Food Here’s how much you should be tipping at restaurants right now

You may genuinely want grandkids or think it’s innocent to ask someone why they’re a server when they hold a college degree, but there are some questions you may not even realize are rude. Think about the implications of your query before starting a potentially touchy topic of conversation.

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Everyone has their bad days, but it’s important to recognize if you’re constantly belittling others, getting angry and talking short with people. Treat others the way you want to be treated. That means you should greet others with a smile, be thankful when others help you out and have a positive attitude on life. If you need help, there are a lot of tips and tricks for being a kinder person.

Sure, you can easily text someone to let them know you’re running 20 minutes behind — but that doesn’t mean you should allow yourself the opportunity to run 20 minutes behind. If you promise to be somewhere at 1 p.m., make it your duty to be there at 1 p.m. Lateness is definitely one of the habits you should break long before you turn 40.

You may not think much of introducing someone when making small talk, but it’s an important life skill. Think about it: You’re talking to a friend. Another person walks up and you ask how they’ve been. That person says great, you say great, and then they’re on their way. The first friend just got a dose of what it feels like to be Mr. or Ms. Unimportant, so make introductions. It’s an easy way to be more polite.

So much of party planning comes down to the numbers, from table settings to catering menus to the number of chairs. To be the best-ever guest, you’ll want to give a prompt response — that means within a matter of a few days — to allow your host and their vendors as much time as possible to make arrangements.

Of all of the manners you should teach your children, reminding them (and yourself) to say “please” and “thank you” is important. Whenever you ask for a favor or whenever someone extends a small but kind gesture, throw these phrases out. People like to be appreciated, even in this tiny way.

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Gossiping about other people really says more about you than it does about them. There are plenty of good reasons why you should stop gossiping. This habit breeds negativity, can hurt others’ feelings and can even have real repercussions on you in the workplace.

Part of being a good conversationalist is knowing when to stop talking and when to listen instead. Focus on active listening, which means hearing what another person has to say without worrying about your response and listening until your conversation partner has come to a natural stopping point. This is just one of the best ways to build better relationships.

There’s an art to tipping, but a general guideline is that when you are at a sit-down restaurant, you tip your server 20% of the pre-tax check. Something that is not OK? Giving your server no tip. Whether or not you like them, tips are an important part of a server’s income. So no matter how bad the service is, you should give at least 15%. Not doing so is one of the worst things you can do at a restaurant.

These Are the 6 Best Hard Ciders of 2020

How about them apples? Hard ciders, like hard seltzers and canned cocktails, have benefitted from the craft beer boom of the early 2000s. Credit the expanded taste buds of consumers and the ingenuity of small-batch brewers. There's a veritable orchard of hard cider options out there, though some of them can taste sickly sweet. We taste-tested the latest and (sometimes) greatest hard ciders on the market and made a few important discoveries. Tip #1: Seek out freshness. Scan the label for the words “pressed from fresh apples.” Of the 20-plus hard ciders we sampled, the brands that were made from fresh apples, not concentrate, tasted the most like a fine champagne. Testers noted that the concentrate-derived kind had a cloying, headache-inducing sweetness. Tip #2: Avoid added sugars. Cider labels aren’t required by federal regulations to list nutritional info, so many don’t. But it’s not unusual for a mass-market brand to have 19 to 24 grams of sugar in 12 ounces. (That’s the amount in three plain doughnuts.) Among ciders that list ingredients, look for ones without added sugars (e.g., sucrose). Tip #3: Dodge a calorie hangover. Our analysis found that larger producers’ brews have about 200 calories per serving. “For a dry, high-alcohol cider, more calories come from alcohol than sugar,” says Gary Williamson, food scientist at University of Leeds. So sip hard cider like a good wine instead of knocking it back like a sixer of light beer. These six will get you well on your way to better-tasting cider worth savoring.

The easiest way to become a pro at small talk? Learn how to listen. Everyone likes to talk about themselves, but when you’re engaged in a pleasant conversation, don’t forget to ask your conversation partner plenty of questions and listen to their answers. You never know what you may learn about another person.

Most people are taught not to speak with one’s mouth full from a young age, and it’s something that should never be forgotten. Even if someone has asked you a question and you’re desperate to answer but you’ve got your mouth full, finish what you’re eating before you reply. Doing otherwise would make you a victim to one of the most common table etiquette mistakes.

No matter how entertaining that text or funny that tweet is, resist the urge to check your phone during a real-life conversation with someone. If you happen to be expecting an important call, let the people around you know before you start your evening and only check your cellphone when absolutely necessary. Making sure that you’re paying attention to those you are with is just one of the many phone etiquette rules you need to know.

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Here’s how to manage your migraine

More than just a headache, migraine is a neurological condition that can cause intense head pain along with a variety of other symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, numbness or tingling, difficulty speaking, temporary vision loss, and seeing shapes or flashing lights. The causes of migraine aren’t fully understood, but they may have something to do with changes in brain chemicals and the brain’s interaction with the trigeminal nerve, as well as genetics and environmental factors. If you get migraines, you should work with your doctor to develop a personalized treatment plan. In the meantime, here are some tips that can help you manage the condition and relieve your symptoms. If you get a sudden, severe headache or any new or unusual symptoms such as fever, confusion, or problems seeing or speaking, head to the emergency room right away. You may be having a stroke or another medical emergency.

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