In honor of the approaching Academy Awards, below are a few examples of horrendous Oscar fashion.  The following actresses, all former winners and generally lovely looking ladies, chose to take their stylists’ advice and show up looking like—well, like they look below.  (Most of them would have been better off in jeans and a Gap T.)

1.  Gwyneth Paltrow

Shakespeare is no longer in love.  Looking more like a medieval serving wench than an Oscar-winning actress, Gwyneth Paltrow slouches down the red carpet, offering a little nip for good measure.  Maybe the tight hausfrau braid put a strain on her fashion judgment.

2.  Meryl Streep

The reigning empress of American acting, Meryl Streep can seemingly do no wrong on the silver screen.  With two Oscars, one for 1977’s “Kramer  vs. Kramer” and the other for 1982’s amazing turn in “Sophie’s Choice,” there is no doubting Streep’s acting acumen.  Unfortunately, her talents don’t seem to extend to the wardrobe.  At the very least, she could have changed out of her PJs…

3. Kate Winslet

I’m expecting her to beg for $300 to save Tara at any moment…  Kate Winslet proved an Oscar bridesmaid the year of “Titanic,” but the real tragedy was this dubious emerald ensemble.  She would go on to win an Oscar as a former Nazi prison guard in 2008’s “The Reader.”

4.  Cate Blanchett

It takes a brave woman to wear fashion’s version of the Bubonic plague.  Modeling Trekkie shoulders and a pleated paper plate, “Aviator” winner Cate Blanchett defines fashion misstep.

And Katharine Hepburn wouldn’t be caught dead in this.

5. Kim Basinger

Oh, Vicki Vale… Much like Kim Basinger’s career after “L.A. Confidential,” major sections of this dress are missing.  Half fencing jacket, half Jessica Rabbit cast-off, Kim’s not helping herself with the stringy hair and hoop skirt.  Of course, a single glove is always a winner…

6.  Cher

Yes!

7.  Geena Davis

There’s no way Louise is hanging with Thelma in this get-up.  Between the push-up corset and cockroach crushing booties, the “Accidental Tourist” Oscar-winner looks like a Can-Can girl minus the awesome dancing.

(And is it just me, or does she appear to be dragging along a pile of black laundry in the train?)

8.  Whoopi Goldberg

Pick your favorite:

No one’s gonna be making Whoopi in this outfit.

Here’s a leopard who should have changed her spots.

And we thought “Sister Act 2” was the worst it could get.

9.  Hilary Swank

Boys Don’t Cry, but I do.  After playing a boy and a boxer, Hilary Swank obviously thought she needed to boost the femininity quotient with a pink, transparent mosquito net.

10.  Angelina Jolie

In 2000, the “Girl, Interrupted” winner scored a smooch with her bro, reached for the golden idol then crawled back into her coffin before sunrise…

Katie L. Fetting is a Seattle-based writer who hopes when she’s nominated for her Oscar, a snotty writer (like her) won’t call her out for wearing skinny jeans, mildewed flip flops and a rainbow tube top.

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Price comparison website MoneySupermarket.com therefore set out on a mission to find the ten biggest distractions which are faced by motorists on a daily basis by conducting a survey encompassing over 2,000 drivers. Some of the distractions which were named might shock you…

10. Twitter

With over 175 million users world wide, it is perhaps unsurprising to find the Twitter has made it onto the top ten list. With an increasing number of motorists now owning smart phones with social networking capabilities, the number of people who are capable of interacting while on the move is growing.

It seems that not everyone has yet developed boundaries for when it is and isn’t acceptable to take advantage of these devices, with Twitter having been named as a distraction by 1% of those surveyed.

One recent high profile victim of this phenomenon was Dr Frank Ryan who died in a car accident inBeverly Hillslast summer. It is believed that he had been tweeting at the time that the crash occurred.

