Flying on an airplane can be highly stressful for people of size. Navigating through the tiny aisles and finding comfort in the extra-small bathroom can be challenging. But one of the biggest problems is getting an extra seat if necessary. Every airline has its own policy, and most charge for additional seats.
To make things easier for people of size, plus-size travel influencer Jae’Lynn Chaney has petitioned the FAA to standardize fare policies for plus-sized travelers. The need for some standards across the airline industry makes sense in a country where airplane seats are getting smaller and obesity is on the rise.
The petition requests that airlines require larger passengers to be “provided with an extra free seat, or even multiple seats, to accommodate their needs and ensure their comfort and safety, as well as those around them, during the flight.”
One airline where passengers of size feel welcome is Southwest, whose policy provides free extra seats for passengers who “encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat(s).” The airline hopes that people needing extra seating will purchase an additional ticket ahead of time, which will be refunded by the airline.
Even if a passenger doesn’t purchase the extra seat ahead of time, the airline will accommodate them.
Social media is praising Southwest Airlines for its u201ccustomer of sizeu201d policy, which allows overweight passengers to request a complimentary seat and forces the flight staff to accommodate larger flyers.nn#flight #passenger
— (@)
“If you prefer not to purchase an additional seat in advance, you have the option of purchasing just one seat and then discussing your seating needs with the Customer Service Agent at the departure gate,” the airline’s policy reads. “If it’s determined that a second (or third) seat is needed, you’ll be accommodated with a complimentary additional seat.”
Kimmy Garris, a plus-size fashion and travel influencer, showed how to use the policy in a TikTok post. She approached the customer service booth and said, “Hello, I’m hoping to use your customer of size policy today.”
How to use @southwestair customer of size policy. Southwest is the only airline that allows you a second seat at no extra cost even if the flight is FULLY booked. You HAVE to use it at the departing gate when you start your journey. If you don’t use it going out you cant use it flying back. Go to the departing gate agent and kindly ask them to use the customer of size policy. I’ve done this a dozen times and never had an issue or been denied. They will print you a new ticket + a second ticket to put down on your free seat. You will also be allowed to pre board! Enter the aircraft, get your seatbelt extender, and grab your seat! I place the ticket in the seat next to me. I always take the window seat. If anyone tries to sit it in I kindly let them know I have two seats booked. To be honest I almost never get approached because no one wants to sit in the middle seat next to a fat person on a plane 🙃. I’ve heard from others sometimes southwest will just put customer of size in your account so anytime you approach the main ticket gate you’ll get both your tickets at once but this hasn’t happened to me yet. I think this has to do with how “visibly fat” you are. Public airplanes are public transportation and should be accessible and comfortable for us all. I applaud @southwestair for being the only airline with a fair and humane way of flying fat passengers with dignity. We shouldn’t have to pay for two seats. Seats should be larger for all people including tall and pregnant passengers. Since airlines got deregulated it’s been an ADA nightmare. Airlines should also allow wheelchairs in the cabin esp power wheelchairs. This is an access issue at the end of the day and discriminatory to fat and disabled customers. #southwest #southwestairlines #customerofsize #customerofsizepolicy #plussize #plussizetravel #traveltips #plussizetraveltok #traveltok
“We shouldn’t have to pay for two seats,” Garris wrote on her post. “Seats should be larger for all people including tall and pregnant passengers. Since airlines got deregulated it’s been an ADA nightmare. Airlines should also allow wheelchairs in the cabin esp power wheelchairs. This is an access issue at the end of the day and discriminatory to fat and disabled customers.”
Southwest’s policy has become popular recently on social media, but it’s been around for years. “We’ve had a long-standing policy for more than 30 years designed to meet the seating needs of customers who require more than one seat and protect the comfort and safety of everyone onboard,” the Southwest website says.
Although the policy is a big win for plus-size inclusivity, not everyone is a fan. When a flight is booked, a person of size may take the seat(s) of someone who has already paid for a ticket.
— (@)
A mother from Colorado and her two teens were on their way home from Montego Bay, Jamaica, and were kicked off their layover flight back home from Baltimore, Maryland, because a traveler of size needed extra accommodations.
