. It will be very difficult to ask for an extra seat or ticket, so only bring the right number of people in accordance to the allowable tickets and seats. Feel free to mingle and converse with other attendees before you enter the theatre. You can also praise and commend actors and directors after the entire show is finished behind the stage or in their dressing room. Make sure you request this first.

Stand Up Straight

This first step to losing a belly is to stand and sit up straight. This actually has a few different effects. First of all, slouching accentuates belly fat, so simply sitting up will make you appear slimmer. Second, proper posture help improves the strength of your back, which of course makes it easier to maintain proper posture longer. Third, poor posture leads to back pain, which makes stomach exercises difficult. Having good posture will make it easier for you to work out your stomach muscles and whittle down that belly. Lastly, a nice straight posture enhances blood flow throughout the body, particularly to the legs and lower back, both of which are involved in many stomach exercises. So, if you are trying to lose a belly, the first step is to simply sit and stand up as straight as possible as often as possible. Do that, and you are already on your way!

Back Extension

For the reader familiar with the crunchless crunch, this move will seem similar but backwards. For this exercise, you will need to start by lying on your stomach with your forehead on the floor. You may use a mat or towel to cushion your pelvis and head. Position your arms by your sides, palms up. Contract your back muscles to lift your torso off the floor. Hold the contraction briefly, then release and slowly lower your torso back down to the floor. Repeat for an entire set.

The next part of this exercise begins by extended your arms out above your head (picture a superhero flying through the air). Now lift your legs off the floor simultaneously while keeping your head and arms held in place. Try to imagine your legs growing longer as you are lifting them up. Hold your legs up briefly, then slowly lower them back to the floor.

Doing these two things will help you strengthen your back and correct your posture, which are great first steps to losing an unwanted belly. You will also want to continue working on your back muscles and other core muscles, such as the transverse and rectus abdominus. Stomach exercises that work the core will help you straighten up your posture, lose belly fat, and gain muscle tone in both your back and tummy. As with any workout routine, be sure to consult a professional before beginning and always warm up properly to avoid injury.

Stepping onto a plane bound for a spot in the world where you’ve never been before means there are expectations. Your expectations of what you imagine the place to be and the reality of what you will find once you get there.

This is true, whether it’s that beach paradise you’ve long always been dreaming about since you’ve learned to imagine palm trees and mai tais, that cosmopolitan city where you imagine the air is always hot, the fruits are peddled in boats in the world-famous floating market, and the best shopping malls are blocks apart or that country where they all say the churches are old, the bull fights are wild, and having chorizo de bilbao along with your morning pancakes—or rice—and coffee is as natural as breathing.

Expectations like these are good. Imagining a place where you’ve never been before, thinking about the things you’ll do when you get there, where you’ll shop, what dish you’ll want to order first from the menu when you arrive in that strange, exciting, beautiful place—all these are good, it means you’re excited to be there. That’s the first step in having fun.

See, things could happen this way: you’re all pumped up to go. You’ve packed up a few weeks’ worth of clothes into your battered duffel bags. “You’re ready”, you tell yourself over and over like a mantra.

You’re ready to have an adventure. So, you’ve printed out the maps, color-coded the itinerary data and even brought along not just one or two but all five of the guidebooks you own.

You’re ready to go and have an adventure. You’ve set your mind on having one so that’s how it’s going to go.

But see, that’s a major roadblock. It’s a mistake to think you can ever be ready for an adventure. Color coding all the historical data and information of all the places you would like to tour when you finally get around to visiting the little chapels in Florence or graphing the direction of your trip is all well and good mental exercise but to what purpose will this serve? No amount of preparation is going to get you ready for the real thing. Itineraries are changed, schedules adjusted without warning, and nosy, irritating fellow travelers make the trip just a tiny bit unbearable, if not exactly interesting when you tell stories about it back home.

Organization is great but there’s an end to what it can offer you. There’s something to be said for flexibility, spontaneity, for lettings things happen, for going with the flow. You may not always end up where you planned to but how much it’ll affect your mood or pizzazz or mojo will be entirely up to you. You can sulk, rant, rave or punch a hole in the wall and ruin your entire travel experience. Or you could take things in stride, dismiss the irritating aspects of travel, of life, as they happen, and enjoy the good times.

It is important for someone to constantly practice their tone before making an actual phone call to ensure that they can achieve the right pitch, volume and tone of voice when speaking over the phone. This will help the listener over at the other end to interpret what is actually being said beyond the verbal cues.

When you make your phone call for business matters, always begin by identifying yourself, your position, and what company you belong to. Then, indicate the name of the specific person you wish to talk to. But take note that you have to be polite when requesting to speak to that person because you’ll never know when they might be busy attending to something equally important.