9. Facebook

Facebook is still the most popular social networking website around, with the company claiming that it has an unbelievable 800 million world wide users. It is therefore understandable that it managed to finish above Twitter in this list. Nevertheless, both Facebook and Twitter and likely to become far more prominent on this list in the coming years as the number of people who own smart phones that feature social networking apps increases.

However, both of these companies are likely to face competition from another social networking website in the coming years; namely Google+ which was launched earlier this year. This could well be another distraction which is named by motorists on future versions of this survey.

8. Make-up

5% of drivers who responded to the survey admitted applying cosmetic products while driving; possibly while in a rush to get to work in the mornings. However, this excuse will not wash with the authorities, with motorists convicted of this act likely to face financial penalties and have points added to their licence.

The real number of motorists guilty of this is likely to be far higher, with The Telegraph reporting that up to half a million road crashes are caused by people applying make-up in theUKalone each year.

7. Fatigue

Prepare for the most shocking statistic on this list…5% of the motorists surveyed admitted that they had at least started to fall asleep while driving on some occasions. This is a terrifying realisation, with these people not only placing themselves in danger; but also endangering the lives of others.

There really is no excuse for this anymore, with government campaigns warning of the dangers of driving while suffering from fatigue and the majority of roadside hotels willing to offer cheap rates for motorists in search of a couple of hours rest before continuing their journeys.

6. Texting

Smart phones have already helped social networks Facebook and Twitter into the top ten of driving distractions; it therefore seems logical that texting should also make it given that more phones are capable of texting than are capable of social networking.

16% of motorists admitted to texting while driving. This is despite the findings of a study conducted by Texas University which found that motorists who text while driving are 11 times more likely to miss a red light and will see their reaction times delayed by 3-4 seconds on average.

5. Becoming Detective

21% of those surveyed admitted that they regularly take their attention off the road ahead of them in order survey accidents involving other motorists. This is despite the fact that it increases the chances of the driver being involved in an accident themselves if the traffic up ahead suddenly stops.

Another unfortunate by-product of people slowing down to take a closer look at accidents is of course further congestion and a greater possibility of traffic jams.

4. Calling

So far mobile phones have been responsible for the presence of Twitter, Facebook and texting on this top ten list; it therefore makes sense that they would also be responsible for distracting due to their main purpose; with 23% of motorists admitting to having been distracted while driving by making or receiving phone calls.

This doesn’t necessarily mean the illegal usage of phones, as taking via Bluetooth kits is also included in this. A recent study byCarnegieMellonUniversityfound that any kind of phone usage will reduce a driver’s focus on the task at hand by 37%.

3. Drinking

51% of respondents claimed that they regularly drink while driving. It should be noted that this doesn’t include drinks of the alcoholic variety. Nevertheless, it still requires the driver to take one hand off the wheel and hence increases the chances of the motorist losing control of the vehicle.

2. Eating

The same number of survey respondents also admitted to eating while driving. The same kinds of risks also apply in this situation, and it is therefore recommended that drivers refrain from this action whenever possible.

However, eating and drinking while driving seems to be becoming increasingly common place in the modern day and age, with hectic lifestyles resulting in more motorists choosing to eat their breakfasts on the way to work in the mornings. Indeed, Facebook groups have been set up for people who regularly conduct this offence.

1. Music

The distraction which was named most frequently by motorists is actually music. This is nothing new, with cassette players, radios and CD players having been common place in the majority of vehicles for many years.

However, with more people now owning iPods this distraction is becoming increasingly dangerous as the devices require more of the motorists attention to operate. Music was named as a distraction by an overwhelming 61% of respondents.

This article has been written by Mark Martin. A UK based writer with a keen interest in motoring who currently works in the marketing department at MoneySupermarket.com. 

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Most A-List celebrities are movie stars and sports heroes, so it should come as no surprise that they prize (and value) their bodies considerably more than the average Joe.

Below are the most bizarre body parts insured by our favorite stars.  They include everything from derrieres to chest hair.