“Please help me understand why do I have to spend the night without any accommodations in Baltimore because an oversized person didn’t purchase a second ticket,” the mother said in the video. But Southwest stood by its policy. “If they need an extra seat, we don’t charge for extra seats,” the manager tells the woman in her video of the incident.
Buying a car is, as we know, can be overwhelming. Especially during that inevitable moment the salesperson goes away for 15 minutes (which feels more like an hour) and comes back with, supposedly, the best deal available.
When in reality, that “best deal” includes all kinds of sneaky charges that most customers don’t know they can counter. So by the end of the draining process, they leave exhausted and paying more than they technically should.
And even those that do know dealerships aren’t upfront with their cheapest prices might not always have the confidence to negotiate for themselves. Which makes this bit of advice so helpful for car buyers everywhere.
Earlier this year, Roxy Stylez (@roxystylezz26), who claims to be a former car dealership employee, was asked by a viewer how they could “avoid” the notorious 15 minute waiting game.
Rather than trying to avoid it, Stylez suggests to “play the game right back.”
“Here’s how this is gonna play out, “ she says in a clip posted to her TikTok. “The salesman is gonna come out with the first pencil price. Never sign on this.”
Instead, this is when you should offer your first rebuttal. That’s when, most likely, according to Stylez, that the salesperson will go into the back office and “just sit there” with the manager doing nothing (other than betting on how fast they’ll get you to sign) simply to make you feel uncomfortable.
After the 15 minutes are up, the salesperson will come back with a new price saying they “went to war” and “fought really hard” for you and that they are “on your team.”
None of which is true, Stylez says. The more money he gets out of you, the more money he makes.” Plain and simple.
But if the $300 is true, that’s certainly more than what the average person makes. So in her opinion, there’s no reason to feel bad for offering them less money.
A few more strategies to, as Styles, puts it make the salesperson “squeam”:
One, call another dealership in front of them, repeat the offer given by them, and say “if you beat it I’ll come to you.” Odds are, the original salesperson isn’t going to waste the time and energy they’ve already spent on you over a “$1000 dollar difference” and will agree to a cheaper price.
Second, don’t express desperation or excitement for the car. “You don’t want to give them more leverage to be able to use against you.”
Lastly, Stylez says you shouldn’t be paying a docking fee on a car that’s already docked and wasn’t especially ordered, nor should you pay extra for any extra features like special coatings, when those can be purchased for far less at a local auto repair shop.
Around 345,000 people saw Stylez’s video. And after watching it felt a) grateful that she made things so transparent and b) frustrated that buying a car had to be this daunting.
“The dealership model needs to get scrapped,” one person wrote
Honestly this could be a job. I’d hire someone to go to dealership with me to save thousands of dollars,” added another.
Some even shared their own personal negotiation tactics.
“Once my dad picked the make and model he wanted and just cc’d every dealership in a 100 mile radius so they’d try to beat each other and not him,” commented one viewer
Another joked “have a friend call an act like another dealership.”
Of course, nowadays people might opt to avoid a dealership entirely and instead purchase completely online—either out of convenience, or to avoid the awkward mental chess games. Regardless, it’s a good reminder that when it comes to staying within your budget, you might have to stand up for yourself from time to time.
Weekend morning news anchor for Spectrum News 1 Ohio, Taylor Bruck, came out of the closet on live TV recently and the big moment happened on a whim. She was discussing Thanksgiving plans with her co-anchor, Alexa Maslowski, when she casually mentioned she was planning on visiting her “girlfriend” in Cleveland.
“I told myself, ‘Just say it,’” she said. “When I finally said it out loud, I smiled inside because it was a big moment for me.” She posted a clip of the milestone across her social media profiles, where it has been seen hundreds of thousands of times.
“A seemingly simple yet scary word… I said ‘girlfriend’ on air for the first time today, which some people may say, ‘ok, who cares?’ … but to me, it’s a step toward accepting and loving myself fully and being authentic on and off the air,” she captioned the video.
A seemingly simple yet scary word… I said “girlfriend” on air for the first time today, which some people may say “ok, who cares?” … but to me it’s a step toward accepting and loving myself fully and being authentic on and off the air. IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS 🥰🥂🥳 • • • #littlewins #newsanchor #authenticity #lgbt #taylorbrucktv #reporter #comingout #journey #diversity #ohio #news #tvnewsanchor
The moment inspired many who felt seen by Bruck’s casual revelation. “Love this. We need visibility. And it was so natural and accepting. Live your truth!” Selena Marie TV wrote. “Thank you! And proud of you! Representation matters,” Singingchica added.
