Youth Are Awesome, commonly referred to as YAA, is a blog written by youth for youth.
YAA provides the youth of Calgary a place to amplify their voices and perspectives on what is happening around them.
Youth Are Awesome is a program of Youth Central.
Any views or opinions expressed on this blog belong solely to the author and do not represent those of people or organizations that the blog may be associated with, unless explicitly stated. All content is for informational purposes only.
Without anything to wash our hands with properly, hand sanitizer became the new soap and water.
Access to taps, showers and even flushing toilets is something that we often take for granted. In our world, there are over 780 million people that do not have access to clean water, never mind water that comes out of a faucet and can be used for whatever you want. This past weekend, in the wake of a leaky water main outside of a neighbour’s yard, my family got a glimpse into what it would be like to live without instant access to clean running water.
On Friday night the city turned off our water in order to repair a leak that had sprung in one of the valves near one of our neighbour’s houses. As a result, my family and several others along our street were given a 15-minute warning; fill up everything you can with water, because you might not have any for up to three days. As soon as the news spread to myself and my parents, we filled the bathtub, several buckets, coolers, bottles and canteens full of water, to supply ourselves with enough water to last for the weekend. As promised, within half an hour, our water supply was shut off. Some of our habits would have to change, at least temporarily.
Coolers, jugs and bottles became our primary source of water.
We learned to live with very little water; from having to heat water over the stove to wash up with, to pouring small buckets of water into the toilet to flush it, our way of life was greatly changed for that short period of time. We wasted much less water and were able to appreciate having water at our fingertips even more. Although I was able to (sort of) step into the shoes of some of the millions of people without access to running water and began to understand the struggles that people in developing countries face every day, I was really glad to be able to take a real shower by the end of the weekend.
Without a flushing toilet, we had to dump pails of water from the bathtub into the toilet to force a manual flush.
Keeping this in mind, I challenge you to try to give up something that you may take for granted every day. Start small, for example not using the dishwasher or the microwave, giving up your phone (to a reasonable extent; if you absolutely need to text or call someone, you can), or taking the bus instead of driving. Although you would still be living with luxuries that many people only dream of, you can learn to better appreciate the little things in life that just make it easier, better connected and generally more enjoyable.
I recently found this great series on YouTube called NPR Tiny Desk Concerts. These concerts are basically 5-15 minute acoustic sessions done by up and coming artists and bands in a little corner of the NPR’s office building. I find these videos different and more entertaining than any other music sessions because all of the performances seem really intimate, since there are only around 150 people in the audience, and I love their selection of bands. They bring in pop favorites, indie bands, singer songwriters and even world music stars to play one or two of their songs.
Here are some of my favorite NPR Tiny Desk Concerts
St. Paul and the Broken Bones
Maybe I am a bit biased when it comes to jazz music but this set was amazing. The lead singer, Paul Janeway’s voice was soulful, powerful and incredibly charming. The whole band had a very strong presence, but their performance still felt intimate and very real.
Keaton Henson
This performance was not my first time hearing Keaton’s music. Being a long time fan, I was so happy to find a live performance of his and he felt very at ease. This singer songwriter suffers from social anxiety and depression, so I was shocked to see him so open to converse an share his feelings. Although his music is fairly simple, and he isn’t the best singer, his presence is so full of emotions, good and bad, and his lyrics are compelling. This was by far one of my favorite performances I have watched.
Jake Bugg
Although his stage presence isn’t great, Jake Bugg’s unique voice and catchy folk tunes that go back to the roots like Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan make up for it. For only being 19 years old, this kid is incredibly talented and has a big career ahead of him. I only knew a few of his songs before watching his Tiny Desk Concert but by the end, I had downloaded both of his albums and I encourage you to do the same.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Macklemore is not my favorite artist, and rap is definitely not my preferred genre; this performance was still great. His energy was great throughout the whole performance and he is very powerful when he needs to be conveying a serious message. You can feel his passion in his dancing, the way he carries himself and interacts with the audience.
Do you stick with the goals that you set for yourself?
New Years is fast approaching and that means it’s time to reflect on the past and set new goals for the coming year. With this in mind, I’ve been thinking about the importance of being committed. It’s easier said than done, but I believe commitment is an essential skill to learn early on as it’ll help you to overcome the many obstacles that will come your way later on.
Why do people lose motivation?