Breasts – Holly Madison

Ex-Girl Next Door Holly Madison insured her lady lumps for $1 million, making Dolly Parton (whose famed bosom is covered for a measly $600,000) look like a slouch.

The Butt – Jennifer Lopez

The butt that launched a thousand implants, various reports have Jennifer Lopez’s bootilicious rear insured for between $300 million and $1 billion.  But of late, J-Lo’s received some major competition for the junk-in-the-trunk crown.  Close on her heels is famed royal-in-law Pippa Middleton; Pippa’s Maid of Honor padding set off a world-wide craze and the tabloids just can’t seem to get enough of her trendy boots and skinny jeans.

Chest Hair – Tom Jones

That Tom Jones insured his chest hair for $7 million is particularly ironic considering how many people pay to have theirs removed.

Feet – Michael Flatley

Michael Flatley, of Irish dancing fame, insured his fancy feet for $39 million (apparently $38 million was too little?)  After all, he IS the Lord of the Dance.

Hands – Keith Richards

Provided the rest of him hangs together, Keith Richards’ hands will return a hefty sum of $2 million should anything happen to them.

Legs – Mariah Carey & Friends

Far and away the most popular body part to insure, celebrities seem to have a real paranoia of losing their legs.  For footballers David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, this may make some sense – but Jamie Lee Curtis?  Really?

Mariah Carey – $1 billion

Cristiano Ronaldo – $144 million

David Beckham – $70 million

Tina Turner – $3.2 million

Heidi Klum – $2.2 million

Jamie Lee Curtis – $2 million

Angie Dickinson – $1 million

Rihanna – $1 million

Betty Grable – $1 million (1940s dollars, non-inflation adjusted)

Mary Hart – $1 million

Teeth – America Ferrara

America Ferrera  – of “Ugly Betty” and “Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants” fame – had her grill insured by Aquafresh for $10 million as part of a charity campaign.

Tongue – Gene Simmons

The KISS front man values his protruding muscular hydrostat at $1 million.  Just how he would lose this tongue is a mystery…

And some other random fun facts about crazy celeb insurance:

–  David Lee Roth’s sperm insured his sperm for $1 million to cover any potential paternity suits.

–  Cricket player Merv Hughes insured his famous trademark mustache for $317,000.

–  Funny man Ben Turpin was the first celebrity to insure a body part.  He valued his comical, often crossed eyes at $25,000 in the 1910s.

Katie has a love-hate relationship with celebrity culture and the insurance industry (in that order).  She is a conspiracy theorist who believes Pippa Middleton is a fraud perpetrated by the UK’s powerful skinny jeans lobby.

What if, instead of thinking in planetary terms, we thought of our own world? Because really, what does our world consist of on a personal level? What if it all starts in our own backyards?  Our neighbors, family, friends and co-workers make up our personal world; what if we started with our own personal world and took it from there?  And, just imagine if it continued to spread around the globe–who knows the impact you could have?

1. Smile

Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to not return a smile? Or how a simple smile from a stranger can lift your spirits? While it’s very easy to walk through life with a frown on your face, it’s just as easy to greet every stranger you meet with a pleasant smile and a ‘how are you?’ Try it! Soon, you’ll find that smiling at people becomes a habit and not only will you brighten someone else’s day, you’ll put yourself in a better mood.

2. Listen

We all have problems in our lives and baggage that we carry with us on a daily basis. Have you ever wished that you had someone you could talk to? Everyone feels that way. Lending an ear to a friend in need is a great way to help someone feel better. Listening, though, is a skill that needs to be practiced. Too often we hear, but don’t listen. We’re so busy trying to think of what to say, or what advice we can give, that we hear half of what’s being said. Be an active listener when a friend has something on their mind.