For Bruck, coming out was a way to pay it forward after being inspired by other LGBTQ journalists such as Robin Roberts and Anderson Cooper.
“Messages are pouring in from all around the world, including Ghana, Germany, Australia, London, as well as many states across the U.S.,” Bruck said. “People are telling me how much this visibility means to them and that they’re so proud of me.”
Few things prompt people’s interest—and approval or disapproval—as quickly as what someone decides to name their child. It’s this weird phenomenon where the tension between traditional-but-not-too-traditional, popular-but-not-too-popular, and unique-but-not-too-unique all blend together to push the evolution of naming humans forward.
It’s always interesting to look at trends in baby names, as the question of how the ubiquitousness of Jennifer and Angela shifted to Emma and Olivia remains. It’s not like society decides as a whole that some names are out and others are in; it just seems to happen organically.
However, as BabyCenter’s annual baby names report shows, there are sometimes specific reasons certain names climb in the chart while others dip. Sometimes it’s a hit television show. Sometimes it’s a beloved celebrity or public figure. Sometimes it’s a resurgence of naming kids after grandparents or great-grandparents, bringing back names that had long fallen out of favor.
So what are the latest name trends? BabyCenter analyzed the data from over 300,000 parents who registered their baby’s names, and here the top 10 names that popped up for girls and boys in 2023:
Top 10 Girls’ Names of 2023
1. Olivia
2. Emma
3. Amelia
4. Sophia
5. Charlotte
6. Ava
7. Isabella
8. Mia
9. Luna
10. Evelyn
Top 10 Boys’ Names of 2023
1. Noah
2. Liam
3. Oliver
4. Elijah
5. Mateo
6. Lucas
7. Levi
8. Leo
9. Ezra
10. Luca
This is the first time in five years that Liam has not been in the No. 1 spot for boys, being taken over by Noah. The top 3 girls’ names are the same as they were in 2022.
Ezra and Luca are new additions to the boys’ top 10, booting Asher and James into No. 11 and No. 12. For girls, Charlotte climbed the furthest up the latter, from No. 9 to No. 5. Names starting with “M” appear to be making a move for girls as well, with names like Miley, McKinley, Mavis, and Milan all climbing the charts by three digits.
Oddly, half of the boys’ top 10 names start with the letter “L” and 9 out of 10 of the girls’ top 10 end with the letter “A.” Any explanation? Who knows.
– Names are getting shorter and sweeter as nicknames take over “proper” names: For instance, Ellie (No. 15) is more popular than Elizabeth (No. 41) and Eleanor (No. 31); Josie (No. 85) outranks Josephine (No. 146); Theo (No. 20) has bested Theodore (No. 38); and Leo (No. 8) is much preferred to Leonardo (No. 141).
– London is falling, along with other travel-inspired names: It’s been popular for some time to name kids after popular cities and states, but that trend is slowing as shown by: Cali (down 137 spots), Paris (down 136 spots), Sydney (down 116 spots), Memphis (down 78 spots), London (down 56 spots), Cairo (down 55 spots), Phoenix (down 46 spots), Aspen (down 43 spots), and Dakota (down 25 spots).
– Rihanna and Lionel climb thanks to football and soccer: Rihanna’s pregnant halftime performance at the 2023 Super Bowl appears to have inspired some parents as Rihanna has climbed the baby name chart 261 spots, to No. 1,721. And Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi’s move to Major League Soccer appears to have inspired a name shift as Lionel is up 283 spots this year to No. 456.
– Wednesday’s child is not so full of woe, apparently: The popularity of Netflix’s Wednesday series seems to have launched the name Wednesday, as it’s up 1,425 spots in the rankings, to No. 1,183.
– Barbie has also launched a few names of her own: Barbie’s full name, Barbara, is up a whopping 994 spots, to No. 1,336. Greta (as in Greta Gerwig, Barbie director) is up 313 spots, to No. 95; and Margot (as in Robbie) is up 65 spots, to No. 221.
– The rise of the Ya Ya Sisterhood: More girls are being given names that feature the sound and spelling “ya” with names like Siya, Haya, Inaya, Aadhya, and Ariyah.