On the other hand, if you are the one answering a phone call, make sure to assume a professional but pleasant tone. As when you are the one calling, identify yourself and your business organization. This straightforward approach of phone communication is preferred in the business setting wherein almost everyone works at a rapid pace.

Answering or Responding to Phone Calls

Another important etiquette feature in a business phone system is the hold feature. This particular feature produces dual results such that it will enable you to attend to urgent cases and still be able to maintain your communication with the person on the other line. However, there is a specific way to do this right to avoid offending the other person on the phone and to avoid wasting their precious time.

If you are about to put someone on hold, make sure to ask them first if they would allow to be kept on hold for a short while. Wait for their answer before you leave and attend to an urgent task, leaving them with no idea where you just went.

If they are indefinite about being kept on hold, calmly and clearly explain to them the necessity of attending to another matter while you are talking on the phone. Make them feel that this does not render them unimportant, but that there is a sense of urgency about this other matter. If you are going to cause inconvenience to the person you are speaking to, make sure that you explain it to them fully. However, make sure to not keep them waiting beyond 30 seconds and be quick when addressing the urgent matter that you promised to respond to while you keep the other person on the line waiting.

Leaving Voice Mail or Messages

The voice mail option is available for most business phone systems, which enables one to leave a message to someone informing them of what you are up to such that you are not available to answer the call. Hence, it informs the caller instead of trying to guess why the call is not being responded by the person on the other hand. This is especially useful in a business setting wherein people you are communicating with lead a hectic schedule such that they cannot waste even a few minutes trying to connect to you via phone call.

When you leave a voice mail message though, keep it brief and straight to the point. Make sure you speak the words clearly for the person on the other line to understand the message clearly. If you have a playback feature when recording your voice mail, you can play it again to see for yourself whether it is clear enough. Any business professional will appreciate getting a return message to let them know you cannot respond within the time needed.

For as many people that want to do stomach exercises, there are just as many people, probably more, that like to watch television. This is a perfect time to do stomach exercises. During commercials, or every ten minutes if there are no commercials, try lying on the floor and doing as many stomach exercises as possible during the break. If you have not done stomach exercises in awhile, it is best to start slowly, but eventually make it a game, and try to get more repetitions in each time. By following this simple plan, it will help your body in several different ways. First of all, there is no extra scheduling involved, for most people, watching television at some point in the day is natural so no extra time is taken out of the day to do stomach exercise. The second thing this strategy helps with is that the human body should not remain motionless for more then thirty minutes anyway, by getting up and doing stomach exercises every few minutes it really boosts up the bodies metabolism.

Another good time to do stomach exercises is first thing in the morning. Try rolling out of bed, maybe literally, and lie down on the floor and do as many repetitions as possible in a set amount of time, even just five minutes. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that exercising first thing in the morning may be more beneficial to a person then trying to exercise other times of the day. While there are many reasons for this, one valid reason is that it gets the metabolism going for the day after a nights sleep. Since most people are extra concerned about the appearance of their stomach, it seems logical to start the day with a good set of stomach exercise.

Of course, for those that are able to dedicate time each day to exercising, their routine should include stomach exercises. There are some reports that say that muscles need time to rest, so only exercise a particular group of muscles every other day, while other reports say that stomach muscles are ok to exercise everyday. One way to answer the question on when to do stomach exercises, every day or every other day is first listen to your body. If the stomach muscles are sore, rest them, if not then maybe one day work on them more intensely then the next day, but try to include at least one set of stomach exercises daily.

There is good reason for wanting to develop strong stomach muscles, besides for appearance sake. This is the core of your body. If it is not strong, the rest of your body will suffer. The good news is that most stomach exercises can be done anywhere with absolutely no machines or gadgets. With a little diligence and some creativity, there are plenty of times throughout the day to sneak in stomach exercises

This list of time-tested advice on packing had been compiled and consolidated by people who know the best about travels. In fact, they are considered the most-traveled individuals in the whole world.

Packing list

First, make a packing list. This is to eliminate panic on last-minute packing. It can also serve as a guide when repacking your things after your trip. In an extreme case of your luggage getting lost, you can use for claims or additional identity papers.

When doing the list, check on the events you are going to and list down possible clothes for each occasion you intend to attend. Choose outfits that go together well based on complimentary colors. Or go back to the old reliable blacks and other dark-colored clothes.

After doing the packing list, lay out the things you intend to bring and check them again against your list. Segregate those you will bring and make sure they are all clean and ready to go.

Personal items

An all-purpose lotion is better than a different bottle each for hands, face and body. Bringing disposables (razors, toothbrush) is better than bringing the electric models.