3. Follow the Golden Rule

Treating others how you want to be treated may sound trite but it’s a fantastic way to live. Rather than reacting to a situation immediately, stop for a moment and consider how you would want to be treated in that same situation if roles were reversed. When you get in the habit of doing this, you’ll find that you begin to treat people in a kinder manner without having to think about it.

4. Learn Empathy

Being empathetic is not the same as being sympathetic. To have empathy for someone means that you are able to understand how it feels to be in their situation. It does not mean, however, that you’ve necessarily experienced their exact pain. It’s very easy, for instance, to empathize with someone that has lost their job, has suffered the loss of a loved one or is having a difficult time in school. People don’t want others to feel sorry for them, they simply want to know that someone understands.

5. Help for the Sake of Helping

If someone needs your help, help them for that reason and not because you expect something in return. If you see your neighbor painting the house, run over and grab a brush. If your sister is preparing a large holiday meal, go early and help set up. It’s these small acts of kindness, with no expectations, that inspire people to ‘pay it forward.’ Be the catalyst of kind to all those with whom you come into contact.

World peace is achievable, if only on a person-to-person level. Start with your own world and you may just find that the peace you spread reaches further than you thought possible—and meanwhile, you’ve made your small corner of the universe a better place!

Mary Thomas is a music teacher and loves www.christmassongs.org to remind her of all the many Christmas song lyrics, from traditional hymns and multi-cultural favorites to rap songs and carols.

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RFK as US Senator

Most people remember Robert F. Kennedy, and especially the young generation which was not around at his time, including me, as one other politician that was assassinated in the 1960s. That decade, as we read in our history books today, was certainly one of tumultuous times with wars aboard as in tensions with Cuba, Vietnam and the Communists to the social unrest with the Civil Rights Movement and Free Speech Movement.

RFK looking at something

But the question is, who was Robert F. Kennedy? Was he the presidential candidate in 1968 Election, was he the senator from New York, was he the 64^th Attorney General of the United States, and was he a great political mind from America’s First Family and political dynasty? All of the above are obviously true. But what is the legacy of Robert F. Kennedy that we should hold on to? For me, as for most historians, he was the man of peace and human rights.

RFK waits to address 14,500 students at Kansas State University on March 25, 1968

Though the Kennedy administration inherited the war plans of Vietnam from the Eisenhower administration including that of the invasion of Cuba, but the Kennedy administration is very much responsible for carrying out these establishment plans from the military and foreign policy elites. Hence, it seems controversial and almost an exaggeration to call the brother of the President a man of peace, who worked as his closest adviser during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was his right-hand man, making him the second most powerful man in America during the early years of the 1960s, but the fair assessment is of how he throughout that time advocated not to attack Cuba, simply because the United States being a superpower does not attack small and incapable nations and go into asymmetric warfare. He also was against the escalation of war in Vietnam, but President John F. Kennedy had to send the military troops under pressure from the military advisors who said that this is the right thing to do after the coup in Vietnam which was orchestrated by the CIA. Robert’s moral arguments often did not win in front of those convincing tactics of the military and national security advisors.

RFK as Attorney General after the meeting of National Security Council on Cuban Missile Crisis

Another thing that Robert F. Kennedy is cherished for is his stand for the civil rights and for the demand of equal treatment of all communities in America. He was the leader for the down-trodden and for the “forgotten America”, the parts which were left behind because of their economic conditions and their racial compositions. He ran for presidency just for this reason, to bring prosperity to these left behind areas and to end the war. He wanted to seek a positive leadership role for the United States in global politics and that very unfulfilled vision of his is the legacy he leaves behind. The world, and not just America, would have definitely been different had he achieved the Archimedean position of presidency he was looking for.

Senator RFK becoming an honorary member of Sioux Tribe

His assassination within four and half years of his brother, President Kennedy and within two months of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an end of the dream and hope for America, and his death is the day the dream and hope died for those forgotten people. The Kennedys brought charm and interest into politics from the youth of the country and when they were brutally removed from the political scene, the interest from the youth in political matters also faded away as they could not hold the same passions in the issues they wanted their leaders to take up and work on. But the sense of excitement that the Kennedys had risen in people regarding social and political issues is still out there at some level despite the waning.