– We may be approaching the end of the -en endings: Boys’ names that end in -en are on their way down, so all of those Jaydens and Kaydens you know may start seeing less of themselves in the younger set.
People tend to have fairly strong feelings about baby names, especially when they stray too far off the beaten path. But every generation sees it’s popular names rise and fall and there’s always an influx of new names that start rising in the ranks, so name your kiddo whatever you darn well please. As long as your kid’s name isn’t offensive or completely unpronounceable (looking at you, Elon), the possibilities are wide open.
The Grammys will return for their 66th annual awards show next February at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles, California. The upcoming awards boast a hefty list of nominees, with SZA taking the most with 9 nominations. And once again, with comedian and The Daily Show host Trevor Noah hosting the 2024 awards show.
Noah has hosted the show quite a few times over the past few years, and has instantly become a crowd favorite. Warming up the crowd with his witty humor and timely jokes, it’s no wonder he keeps getting asked to come back.
How many times has Trevor Noah hosted the Grammys?
Noah has previously hosted the Grammy Awards three times — the 65th awards in 2023, the 64th awards in 2022, and the 63rd awards in 2021. The 66th awards in 2024 will mark his fourth time hosting the awards.
Noah announced the news earlier this week during his Spotify exclusive podcast What Now? With Trevor Noah.
“I’m excited about that,” Noah said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
The Grammys will return for their 66th annual awards show next February at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles, California. The upcoming awards boast a hefty list of nominees, with SZA taking the most with 9 nominations. And once again, with comedian and The Daily Show host Trevor Noah hosting the 2024 awards show.
Noah has hosted the show quite a few times over the past few years, and has instantly become a crowd favorite. Warming up the crowd with his witty humor and timely jokes, it’s no wonder he keeps getting asked to come back.
How many times has Trevor Noah hosted the Grammys?
Noah has previously hosted the Grammy Awards three times — the 65th awards in 2023, the 64th awards in 2022, and the 63rd awards in 2021. The 66th awards in 2024 will mark his fourth time hosting the awards.
Noah announced the news earlier this week during his Spotify exclusive podcast What Now? With Trevor Noah.
“I’m excited about that,” Noah said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Madrid is bursting at the seams with cool places to stay. But if you’re a music lover — whether headed to the Mad Cool Festival or simply looking for a music-centric experience — it’s hard to beat Hard Rock Madrid. Located in the Atocha neighborhood, this ultra-stylish rock and roll haven offers music-centered experiences to all who cross through their front doors.
It’s hard to decide which of the following takes the prize as the hotel’s best feature — the rooftop bar overlooking Madrid? The rockstar suite with a bathtub at the foot of the bed? The thoughtful in-room experiences, including a chance to practice yoga or learn guitar?
For me, it was the chance to be immersed in a full-on music experience – both the Hard Rock’s classic Rock and Roll vibe and a more modern representation of pop and Spanish artists found throughout the property. I’m not much of a modern art lover. Put me in front of a painting and my vision goes blurry. But I love looking at objects with a story. So the cases of memorabilia all over the hotel were an especially fun touch. Bob Dylan’s scribbled lyrics for “XXX” on a sheet of paper? Beyonce’s swimsuit from a Vogue cover shoot? Prince’s sunglasses? I loved it all.
You walk out of the elevator at Hard Rock Madrid and there’s Eddie Vedder’s jacket or Lady Gaga’s thigh-high boots in a glass case. They have a Bon Jovi guitar in the lobby, outfits Elvis Presley and Madonna wore on stage, and dozens of other relics from big music moments. It’s like staying in the coolest museum on the planet. But not in a remotely boring way.
WHY IT’S AWESOME
HARD ROCK MADRID
From the moment I walked in the hotel, I was washed over with a unique and personalized music experience. My room had a curated playlist of my favorite albums when I walked in. There are QR codes on the shower door to pull up the perfect sing-your-heart-out playlist. One afternoon, I walked into my room and found a record player with a stack of vinyls waiting for me. Another day, there was a Fender guitar, just in case I wanted to take a beginner’s guitar lesson offered on the TV.
My favorite offering was the in-room yoga experience – Rock Om – a series of instructional yoga videos paired with a quality yoga mat delivered to your room. After a long day of travel or walking the city, winding down with a yoga class in the privacy of my room was maybe my favorite hotel perk.