Leave behind all those jewelry items you don’t want to lose, including those flashy ones that attract thieves.

Toiletries

Leave behind the perfume. Scented lotions are good substitutes. Bring those personal items that are available in small travel sizes. (Many airports are now restricting the amount of liquids to bring inside airplanes. Check those in your destinations.)

Bring a small first aid kit with aspirins and other emergency medicines, sunscreen, and the amazing Swiss army knife. Pack this in your checked luggage because it is banned to bring inside the plane.

The art of packing

Iron everything before folding them into the suitcase. Button all buttons and zip all zippers. T-shirts, jeans, skirts and sports coats may be rolled up and carefully stuffed inside duffel bags.

Always pack tightly. The insides of shoes are perfect for socks and underwear.

Label with your name and phone number (NOT your address) all the pieces of your luggage. If an address is required, use your office address. Remove old claims slips to avoid confused.

Travel documents and other papers

Always carry travel documents, medication, jewelry, traveler’s checks, keys and other valuables in your carry-on luggage. Items such as these should never be packed in checked luggage.

Unpack your luggage right away as soon as you arrive at your hotel. This will prevent further wrinkles.

In going home, repacking your clothes the way you packed them in ensures that you will still have the same space as before. Balled and dirty clothing cannot fit.

All in all, remember that packing is one very important aspect of travel and it pays to listen to the experiences of others.

On Greeting

Depending on which country you visit, you will have to do a variety of greetings and salutations. For example, if you are going to France, you will greet strangers with kisses on the cheek. The rest of the nation gives two kisses, while Paris offers you 4. Shaking hands can also be done. In Japan or China, you will need to bow to show respect when meeting people for the first time.

Try to learn a word or two when greeting. For example, you can say “bonjour” or “good day” to a person you meet. Also learn other translations of “please”, “thank you” and “goodbye”. You can learn more about the language by searching the internet and chatting with some of the locals. Bring a dictionary just in case.

When Getting Dressed

Always dress in a respectable manner. Try to observe how the locals dress. In America, it might be acceptable to enter the grocery store in your gym clothes. This may be considered eccentric by other nations. Plan your activities ahead so you can dress in formal attire or more comfortable clothes. When visiting religious sites, it is always advised to dress conservatively.

Acting in Public

Be careful when taking pictures, since some countries do not like some of their government buildings and national treasures to be shot at. Read the rules and guidelines properly. When visiting museums, check first if it is allowed to take photos or record videos. Follow guidelines specifically. Avoid talking in a very loud voice when in public. If you need to go to the restroom or are looking for a certain place, approach a local, smile and greet, before you ask for directions.

Avoid laughing so loud in public. Never litter and show respect to other people’s freedom, possession and conversations. Do not interrupt locals who are still talking. Listen intently and ask questions afterwards. Some nations find it rude if you refuse gifts. Some will require you to bring gifts if invited to their homes. Do not interrupt people who are praying or doing a certain ritual. Wait for them to finish before you ask questions or take photos.

Dining Rules

There are several rules that revolve around dining in a foreign place. For example, it is considered unsanitary to eat using your left hand. In China, the chef will appreciate it if you eat your noodles with as much sound as possible. Some countries do not like it when you add more seasoning to served food. You have to learn how to use other eating items like chopsticks, etc. to show respect. Learn how to eat different kinds of food in a variety of ways, depending on your location.

Pavan-Muktasan

To perform this stomach-exercising asana, first lie flat on your back. Use a yoga mat of towel to cushion the spine. Bend both knees up to your chest so that your thigh touches the stomach. Hug your knees in place and lock your fingers. Now lift your head up so your nose meets your knees. Take a deep breath and hold it for thirty seconds before releasing and slowly lowering back to start. This exercise can also be done one leg at a time.

Bhujangasan

For this stomach exercise, remain on the floor, but roll over on to your stomach. Position your hand under your shoulders. Now, using your back muscles, raise your upper torso off the ground to that your head is upright. Be careful not to push with your hands. You want the muscles in your back to be doing the work. Hold this posture for thirty seconds, then lower yourself back to start. Even though you are using your back muscles to lift your upper body, performing the asana will assist in reducing belly fat and flattening your tummy.

The Bow

This stomach exercise is pretty similar to the previous asana, but more involved. It starts from the same position lying on your stomach, but in this exercise you curl your legs upward in addition to lifting your upper torso. Bend your knees so that the soles of your feet come up toward your head. Grab your ankles and pull with your hands and push with your legs until only your stomach is on the floor. Your body should feel sort of like it is making a circle. Your knees should remain together throughout the exercise. Hold this position for thirty seconds before releasing and returning to starting position.