From my experience, people lose motivation because we’ve grown accustomed to instant gratification – we want to feel good right now, not in a few days. Setting a long-term goal means that it may be a long time before you can actually taste the fruits of your labor. We often start off strong, but that fiery passion slowly dies out as we realize that not each is going to be sunshine and rainbows. It’s when we have those days when we want to quit that commitment really comes into play.
Here’s a story:
I picked up my flute for the first time in Grade 7. I didn’t come from a family of musicians, so needless to say, I was really bad in the beginning. I don’t know how my parents managed to stay sane after hearing the shrill shriek of a flute day after day. I’m grateful they did though, because this journey has taught me the importance of discipline.
I remember feeling frustrated because I couldn’t seem to play any notes. I would blow with all my might, spit flying everywhere, and no sound would come out. It was only after my music teacher explained that I need more focused air, not more air, that I was able to play my first notes. When that happened, something clicked inside me – I can actually do this, I realized. Although I didn’t practice everyday, I began to notice my progress. As I progressed, I fell in love with music more and more.
However, this would soon come to a screeching halt. Deciding that it would be a good idea, I entered the Talent Competition at my Chinese school. During performance day, my nerves got the better of me and I ended up fumbling through the piece. Wrong notes, too fast, shaky hands; all these problems started to pile on top of each other one by one. After I finished, I could barely hear the scattered applause because all I could think about was how embarrassed I felt.
It took a long time before I could look back and assess the situation calmly. It became clear to me that if I gave up now, I would have wasted all the hard work I had already invested. The only way to improve was to keep getting up after each fall. I’ve come far from where I started, but by no means am I done my journey. There’s always room for improvement. I’ve realized that the more you invest, the more you gain. Don’t quit just because of one bad day, because it’ll be worth it in the end.
Just today, I had to do a solo performance for the teacher as our final assignment this semester. My selected piece, Serenade by Roman Hoffstetter, is oddly appropriate now that I look back on it. ‘Serenade’ originating from the Italian word sereno, meaning serene or calm, perfectly encapsulated my mood. Though I still had a few jitters, all my anxiety disappeared as I got into the music and could just enjoy myself. It was a stark difference when compared to my embarrassing mishap years ago and it’s a testament to the importance of staying committed.
How is commitment relevant in your life?
The lessons that I’ve learned are not just applicable to music, but to all aspects of life. Professionally, employers will often look for people who have been committed to long-term projects rather than one-time events here and there. It demonstrates to them that you are reliable and able to persevere through thick and thin.
In personal life, being committed is key to maintaining strong relationships. If after one fight with your friend, you never talk again, then that’s not commitment. Similarly, you should be there to celebrate your friends’ achievements, and not disappear when the going gets tough. That’s the promise that you have to fulfill once you say: “I’m there for you whenever you need it”.
Life is full of commitment. Sometimes there’ll be sweat and tears, but that’s a fact of life. You won’t have everything handed to you on a silver platter, you have to work for it. Even if you take a small step each day in some direction, you’re going somewhere. It all starts with commitment though. Not just telling yourself you want to reach this goal, but actually following through on it to get there.
Do you stick with the goals that you set for yourself?
Maybe, maybe not. What I know for sure is that it’s never too late to start.
‘Tis the season for some great wintery holiday quotes, so without further ado, here are some of the best I have found after tirelessly searching around the net. Enjoy and get into the Christmas spirit! 🙂
How can I not include this? 🙂 From my all time favourite Christmas movie, Elf, I hope you’ll be belting out Christmas carols soon.
“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
Victor Hugo
This holiday season, keep in your thoughts those who are less fortunate, and give back to them.
“Holidays are about experiences and people, and turning into what you feel like doing at that moment. Enjoy not having to look at a watch.”
Evelyn Glennie
“Christmas and the holidays are the season of giving. It is a time when people are more open and kind hearted.”
The colder months are a time when avid coffee drinkers rejoice, but it is also a time for us tea lovers to celebrate. If you are like me, the thought of a warm mug of fruity, herbal or milk tea makes you melt. Although one can drink tea at any time in the year, the best time to indulge is when the temperatures are low. Drinking tea gives you a warm feeling in your chest and toasty hands. Those, such as I, who love tea to no bounds can be classified as “teaholics”. Yes, this is a real thing (on the Internet), but don’t worry, you don’t need to find a cure for your addiction. It is perfectly acceptable, and you have a loving community to back you up. Today, I present to you a list of ways to tell if you are a teaholic, too.