Hard Rock Madrid’s suites offer private terraces with beautiful views of the tightly wound streets below or the hotel’s inner courtyard and swimming pool. The hotel also has a small on-site gym outfitted with Technogym equipment, in case you ate one too many croquettes the night before. The property is also pet-friendly on certain floors, so dog lovers can bring their pups along for the fun.
The hotel’s location in the heart of the city is also a huge draw for staying here. If you only have a few days to explore Madrid, finding a place to stay in the center of it all lets you maximize your time. If that’s your goal, the Atocha neighborhood is a great option. It’s close to the train station, and best of all, the hotel is a stone’s throw away from what’s known as The Golden Triangle of Art: the historic Museo Reina Sofía, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and The Prado Museum – three of the best art museums in the city, if not the world.
Speaking personally, my favorite thing to do in a new city is to simply wander the streets and from the Hard Rock Madrid, you can walk in any direction and soon find yourself lost in a maze of cobblestone streets, flea markets, and tapas bars galore. More on all this later.
IN-HOUSE FOOD + DRINK
HARD ROCK MADRID
For food and wine lovers, there’s much to enjoy about the unique American-Spanish fusion menu at the hotel’s on-site restaurant, Sessions. The dishes are electric and unique, ranging from roasted vegetables to ceviche to grilled meats and beyond. For veggie lovers like myself, I recommend the Josper baked artichokes and grilled avocado. Meat eaters can enjoy a Korean slow-cooked pork roast, burgers, an L-born sirloin, and so much more.
My favorite dish was the Krispy Sushi and sea bass Ceviche. Both presentation and flavor were spectacular (though my photo is a tad dim!).
JULIANNE PARKER
Guests can also sip on a wide variety of signature song-inspired cocktails and Spanish wines. Or you can get dinner or drinks while enjoying the stunning view of the city from the hotel’s RT60 rooftop bar. The bar serves up a variety of burgers, salads, and lots of bar snacks.
AMENITIES
HARD ROCK MADRID
The amenities vary depending on which room or suite level you choose at the Hard Rock Madrid, but here’s a start of what to expect during your stay:
On-site restaurant and cocktail bar
24-hour concierge
Pet friendly
Free WiFi
Gym
Room Service
In-room yoga services
Swimming pool
ROOM TYPES
HARD ROCK MADRID
Home to 161 rooms, The Hard Rock Madrid offers five types of classic rooms and three types of suites to choose from. Basic room types include Twin Beds, City View, and Deluxe Family Room. Suites include Silver, Gold, and Rock Star – a gorgeous one-bedroom suite with a bathtub at the foot of the bed, a kitchenette, and a dining room table.
All the suites include a private terrace, as well as a couch, sitting chairs, and small tables, as well as a mini bar, large TV, and window overlooking the streets below.
THE BEST THING TO DO WITHIN A 15-MINUTE WALK
JULIANNE PARKER
One of the best parts of staying at the Hard Rock Madrid is its proximity to so many of the best attractions the city has to offer. Walk for 15 minutes in any direction and you’ll wind up at the best museums in the city, bustling streets filled with tapas bars and eclectic shops, or quaint city parks, like El Retiro Park, which is definitely worth the visit.
I loved wandering around the Lavapiés neighborhood. You’ll quickly ditch the heavy city traffic and disappear into quiet cobblestone backstreets filled with Spaniards spilling out of the many bars, restaurants, and food markets. Check out the El Rastro flea market on Sunday, or La Tabacalera or La Casa Encendida for free exhibitions. And don’t miss Mercado San Fernando – a hectic ensemble of stands selling anything from foods from around the globe to used books to fresh produce and butchered meats.
JULIANNE PARKER
I’m a sucker for cozying up in a coffee shop with a book on a rainy day, and I found no shortage of perfect places to indulge. I especially loved Mansilla Libros y Café, Agrado Café, and El Perro De Pavlov Café. These were all found in Embajadores – a trendy neighborhood whose buildings are covered in incredible street art. It’s worth a visit just to wander around specifically in search of the best street art you can find.
It won’t be hard. There is plenty to pick from.