Paad-Pashchimottanasan

Now that you have read the name of this asana, try not to be intimidated– it is less complicated in practice than in pronunciation. It does, however, require a fair amount of flexibility, so you may want to start with something easier and build up to this one. Start by lying on your back with your legs straight and arms overhead. Your body should be straight from head to toe with all limbs extended. Point your palms up to the ceiling and put your hands together. Contract your stomach muscles to sit up, keeping your back straight and hands overhead. Bend forward and grab your toes with your hands, putting your head between your arms so it touches your knees. Hold the position for two minutes before releasing.

Cheju Island

Cheju is the biggest island in Korea and known as the place of mystery or fantasy. Everything in this resort island is sure to rekindle your love of the beach with its breathtaking waterfalls clear blue water, black sand, and other natural attractions. It is also perfect for honeymoons, watersports, and hiking.

Climate

The climate in Korea is temperate, which is divided into four distinct seasons. The most tourist-friendly seasons in the country are spring (April and May) when the cherry blossoms bloom as well as autumn (from September to November) when the skies are clear and sunny and the weather is warm. Winter months in Korea, which starts in December until February, are perfect for skiing.

Korean DMZ

A Korean tour is never complete without dropping by the Korean Demilitarized Zone, more popularly known as DMZ. It is where you can find some of the endangered creatures in Asia such as wildcats, river otter, and musk deer.

Festivals and Special Events

Korea has a rich culture and long history, and you can be a part of celebrating them by joining various religious festivals and special events such as Buddha’s birthday.

Historical and cultural tours

Foreign visitors can take a tour of the Buddhist monasteries and temples to be able to witness the Buddhist heritage in Korea.

Nature tours

Are you a nature lover? Then grab the opportunity to take a nature tour in Korea. Among the most famous itineraries are the flower villages, birdwatching, mountain trips, and cherry blossom trails in various parts of Korea.

Seoul

This Korean capital, which is essentially a lively commercial district, is the top tourist destination in the country. Among the must-visit landmarks in Seoul are the royal residences, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Pusan

For beachgoers, Pusan is nothing but a paradise. It is popular as a beach town resort, with many beautiful beaches to choose from. The Song Jung beach, for example, is a peaceful swimming spot with clear blue waters.

Watersports

If watersports is the name of your game, then you will be delighted with the numerous facilities that island and coasts in Korea offer to its millions of tourists. You have plenty of choices: paragliding, whitewater rafting, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, swimming, boating, windsurfing, and water skiing, among others.

To sum it up, Korea caters to practically every type of tourist—adventure seekers, sports buffs, arts and culture lovers, sightseers, and others. So, if you want to escape the stressful city life for a while, then one of things to consider for your much-deserved holiday vacation is, of course, a travel to Korea.

A Brief Definition

Etiquette is a set of forms and practices that are followed in a wide array of situations. Several individuals consider it as a branch of general social behavior or decorum. Every society has its own unique etiquette. Different cultures in a given society also have their own social norms and rules to follow. Some people may find it very challenging to learn etiquette if they are new to a certain place or culture.

The rules of etiquette will prevail over how people should act or behave. Greeting other people in a respectable manner is common etiquette among different cultures. The expression of respect may vary, but the idea is generally the same. In America, individuals shake hands to greet, while Asians bow as they greet. It is highly important to review or study a bit about etiquette before visiting another country to avoid trouble or embarrassing yourself.

The Lapses

Lapses in etiquette can lead to certain consequences. You may feel embarrassed or awkward after committing the lapse. The other person may also be the one embarrassed about the situation. There may also be more dire consequences to the lapses, such as losing a job or damaging friendship. In some instances, people have lost their lives or belongings because of a serious breach in etiquette. In most cases, however, lapses can still be forgiven, although more serious cases require bigger compensation.

Most of the lapses can be avoided by simply using common sense. If you truly want to be safe, you should study a number of books or search the internet to know more about possible offers that you shouldn’t refuse and other special scenarios. You can also talk to someone who lives in the country you plan to visit to give you certain tips and advice.

On Manners

Manners include several social interactions with given cultural norms. A number of individuals consider etiquette to be an uncalled restriction of freedom of personal expression. Lack of manners or failure to respond appropriately can mean disrespect for the freedom of other individuals. To enforce manners or etiquette, establishments usually put signs to inform people, such as “Take off shoes before entering”, “No smoking” and “Formal wear required”. These will help create a more relaxed atmosphere wherein people can practice their freedom to a certain extent that will seem respectful to others.

Manners are highly dependent on culture. To differentiate manners from etiquette, a good example would be that manners teach you to use a fork while dining, while etiquette teaches you which fork to use while dining.