1. The only way that you get your daily recommended serving of water is by drinking copious amounts of tea.
Last week, I made a post collection of my favorite sweaters for girls. But sweaters are in no way restricted only to girls. A sweater with a good cut and a nice fit looks great on any guy. In my opinion, sweaters on males should fit body shape casually – not too tight and not too loose. Worn properly, it can make a clean and fashionable outfit, to make a put-together impression. Here are some of my favorite sweaters for the male population:
V-neck Sweaters from [http://images.shopmadeinchina.com/9ABAACE1CDF4E37EE040007F01006991/241/7654241/VANCL-V-Neck-Premium-Wool-Sweater-Navy-Blue-SKU_7654241.bak.jpg]from [https://s7.jcrew.com/is/image/jcrew/49923_GR8280_m?$pdp_enlarge$]
Cable-knit Cardigans from [http://content.artofmanliness.com/uploads//2010/09/Cable-knit-cartigan.jpg]from [http://cdnd.lystit.com/photos/2013/11/28/denim-supply-ralph-lauren-natural-shawl-collar-cable-knit-cardigan-product-1-15417986-414223734_large_flex.jpeg]
Pullovers from [http://5xr0qow57ecula29.zippykid.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/J.-Press-for-Urban-Outfitters-Shaggy-Dog-Sweater-1.jpg]from [http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/2017198414_1/2014-new-men-clothing-Vintage-fashion-slim-fit-round-neck-pullover-man-casual-sweater-Cardigans.jpg]
Turtleneck Sweaters from [http://mistercrew.com/files/2009/10/jcrew_turtleneck_sweater.jpg]from [http://cdn.is.bluefly.com/mgen/Bluefly/eqzoom85.ms?img=328531201.pct&outputx=583&outputy=700&level=1&ver=9]
In the wake of the siege taken at a Sydney café, it is clear that Australia will not succumb to intolerance. The #illridewithyou social media campaign corroborates the unity that Australia wants to portray, as a country embracing its diverse collective and solidarity for its residing Muslims. The hashtag arose to affirm the position of civilians to dissuade intolerance and establish their embrace of the Islamic population in their country, further proving that the actions of one or a few individuals should not be used to identify a certain race or group.
The same variety of support was showcased closer to home, in the aftermath of the events on Parliament Hill. A YouTuber by the name of Omar Albach, created a video of a social experiment. It entailed a person, disguised in customary Muslim clothing, waiting to ride the bus. Another actor portrayed the antagonist with an intolerant mindset. The video presented multiple stander-by’s defending the Muslim man. Check out the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9rFprD_Qf4
Whether you are directly or indirectly affected, we can all sense the connection. Others, such as a Calgarian student, stated, “I am very proud to be an Australian because this event has portrayed how united and multicultural the society is.” People are still encouraged to share support through the use of social media.#Illridewithyou has gone viral, trending internationally on Twitter. These are the actions of the citizens. As terror propagates throughout our present and future, it becomes more apparent through our support that we all stand together, as citizens beyond our own borders; we are the citizens of the world.
With only 2 weeks left until Christmas, I’d thought I’d share this fun twist on your favorite Christmas carols by my favorite YouTuber, Paint. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!
Recently, I have become addicted to the social media site known as Pinterest. For those of you who don’t know what Pinterest is, it’s basically a hybrid between Tumblr and Twitter. Based on what you like, the website will generate posts which appear on your dashboard. You are also able to follow other users’ boards to see what they pin. If you are interested in the post, you have the option to “pin” it as if you were pinning it to an old-fashioned corkboard. (That is how the name of the website came to be.) Currently, I have 10 boards which I split my pins into. Admittedly, some of these boards are a more “girly” but what did you expect from me (knowing the nature of most of my posts)? It has become my mission to attempt to post on a weekly basis, highlighting my favorite pins of the week. Let’s get started!
This post features some of the Disney gals with the respective century the story and the fashion were modelled after. Many people have certain criticisms regarding Disney movies, but one should first consider the time period these movies were set in.
As cheesy as the old saying goes, we really are what we eat. If you aren’t putting the proper nutrients in your body, it will reflect both internally and externally. The secret to clear skin is not in harsh chemicals or strange remedies, it simply lies in eating the right foods. (And eating is something I’m sure we’re all very good at.)