BEST THING TO DO/EAT/DRINK WITHIN A $20 CAB RIDE
JULIANNE PARKER
Some of the city’s best neighborhoods — including Embajadores, Lavapiés, and Atocha— are all within walking distance from the hotel. If you want to treat yourself to dinner, try La Primera. It ’s located in the Centro neighborhood right on Gran Vía Avenue – a bustling street lined with some of the most exquisite, impressive architecture in the city. I loved walking this street after dark because the buildings are lit up at night in that magical European city way you only find in the most historic, well-preserved cities in the world.
If you’re craving a very traditional Spanish meal in a beautifully tiled, quintessentially Spanish restaurant, be sure to check out Malacatin. It opened in 1895 and is one of the oldest family-run restaurants in Madrid — famous for its tapas and rich cocido stew. If you’re a bit hesitant with meat, like I am, this is not the place for you — piles of blood sausage and still-hairy pig feet might leave your head spinning. If you are a carnivore and want to visit, plan ahead — it’s a tiny restaurant and reservations often are booked out months in advance.
JULIANNE PARKER
One other traditional Spanish restaurant to check out is Casa Macareno – a very charming, colorful restaurant with a wide variety of menu options and an incredible dessert spread. If you happen to go for your birthday, be warned: they’ll get the whole dang restaurant to sing to you.
BED GAME
HARD ROCK MADRID
I’ve spent so long traveling from one rock-hard hostel bed to the next that arriving in a room with a king-size bed with soft sheets and plush pillows was a type of heaven I’m not often used to when on the road. So while I might not be the most harsh critic, the bed game was solid. Great sheets and firm pillows. Black-out curtains are always an added sleep bonus.
Rating: 9/10
SEXINESS RATING
HARD ROCK MADRID
I’m not sure I would call the Hard Rock Madrid sexy as much as I would call it cool. But the rainfall showerhead, big comfy bed, and rooftop bar certainly do dial up the sexy score.
If we were rating the cool factor here, the rating would undeniably be 10/10. But I tend to think of sexy environment vibes as dimly lit cocktail bars, dark colors, and warm textures. The hotel has a lot of cold leather, a lot of bright colors, and brighter lights — which sometimes feel more concert-vibe-like. Obviously, that makes sense for a Hard Rock property.
Rating: 8/10
VIEWS & THE PICS SPOTS
HARD ROCK MADRID
If you’re in one of the suites, the views are a 10/10 thanks to the private terraces. But for everyone else, the gorgeous city views are mostly absent. My room looked out over the inner courtyard, which is enclosed by not-so-aesthetically pleasing buildings.
The views from the rooftop bars make up for any limitations your room may have, so be sure to head up there for a drink at sunset.
Rating: 7/10
BEST SEASON TO VISIT
HARD ROCK MADRID
I love Spain year-round. Every season has something to offer. I visited the Hard Rock Madrid in November, just as the city was getting its first big rainstorm of the year, but even in a rainy Madrid, its streets are as charming as ever.
I would say September/October would probably be my favorite time in Spain and would let you enjoy the many beautiful city parks the way the Spanish do – lounging in the shade with picnics and wine.
IF I HAD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE THING
HARD ROCK MADRID
Wherever I’m staying, I want to feel warm and cozy. The hotel’s lobby and restaurant are exposed to the outside temperatures because its ceiling opens to the rooftop, which is probably lovely during warmer parts of the year. Since it was November and quite cold outside, the lobby and restaurant were often drafty. I believe they have plans to put curtains around the ceiling openings, so that should insulate things more down the road. But little touches like fluffy blankets, slippers, and bathrobes in the room would go a long way for the cozy score for the chronically cold like me!
RATES & BOOKING
You can expect to pay about $200 for a Classic Room, $550 for a Silver Suite, $675 for a Gold Suite with a terrace, and $1000 for the Rock Star Suite.
Lifestyle influencer Alexandra Lee, 29, was shocked to learn that she and her mother have opposite showering stances and it kicked off an important debate on the platform: what’s the correct way to stand in the shower?
It all started when Lee decided to renovate her bathroom and wasn’t sure where to put the bench in the shower, so she asked her mom for her advice. “When I shower, the shower head is behind me, so the water is like on my hair and down my back. Of course, I’ll turn around occasionally and move around,” Lee said in her video before noting that her mother stands in the opposite direction.
