Monday, 29 June 2015

8 Steps To Throw Your Dog An Awesome Birthday Party

As told by Maymo.

Don't tell your dog you're planning anything: he'll feel sad momentarily but the happiness of the surprise will be worth it.

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Discreetly move the furniture so he's not ~too~ suspicious

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Bring a box in to the room, he will suspect it's for his birthday but he won't say anything.

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DUMP. THOSE. BALLS!!!!

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How to Be More Approachable

Easy changes in body language can make you more approachable, especially when trying to attract the attention of strangers or acquaintances. People who already know you will want to approach you for more serious conversation if you demonstrate humility, trustworthiness, and confidence. It can take effort to change your behavior this way, but the effort is well worth the deeper, more fruitful relationships.

Steps

Using Approachable Body Language

Adopt an open posture. Keep your head up and your shoulders square, not slumped forward. While sitting, lean back slightly and make yourself comfortable. This posture leaves your face confidently exposed to the world, rather than closed off and unwelcoming.
Keep your arms in a welcoming position. Place your arms at your side or on your lap. If you are holding something or making gestures, keep your hands slightly to the side or near your lower torso.^[1] Avoid unwelcoming positions, such as crossed arms or hands raised in front of your chest. Enthusiastic postures with hands raised above your head may make you harder to approach, although psychology studies are divided on this point.^[2]^[3]
Smile. Simply smiling can make you seem much more approachable and inviting. A fake or forced smile isn't nearly as effective, though.^[4] Think of a happy memory, or a funny joke, to trigger a genuine smile.
Make eye contact. People are much more likely to approach someone who is looking directly at them, than someone who turns away or avoids their gaze. Prolonged eye contact and a smile can make all the difference. If you want to try something more flirtatious, here are a couple alternatives geared towards women:
- For a bold flirt, make eye contact for a few seconds, smile slightly, then slowly turn head away to look at something else.^[5]
- To act cute and coy, briefly make eye contact with someone looking in your direction, then immediately look down or in another direction and smile.^[6]

Looking More Approachable through Other Methods

Avoid items that block your face. Sunglasses, hats, and scarves can all make your face harder to see. Even if they are not directly obscuring you, the psychological effect may make you seem more isolated and difficult to approach.^[7]
Put down distracting items. If you're checking your phone or reading a book, other people may not want to interrupt you. You could even be missing out on glances, smiles, and other cues that could otherwise lead to a conversation.
Cultivate your appearance. It may seem shallow, but people who put effort into their appearance may end up looking more inviting. Consider ironing your clothes, learn how to dress well, or even embarking on a makeover.
Pay attention to personal hygiene. Wash your body and hair regularly, brush your teeth, and keep your nails trimmed. Wear clean clothing, and remove mold from your house that may contribute to a persistent, unpleasant smell in clothing or accessories.