This pin suggests using this design idea in a nursery but I definitely want this in my room. It is the closest I will get to actually sleeping under the stars.
Now, I stated the importance of healthy eating above, but I also understand that eating healthy is not always easy. This recipe is super easy and delicious, not to mention rich with anti-oxidants. You now have no excuse for not trying it out.
I don’t know about you, but I get very lazy when it comes to my hair in the wintertime. But I also get bored with wearing my hair the exact same way every day. This hairstyle is quick and only requires some hair ties and bobby pins, but it gives the appearance that you put a lot of effort into your hair. (Bonus: It looks good with straight, curly, and wavy hair of all lengths!)
Though you may find some idiots on the internet, once in a while you run into an everyday comical genius. I love it when a good prank is executed, especially an unintentional one.
The winter season is filled with holiday cheer, but for some it can be a depressing time. This is a quote that anyone who lives in a cold region can relate to. To me, the quote means that even when you reach a time when your life seems to be coming to a lull and your dreams are all fading away, it is only in this time of struggle that you can truly find your inner warrior.
This little guy is called a quokka, and he currently holds the title for being the happiest animal on the planet. Considering that he smiles even in his sleep, I will not dispute this claim.
The nail design shown above is actually what I currently have on my own nails, and you will not regret it if you decide to paint your nails the same way. Though, I warn you, I have actually mistaken my nails for candy canes and attempted to eat them on multiple occasions.
Hopefully you were able to find something in this post that made you laugh, inspired you, or just wasted a good few minutes of your time!
FTC: This is not a sponsored post, and all opinions are completely genuine. ♥
Voila, I present to you: the Persian Empire, and Greek city-states.
Those marble busts of philosophers and mathematicians that you’ve seen in the museums, and 300 (the movie) are probably what come to mind right now. But, first things first, 300 is a restricted movie, so make sure you get parental permission to watch it. And well, those statued men were just a little bit important.
This time period, from 600 BCE to 600 CE was a time of empire building. Smaller states or kingdoms focused on conquering neighbouring places in an effort to expand. This period of expansion would continue until either:
The empire was defeated by a stronger one,
or, Internal conflicts like a civil war, over-centralization of government, or failure of economy weakened the empire, ultimately bringing about the end of the empire.
Persia
Empire (550 – 333 BCE)
Originating in modern Iran, the Persian Empire was a vast territory. What allowed this to work was the installment of the satraps (governor of a province). The central administration allowed the satrap to rule relatively autonomously. The position of satrap was hereditary, so the families of these satraps lived in the provinces. There, they learnt the local ways, and connected to the local elite. The Persian rule was based on ideal for willing cooperation. Additionally, the Persian official religion was Zoroastrianism, which was based on a struggle between good and evil, a concept that influences many more religions to come.
Bulliet, Richard W., Pamela K. Crossley, Daniel R. Headrick, Steven W. Hirsch, Lyman L. Johnson, and David Northrup. “Greece and Iran, 1000 – 30 B.C.E.” The Earth and Its Peoples: A Global History. 5th ed. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011. 116-47. Print.
Greece
City-states
Each Greek city-state was a Polis. A Polis had an urban center, and rural territory (the equivalent of Medieval Europe’s hinterland). Within each city-state, democracy was installed, but the power was still held by the oligarchy (small, powerful elite). In Athens, only the free Athenian men of direct Athenian ancestry were allowed to participate in democracy. This gave only the 10 – 15% of the population the right to engage in politics. There was an exception to this; the Spartans had a system of equality based on military. (Yes, the Spartans were just as militarily engaged and tough people as they are represented in 300). Also, Athens was at point ruled by a tyrant who tried to imperialize Greece.
Bulliet, Richard W., Pamela K. Crossley, Daniel R. Headrick, Steven W. Hirsch, Lyman L. Johnson, and David Northrup. “Greece and Iran, 1000 – 30 B.C.E.” The Earth and Its Peoples: A Global History. 5th ed. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011. 116-47. Print.
Macedonian Empire (338 – 323 BCE)
Alexander the Great was from Macedonia. While the Greek city-states were in a state of war against each other (the Peloponnesian War), Macedonia rose as the superpower. Alexander rose to the throne after his father, Philip II, was assassinated. Alexander conquered the entire Persian Empire, and even reached as far as Indus Valley. He used the same system as the Persians, with autonomous satraps. Alexander did not clarify who will succeed him; after his death, there was a period of chaos when powerful people struggled for powers. In the end, the empire was divided into three: Ptolemaic, Antigonid, and Seleucid kingdoms.
