Here are this week’s 5 Life Pro Tips.
01. If someone interrupts a storyteller to steal the spotlight…
Maintain eye contact with the original speaker to encourage them and discourage the interrupter. Many times a more enthusiastic or extroverted conversationalist will attempt to hijack a story to have the moment of glory, but discourage this behavior by continuing to engage the original speaker instead of turning your attention to the hijacker. It will also discourage and subtly inform the hijacker of their rudeness without calling them out in a humiliating way.
02. How to peel off those pesky stickers
Use a hair dryer to heat stickers before peeling them off and they won’t tear. Like cooking food, you don’t want to do it too fast, because you generally want the substrate warm too. If you have too much of a differentiation between the two, you might get the sticker off in one piece, but you’ll leave the adhesive behind. If you warm them both, slowly enough and if you don’t overheat, the decal will come off in one piece and bring at least ‘most’ of the glue with it. Citrus based adhesive removers are also effective. Other adhesive removers might be stronger, but the citrus is the safest for vehicles, and poses the least risk of screwing up paint or whatever other substrate.
If you need something stronger, try rubbing alcohol and be liberal with the use of paper towels. It’s the abrasiveness of the towel that helps. As soon as they get soaked, toss it for another.
03. Friend had a baby?
Buy 6-9 month clothes and skip the hats. Babies bring out the best in peoples’ gift giving habits. There are a few staple items that people tend to buy when someone has a new baby. Size newborn diapers, cute pacifiers, hats, newborn and 3 month old clothes. Be different. Buy some size 6 months or size 9 months clothes instead of size 3. Any baby born in high 7 or low 8 pounds will outgrow newborn sizes within a day or two (if they fit in them at all). Do a little math and try to buy some clothes that they’ll use in a couple months and get them in size 6 or something they’ll wear in about 6-7 months and get size 9 months.
A lot of babies don’t like their legs being cramped, and clothes that are too small will be tight on their feet. Not to mention, lots of people will be buying size 3 month clothes, some of which will end up being re-gifted. Any baby born with hair will likely not wear a hat at all aside from their initial trip home.
04. Keep baby powder in your car when you go to the beach
It makes the sand fall right off when you put some in your hand and rub it on the covered areas. Moisture is what makes sand stick to you.
05. If someone gives you a gift…
Text them when you use it. It will make them feel good. Even (especially) if it is months later. It works especially well for clothes, jewelry, or kitchen stuff.