“But she showers primarily facing the shower head, so the water hits her in the face and down her body,” Lee continued. “She’s shocked that I do the opposite and I’m shocked that she does the opposite. I feel like the normal way to shower is with the shower right behind you and you’re facing that way.”
now I need to know, what is the normal way to shower?!? 🚿
now I need to know, what is the normal way to shower?!? 🚿
It may seem strange that Lee hadn’t considered that there’s more than one way to stand in the shower. However, it was a big revelation for many people because it sparked a pretty intense debate on Lee’s TikTok page and the video received over 5.8 million views.
“Is anyone else surprised by this?” Lee asked.
The comments suggest there is an equal number of nozzle-facers and nozzle face-away-ers. But the most passionate folks in the debate were those who shower with their backs to the nozzle. They can’t seem to understand why anyone would intentionally stand in front of the nozzle and have water continuously shot in their faces, especially when it feels so nice to have hot water sprayed on your back.
“Who the hell faces the water?”user2778056546386 wrote. “Facing the water is unhinged,” Not Jennifer Lawrence added. “If I face the water, I’m gonna drown,” Denise Pettersson commented. “Voluntarily getting waterboarded doesn’t sound fun at all,” Kristina Kubrick wrote.
“I face away! What the hell, people FACE THE WATER?!?” Erin Trent Hohman exclaimed.
There are also those with no preference and alternate throughout their shower session. “I rotate continuously like a kebab,” gentledreams wrote. “I constantly move around like a rotisserie chicken! Equal time on both sides,” Stormi Booke added.
It would seem that there is no wrong way to stand in the shower, but Dr. Cameron Rokshar, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, says that one way better protects your skin.
“The real scientific answer behind it has to do with moisturizing your skin,” Dr. Rokshar told Today.com, noting that facing away from the nozzle has a distinct advantage. “The more exposure you get to water, and especially hot water, the drier your skin becomes. If you face the shower and have a whole bunch of water hit your face for 10 or 15 minutes, and you get and out and do nothing about it, that has a drying effect. Water, as it evaporates, takes more water with it.”
You always stole my thunder. You gave them everything they wanted. You never said no when they asked for anything.
Tina Platamura
A second helping of dessert. Candy before dinner. A few more minutes in the bath. Money for the ice cream truck.
I struggled to show you respect and appreciation while trying to make sure you didn’t spoil my children. I thought you would turn them into “selfish brats” by giving them everything they wanted. I thought they might never learn to wait, to take turns, to share, because you granted their wishes as soon as they opened their mouths and pointed.
You held each one of my babies long after they fell asleep. Didn’t you understand that I needed them to learn to fall asleep on their own?
You ran to them as soon as they made the tiniest sound. How would they ever learn to self-soothe?
I resented you for buying the best and most expensive gifts on their birthdays and on Christmas. How could I possibly compete with you?
“I thought they might never learn to wait, to take turns, to share, because you granted their wishes as soon as they opened their mouths and pointed.”
And how they loved afternoons spent with you. You made their favorite things for dinner — three different meals for three different boys. And you always had a little surprise. A present, candy, or a special treat. I didn’t want them to associate you with gifts and sweets. I thought they should love you for you. I tried to tell you this, but you wouldn’t listen.
I spent a lot of time wondering why you did all these things and how I could get you to ease up. I know grandmothers are supposed to “spoil the kids” then send them home, but you were … ridiculous.
Until you were gone.
I had to hold my boys and tell them that their grandma died. It didn’t seem possible — you were supposed to be there for all the other special moments: proms, graduations, weddings. But they lost their grandma too soon and too suddenly. They were not ready to say goodbye.
During those years when I wished you’d stop spoiling them, I never thought about how much you loved them. So much that you showed it in every way possible. Your cooking. The gifts. The candy and sweets. Your presence. The way you could recount every detail of a special moment, whether it was a perfect catch in the outfield or a sweet and slightly off-key note sung at a school concert. Your grandmotherly love for them knew no bounds. Your heart poured love from every place possible — your kitchen, your pocketbook, your words, and your tireless arms.
It’s pointless to dwell on regrets, but I often think about how I had it all wrong. I was so wrong in how I perceived your generosity.
My kids, now in their teens, miss you dearly. And they don’t miss your gifts or your money. They miss you.