Bulliet, Richard W., Pamela K. Crossley, Daniel R. Headrick, Steven W. Hirsch, Lyman L. Johnson, and David Northrup. “Greece and Iran, 1000 – 30 B.C.E.” The Earth and Its Peoples: A Global History. 5th ed. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011. 116-47. Print.
Social Structure
Both civilizations were patriarchal societies, which means that men were dominant. In Persia, however, the female from the elite class were politically powerful. Marriage to these women determined a man’s power and position. In contrast, in Greece, the women were strictly confined to the homes. In fact, bisexuality was common among the Greek people. But again, Sparta was an exception. The women were respected as founders of family lineage.
The Persian hierarchy placed the warriors at the top, then priests, then peasants. In Athens, class depended on farm yield. People were divided into four classes. The top three classes were able to hold political office, while the bottom class was only allowed to attend meetings.
Conflicts
Ionian Revolt (499 – 494 BCE)
Ionia, a Greek territory, was taken over by the Persians. Ionia rebelled, against the Persians, with the help of Eretria and Athens. It took the Persians 5 years to put down the revolt. This failed revolt lead to the next war: the Persian Wars.
Persian Wars (early 5th century BCE)
The Persians Wars was a series, in fact, just two, of attacks lead by the Persians on Athens and Eretria for helping Ionia rebel. In 490, in the Battle of Marathon, 26 km from Athens, the Athenians took the victory. The hoplites (heavily armed infantrymen who fought in close formation) added to their numbers and geography was in their favor. Eretria wasn’t as fortunate, however; they were betrayed to the Persians. The survivors were sent to exile in southwest Iran.
Peloponnesian War (431 – 404 BCE)
Since Pisistratus’s tyranny, Athens was aiming to shift to imperialism. They built a strong navy that none of the other Greek states could match. They were the leader of the Delian League, an alliance consisting of many Greek allied states. (There are literally too many for me to list). Sparta and Athens had almost equal networks of alliances in Greece. Since Sparta could not win against Athens’ naval power, they allied with Persia. Ultimately, the Spartans won, and Athens was freed from tyranny.
Source:
Bulliet, Richard W., Pamela K. Crossley, Daniel R. Headrick, Steven W. Hirsch, Lyman L. Johnson, and David Northrup. “Greece and Iran, 1000 – 30 B.C.E.” The Earth and Its Peoples: A Global History. 5th ed. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011. 116-47. Print.
Winter break is less than a month away (hooray!) and now it’s time for me to find great holiday movies to watch while embracing the warmth of my bed. And let’s be honest with ourselves, Disney/Pixar movies make us all warm and fuzzy on the inside although most of us don’t want to admit it. But guess what? It’s okay because we all LOVE and maybe obsess over these jolly old movies.
Santa (me in disguise)’s Christmas Movie Rank for 2014:
1. Disney’s Frozen:
Even though most people has already seen Frozen, I feel like it is still an enjoyable movie to watch with the entire family. Compared to all the other Disney movies, Frozen established an interesting new idea and broke away from the original pattern found in most other Disney movies.
“When a princess with the power to turn things into ice curses her home in infinite winter, her sister, Anna teams up with a mountain man, his playful reindeer, and a snowman to change the weather condition.” -IMDb
Made according to the famous children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express has been a public favourite for a long time now. This classic Christmas tale possesses the power to hook one’s mind and one’s eye.
“On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that’s headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus’ home.” -IMDb
One of the oldest on my list, but one of the most loved, Home Alone is a classic holiday comedy for everyone. Personally, this is one of my favourite movies because it is hilarious how Kevin defended his home against the burglars. This is a holiday classic that will never get old!
“An 8-year-old boy who is accidentally left behind while his family flies to France for Christmas must defend his home against idiotic burglars.” -IMDb
A fun movie with a plot similar to Home Alone. This time, instead of a witty kid protecting his house, a dog is! If you loved the first Home Alone, I strongly recommend you watch this because it is guaranteed that you will love this movie.