Approaching Others and Building Relationships

Take an interest in others. When talking to another person, ask the occasional question about his life, and try to spend more time listening than talking. If he wants to open up, he may start a more in-depth conversation, and feel thankful for your interest. Make a habit of this to earn a reputation as an empathetic, approachable person.
- If you have trouble picking up on social cues, learn how to observe people. Improve your social skills to interact with people more effectively, and practice empathizing with their concerns and perspectives.
Practice "drive-by compliments". These are pleasant, endearing surprises for other people in your life. Compliment someone's appearance, recent actions, or personality as you walk past. You can boost her mood, bolster your reputation as a pleasant person, and maybe even start a complimenting trend.
Come up with conversation topics. If you are trying to meet new people, being approachable is only half the battle. You'll have to convince them to stick around as well. Before you go to an event, come up with conversation topics to talk about. Stick with subjects you're interested in, but try to include at least one that is more "popular," such as a recent movie or piece of sports news, since you'll be more likely to meet someone who shares that interest.
- Tailor your conversations to the type of event or location you're in. If most of the crowd is made up of students, you can talk about recent news on campus or an academic topic. At concerts and many other events, you can talk about the band, person, or art you've all gathered to watch.
Prepare answers to common questions. Someone asks you, "How's it going?" You answer: "Fine." Well, that conversation didn't go anywhere. Be ready for common questions like this and tell the other person something interesting that's happened in your life.^[8] This can lead to an actual conversation, instead of awkward silence.
Know how to respond to cultural biases. Stereotypes, workplace politics, and even fashion opinions can make someone less likely to approach you. Make an effort to ask about the etiquette of a new town, workplace or other community. Many biases, such as those based on gender, age, and ethnicity, are impossible to avoid. However, recognize that many knee-jerk reactions are based on "implicit bias," meaning an unconscious and automatic response that may not reflect the other person's views.^[9] If you make the effort to start a conversation or build a friendship, you may notice a very different reaction.
Avoid rude comments and gossip. Even if said as a joke, mean comments can upset others and make you seem rude an ungenerous. Try not to get involved in gossip, either, as it can earn you a reputation for spreading secrets or working behind people's backs.
Make an effort to include people in conversations. Make room for a newcomer joining a conversation, introduce him, or ask his name. Let someone in on an inside joke if he looks confused. Don't assume that someone wants to be left alone because he doesn't join in conversations or get invited to social events, Make an effort to approach people, and you may earn more and deeper friendships.
When you learn a secret, treat it seriously. Show other people that they can trust you. If you keep your promises and avoid betraying someone's trust, even someone you actively dislike, people around you may take note of your trustworthy behavior. Even if you find out the secret secondhand, don't help spread it around.

Video

Tips

In informal situations, or with people you know well, do not be afraid to slightly touch someone on his or her shoulder or arm. This creates a warm presence and adds a deeper connection.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

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17 Reasons Your Cat Is Giving You An Attitude

TBH, you probably deserve it.

Because you bought her a shirt two sizes too small.

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Because you watched Orange Is The New Black WITHOUT them.

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22 Cats Nailing This Whole Cat Thing

It’s harder than it looks, people.

This cat who will NOT stand down from his "no socks while sleeping" policy.

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This winner:

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This cat who successfully proved his point without moving a damn paw.

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This cat who swiftly put this pup in his place.

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19 Times Ariana Grande Was Basically An Adorable Animal

Happy birthday to a purrfect pop queen!

Miley Cyrus

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7 Insane Ways Whales Are More Majestic Than You

Rolled tongues, jointed ribs, flexible penises — whales have come a long way from their land- mammal ancestors.

Their tongues fold into straws so they can nurse as babies.

Nature has given baby whales creative ways to nurse underwater. Sperm whale calves, for instance, can roll their tongues into straws, and little finger-like fringes called papillae grab onto the nipple, according to whale anatomist Joy Reidenberg. “It’s necessary because they don’t have lips and cheeks to keep the fluid contained,” she told BuzzFeed News.

That tongue sends the thick milk straight down a calf’s throat, so it doesn’t float away. Whale milk is 50% fat, with a consistency like toothpaste, which makes it clump together in the water.

Chris Bangs / ASSOCIATED PRESS / Via apimages.com

They have penises that can wriggle like worms.

When whales want to make a baby, they can’t use their hips to thrust, like most mammals do. Instead, they have long, flexible penises attached to strong muscles, so the penis can wiggle its way into the vagina from any direction.

giphy / Via giphy.com

They're also very well endowed...

A blue whale’s penis can be 10 feet long and weigh hundreds of pounds.

JasonParis / Via Flickr: jasonparis

...and they ejaculate five gallons of semen at a time.

This chart shows the testicle volume of blue whales of different lengths. The largest blue whale testicle ever found was more than 30 gallons, Trevor Branch, a blue whale researcher at the University of Washington, told BuzzFeed News. He estimates that's about 5.4 gallons of spunk every time the massive mammal got off.

Since blue whales don't settle down with one partner, all that liquid might help wash out the ejaculate of any previous paramours, increasing the chances a male will be a future father.

Mackintosh NA, Wheeler JFG (1929) Southern blue and fin whales. Discov Rep 1:257-540 / Via archive.org

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