They miss running to greet you at the door and hugging you before you could step in. They miss looking up at the bleachers and seeing you, one of their biggest fans, smiling and enthralled to catch their eye. They miss talking to you and hearing your words of wisdom, encouragement and love.
If I could speak to you one more time, I would tell you that every time a precious moment steals my heart, every time I watch them arrive at a new milestone, and every time they amaze me with their perseverance, talents, or triumphs, I think of you. And I wish that they could have you back.
Come back and love them one last time, like no one else in the world but a grandmother could. Bring your sweets and surprises. Reward them with gifts for the smallest accomplishments. Painstakingly prepare their favorite meals. Take them anywhere they want to go. All and only because you love them.
Come back and see how much they’ve grown. Watch each boy becoming his own version of a young man. Be in awe with me as we admire how family, friendship, time, and love helped them grow so beautifully over the years.
The more I long for you to come back, though, the more I realize that in a way, you never left.
I understand now. I know you loved them in every way you could. I know that being their grandma gave you joy and purpose. And of course I know that you can’t come back, but I do know that your love for them will always remain. Your love built them and sheltered them in ways that cannot be described. Your love is a big part of who they are and what they will become as they grow. For this, and for every treat and gift, and every time you held them too long or consoled them too much or let them stay up too late, I will always thank you.
And I will wish a million times that you could do it all again.
This article was written by Tina Plantamura and originally appeared on 04.14.16
Practical gifts for Christmas are underrated. There, I said it.
Sure, it’s great to receive fun clothes and knickknacks and whatnot, but have you ever felt the pure bliss of unwrapping something truly useful? Something that you might have even kept hovering in the amazon cart forever, but could never find a proper excuse to pull the trigger? That’s an emotional combination of excitement, relief and yes, joy, that simply can’t be beat.
And yet, many gift givers still feel the pressure to buy super sentimental or clever—not to mention expensive—items during the holidays, even when the recipient has asked otherwise.
While the intention is surely to show their loved one how much they mean to them, proceeding to choose indulgence over senseability could be a form of disrespect, and lose sight on what the meaning behind gift giving is in the first place.
This could especially be said of parents with adult or teenage children, argues a woman named Katie (@jaii.bee).
In a video posted to her TikTok, Katie offered a “reminder” that if parents ask their teen/adult kid what they’d like for Christmas (of their birthday) and their kids suggests they help pay for a bill, offer some gas or grocery money, or replenish some facial cleanser, and they reject the request by saying “that’s not a gift,” that they’re in the wrong.
Katie then doubled down on her point by saying that if parents feel this way, they’re actually buying a gift for themselves, not their children.
“And that is not how gifts are supposed to work,” she stated.
She also stressed that it’s almost impossible to enjoy “something nice” when the basic necessities can’t be taken care of. And that honestly, no adult would ask their parents for this stuff unless they absolutely needed to. If parents are able to do both, then great. But otherwise, just get them what they asked for.
Lastly, Katie asserted that “if you give someone cash as a gift and they don’t use it in the way you want them to, that has nothing to do with you.” Once that person has the cash in hand, it’s theirs to do with as they see fit.
“Maybe it’s a little controversial,” she concluded, “but if someone is specifically asking you for something and you can get them that thing and you choose not to, you’re bad at giving gifts.”
Katie is apparently not alone in her stance. Several folks commented in support of practical gifts, including many whose favorite gifts ever received were everyday items. Others poked fun at the logic—or lack thereof—behind certain novelty gifts.
Here’s a small sampling:
“My mom bought me tires for my car and I literally sobbed. Best gift ever. Peace, safety, and a weight off my back. This is sooo true!”
“Parents be like, ‘cash isn’t a personal enough gift!’ And then get you some generic wall art.’
“My dad fills our freezer with meat every Christmas. My favorite gift.”
“I asked my 22-year-old what she wanted. She said food and cat litter and gas and shoes for work. She will get all of that for Christmas.”
“For 17 years I’ve been bought decor as gifts, not a single piece has ever been on display in my house because I don’t do decor.”
May this story serve as a gentle PSA to not succumb to the siren song of Christmas-time consumerism. Don’t buy kitschy things just to buy them, especially when something like a bill being paid for or groceries being taken care of can really, truly make someone light up for the holidays. Perhaps there is no gift more personal than exactly what a person asked for.
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