“The Bannister family’s new addition, Zeus (voiced by Mario Lopez of TV’s SAVED BY THE BELL), the yellow Labrador, appears to be less than the dependable guard dog the family needs. However, when two burglars set out to break into the Bannister’s home while they’re away for Christmas, Zeus seizes the chance to be a hero, proving every dog – even this one – has his day.” -IMDb
5. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005 ft. Johnny Depp)
Even though this is not a typically Christmas-y movie, the snowy and frigid setting allows me to relate it to Christmas. I guess it is because to me, Christmas is filled with hope and joy, similar to this awesome movie. I chose this version over the older one because I think Freddie Highmore is pretty attractive (let’s be honest here)!
“A young boy wins a tour through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world, led by the world’s most unusual candy maker.” -IMDb
There are no real statistics to prove that at this time of the year, people are prone to be more generous. Nevertheless, the fact is that men, women and children around the globe recognize that this season is the time for giving, sharing and all things pertaining to kindness. We are challenged each year to get involved and give back to our community, by doing so we can build a stronger society and help to eliminate and raise awareness about poverty and other problems our society possesses. However, we may find ourselves timid and asking ‘why volunteer, why give back?’ when we have so many other things to do. The real question here is why not. So, I personally challenge you to get more involved in YYC this holiday season. Offer your time and energy to something that will make a difference, big or small, to end this year off on a high note. It’s the little things that go a long way.
Calgary Dream Centre, Christmas Banquet
I’ve been volunteering with Youth Central for a little over a year now and it was been a great way for me to get involved. Recently I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Calgary Dream Centre with Youth Central. The Dream Centre has been giving men the opportunity to change their lives and realize new dreams in the community and with their families, for the past 10 years. As a part of their 10 year plan to end homelessness, the Dream Centre helps hundreds of individuals each year through innovative recovery programs, wrap around services and a one of a kind housing program. About 20 of us from Youth Central helped serve dinner during their Christmas Banquet where the residents were celebrated for their accomplishments. Throughout the night, residents shared their story with us and it was moving to hear about how far support and compassion can go. The atmosphere of the event was genuine and jubilant. I would love to volunteer there again.
A couple of projects that I’ve had the chance to do these past couple weeks have been a Christmas party at the Garrison Green Senior home, Once Upon A Christmas at Heritage Park and Christmasville at C.O.P.
Another memorable experience I’ve had volunteering this season would have to be my project at the Carewest Garrison Green senior home. My day had a pretty rough start as stress from school had been building up. So as I arrived at the project I decided to make the most out of the remainder of the day and carpe diem. Our assignments were simple and straight forward so the night sailed by smoothly just until it was time for Santa to come out and wish the seniors a merry Christmas. I’m still not sure why I agreed to be Santa Claus, but it turned out to be a fun experience. The suit was surprisingly comfortable having quality insolation from the tummy cushion, and above all I tried something I’ve never done before which always make for fun memories. I must say, having hair that does not belong to you in your mouth was probably the worst part of it all.
I am Santa
Anyways, be a snow angel in your community and shovel your neighbor’s sidewalk, sign up to volunteer at different events or with Youth Central. There are so many opportunities, especially at this time of the year, to get involved with your community. Tell your friends how much you appreciate them, make positive changes in your life, make random acts of kindness, make people smile and smile yourself!! ‘Tis the season to after all.
Inspired by the blog post on Elite Daily, “27 Things Anyone Who Works In Retail Wishes You Knew,” I have decided to come up with my own list to hopefully inform all you readers and help you become a more sympathetic shopper. Although the holiday season has already started, the frenzy of last-minute Christmas shoppers only grows greater day by day. As if Black Friday wasn’t terrifying enough, the prospect of working on Boxing Day haunts my dreams. Thankfully, I have not encountered many of the terrible shoppers depicted in the Elite Daily post, but I have come across a few customers who believe that it is my job to kiss their feet and bend to their every whim. Now, I know that none of you wonderful people are overly self-entitled and pretentious, but after reading this post you may find that you are not as innocent as you think. Here are some confessions that I have about working as a retailer.
I am not Customer Service, they are in the center of the mall.
I do not know how long the mall is open every day of the week. I do not know what time Santa Claus will be in the plaza. I do not know where “Store X” is. It is not my job to know any of those things. It is my job to know the details of my own job related to my shift. You are unjustified in getting mad at me for not being able to tell you when the elves will open up the play pen (even more so when I politely direct you to Customer Service).
I don’t know why the clothes are so expensive.
Just because I happen to work for a certain company does not mean I am told every single detail of how the company operates. Sure, that plain purple shirt may be $50 and made out of polyester, but I didn’t make the price. Asking me why the garment is so expensive is not going to make it any cheaper.
I don’t know why we don’t have a certain size, color, or style of clothing.
Should you feel that the brand needs sparkly purple legwarmers in their next line, feel free to email headquarters and make that suggestion. We are not trying to ruin your life or sabotage you by not carrying sparkly purple legwarmers.
I can’t return the item that you bought four months ago.
Where I work, we have a return policy of 30 days. That’s pretty generous considering most retailers give you between 7 and 12 days. If you were not told the return policy/did not ask about it, the receipt clearly outlines the details for you. It isn’t my problem that you live in Alaska and your second cousin three times removed bought you this present a couple months ago and just delivered it to you. The system will not accept your receipt and no amount of sheer will power will change that. Also, verbally abusing the cashier will not change that either. Just try selling it on Kijiji.
Speaking of returns, major holidays are not a good time for you to do a return at all.
It is fairly obvious that the store is busy when the person at the till has not moved for over 45 minutes and the line to the register is not getting any shorter. Thus, when you have waited in line for 15 minutes and there are a good number of people still behind you, it might be a good idea to wait until it’s not Boxing Day to return your item. You’ll get more money out of it anyways.
“I’m not going to shop here” or any variant of this phrase is an empty threat. Most threats are empty.
When someone says this to me, I’m not entirely sure if they believe that they are the only person who will ever shop here or what the mentality is. But unless you were planning to spend about $300 on your purchase, it wouldn’t have made much of a difference. If I see you holding a $15 shirt in your hand and you’re complaining how we don’t have your size and then are unwilling to go to another store, it’s not our fault nor is it our company’s fault. There’s a slim-to-none chance that a threat will actually make us feel bad for you.
Chances are that if I can’t help you, there’s little my manager can do.
Though I may still be in the trainee phase to some degree, I’m not incompetent. If an item that is not marked as a sale item is not coming through as a sale item, then chances are that it’s not a sale item. The system doesn’t lie. Even if the item was placed with all the other sale items, you can’t just assume that the item is on sale without checking the price tag. My manager can’t magically wave her wand and give you a discount because you don’t know how to read or extrapolate information.
We understand that you’re in a hurry, the computer doesn’t.
If you literally have 5 minutes before you are supposed to be somewhere, maybe shopping around for the last 20 minutes wasn’t a good idea. No matter how fast our fingers are, there is no way for us to make the computer process something faster. The technology where I work is archaic and trust me, it annoys us more than it annoys you. Maybe try managing your time a little bit better when you go out shopping.
The freshly mopped/swept floor is not a good place for you to track your muddy boots through.
You saw me mop that section of the floor literally five seconds ago, and I’m also sure that you are aware of how dirty your shoes are. Making eye contact with me while I go back and mop the area you just walked through is not awkward for me but I hope that it’s embarrassing for you. It is especially frustrating when a customer only stays in that little area for a couple seconds and doesn’t even pick up an article of clothing. I wouldn’t mop if the store wasn’t busy, so maybe take a hint and notice how everyone else isn’t walking over the area of the floor which is noticeably cleaner than the other areas.
No, I will not get you a discount.
This one is mentioned in the blog post I initially linked, but I felt that I needed to stress the importance of this. If me telling you that I’m not allowed will not convince you to stop bothering me, maybe me telling you that it’s illegal and that we could both potentially get sued will. Yeah, it’s that serious.
Please note that this post is not meant to offend anyone, merely point out some of the annoying habits of human beings that we retailers have to put up with. We’re still humans, too. 🙂
If John Green’s Crash Course World History videos were not enough, here’s more for you “WHAPpers” (World History AP students).
While Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and Indus Valley may not be the places that human beings, Homo sapiens, originated, but they are where the first human civilizations rose. So, let’s start our crash course here.
Before I go on, allow me to explain what “civilization” actually refers to. Civilization refers specifically to people who live in cities. This differs from a society, in which a social hierarchy, political organization, economic system (organization of labor), development of arts and culture, and surpluses (of food, technology, etc.) must exist. Surplus is a big defining condition; surplus of food will maintain a large population, but it also encourages trade.
Geography
All four civilizations started near rivers. Water was essential to life, but a luxury as they could not store it with the technology they had at the time. Their solution was to live by the water. In China, the Huang He and the Yangzi River Valleys were home to many. In Egypt, it was the Nile River, Mesopotamia had the Euphrates and the Tigris Rivers, and Indus River Valley had… surprise! The Indus River.
Settlements and Cities
These civilizations were different from those of the past. This was the first time nomadic hunter-gatherers shifted to agriculture. Agriculture requires a lot of work, time, effort, and it was something that couldn’t be achieved through a nomadic lifestyle. Families began to settle down, and these settled families eventually came together to make cities, for various reasons:
Settlements required more organization, especially a division of labor. Guilds were founded to do different types of work. These continued to exist until the Renaissance Reformation.
Security was another reason why people chose to settle together. The shift to agriculture kindled competition between different settlements. This increased warfare. Larger settlements were better defended, and hence the reason why cities were desirable.
Rulers
Kings and emperors of these ancient civilizations legitimized their rule by associating themselves with their god or gods. In China, the emperor was thought to have the “Mandate of Heaven,” and in Egypt the people believed that the pharaoh was one of their gods in human form.
Religion
Three of these civilizations, with the exception of China, had polytheistic religions. The Egyptian gods and goddesses is not something unknown to many; Rick Riordan’s The Kane Chronicles is a best seller after all. The Chinese civilization technically never had a religion in which the followers believed in a god or gods, but it had certain belief systems like Daoism.
Mesopotamia (3750 – 333 BCE) Overview
Sumerians – possibly the first civilization, S Mesopotamia
Uruk – first Sumerian city
Babylon – political shift from Uruk to Babylon
Land – nearby rivers (frequent torrents), open plains and marsh, surrounded by hills and desert
People – nomads from Arabia, Amorites from deserts, Kassites from mountains
Pharaoh – god-like; his word is the law, justice, and truth
Land – rich delta region (N), long narrow green land (S), surrounded by sea, desert
Agriculture – Nile’s predictable flooding provide fertile land
Bulliet, Richard W., Pamela K. Crossley, Daniel R. Headrick, Steven W. Hirsch, Lyman L. Johnson, and David Northrup. “New Civilizations in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, 2200 – 250 B.C.E.” The Earth and Its Peoples: A Global History. 5th ed. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011. 52-79. Print.
Indus River Valley (2500 – 1900 BCE) Overview
Harappa – first excavated city
Trade relations – with Arabian Gulf, Mesopotamia, Iran, Central Asia
The Yellow Emperor – last of the Three Sovereigns, first of the Five Sage Emperors
Xia Dynasty (2205 – 1766 BCE) – existence yet to be proven
Shang Dynasty (1600 – 1050 BCE) – had slavery, ritual human sacrifices
Zhou Dynasty (1050 – 256 BCE) – divided into two periods (Western, Eastern)
Qin State (221 – 207 BCE) – dominated northern China
Bulliet, Richard W., Pamela K. Crossley, Daniel R. Headrick, Steven W. Hirsch, Lyman L. Johnson, and David Northrup. “New Civilizations in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, 2200 – 250 B.C.E.” The Earth and Its Peoples: A Global History. 5th ed. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011. 52-79. Print.
Source:
Bulliet, Richard W., Pamela K. Crossley, Daniel R. Headrick, Steven W. Hirsch, Lyman L. Johnson, and David Northrup. “New Civilizations in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, 2200 – 250 B.C.E.” The Earth and Its Peoples: A Global History. 5th ed. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011. 52-79. Print.
Through many trials and errors, I’ve been able to compile a recipe that produces an excellent Brownie-in-a-Cup. This is a simple recipe that only takes around five minutes to make. It’s perfect by itself or with a topping of your choice, like whipped cream or ice cream!
Ingredients
2 Tbs melted butter
2 Tbs milk
1/4 Tsp vanilla extract
Dash of salt
Pinch of cinnamon
4 Tbs of white sugar
4 Tbs of all purpose white flour
2 Tbs of cocoa powder (unsweetened)
Steps
1. In a coffee mug mix the milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk well.
2. Pour in the cocoa powder. Whisk. Pour in the sugar. Whisk. Pour in the flour. Add the cinnamon. Whisk until there are no large lumps left.
3. Mix in the melted butter.
4. Place in microwave from 60-80 sec. Make sure not to overcook.