Attorney General RFK during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1964 when he received 22 minutes of ovation.

Robert F. Kennedy was perhaps the best brother one could ask for as he was always behind President Kennedy protecting him the whole time. He was the best father that one could ask for as his children would let you know. Not only did he loved his own children, but he loved all children. He was also a “good and decent man” as eulogized by his youngest brother Senator Edward M. Kennedy. He was a faithful and loving husband, and to rest all those rumors, he never had an affair with any woman, and most certainly not with Marilyn Monroe and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

RFK climbing Mt. Kennedy in Canada in 1964

The Kennedys and all their personal and professional activities being the fodder for the press of the day, they were always under fire and their stories still sell well. According to President Kennedy, Bobby, as he was candidly known, was “morally incorruptible” and when Cuban Missile Crisis was resolved the President was said to have remarked “Thank God for Bobby”. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis said of Robert F. Kennedy that he was the least like his father amongst his brothers and we all know what she meant by that. Joseph P. Kennedy was the 44^th US Ambassador to the United Kingdom for almost two years under the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration and was known more for the kind of man he was with women than perhaps for his appeasement measures. Rose Kennedy said after Robert’s assassination that we shall not see the like of him again. To a large extent, in political arena, her words are prophetic.

RFK campaigning as a presidential candidate

Robert F. Kennedy always sought the attention of his father being the 7^th of 9 children, but always got the care from his mother. He was a shy and an introvert person, who was considered ruthless against organized crime and determined to serve justice and equality. He was debatably the best Attorney General in the history of the United States and would have been a great president too. He was born on November 20, 1925 and was assassinated on June 5, 1968 and died 26 hours later in Good Samaritan Hospital. To learn about who Robert F. Kennedy actually was, first of all, do not read unreliable and unauthentic books, but read these two: “Robert Kennedy and His Times” by Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. and “Robert Kennedy: His Life” by Evan Thomas.

RFK with a pencil in his mouth

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RFK in his younger days

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John D. Rockefeller

John D. Rockefeller was the founder of Standard Oil Company, which was the largest oil refiner in the world. His first job was being an assistant bookkeeper when he was sixteen years old and even at such a young age he gave 6% of his earnings to charity. By the time that he was twenty years old that number increased to 10% of his total income. John was a faithful member of his Baptist church and volunteered his time to teach Sunday school. He often credited his business success to his strong religious beliefs. He strongly believed that his money came from God and that it was his responsibility to use the resources given to him by God in a responsible way, being a good steward of all that God gave him was a lifelong mission.

S. Truett Cathy

Another famous person that has taught Sunday school is S. Truett Cathy. He is the founder of Chick-fil-A, a fast food restaurant chain. He has taught Sunday school for over 50 years at his Baptist church and has gone on record saying that his guide-book for life has been the Bible. He strongly believes that his business exists “To glorify God and being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us” and has included that quote in his official corporate purpose statement. His strong religious convictions led him to start a policy that all of his restaurants are closed on Sundays, so that his employees can spend time with their families and attend church.

Jimmy Carter

Perhaps the most famous Sunday school teacher of this era is former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. He is known as a devout Christian and has taught Sunday school since he was 18 years old. He has fought for equality all over the world and has contributed time and resources to many Christian organizations. Even when he was President of the U.S. he took time each day to pray, and openly confessed that Jesus Christ was the driving force in his life.

Stephen Colbert

Surprised? People don’t often get a glimpse of the serious side of Stephen Colbert. He grew up in the Catholic faith. When he was 11 years old, 2 of his ten siblings and his father were killed in a plane crash. His mother taught him not to be bitter and realize everyone suffers. Besides being a Sunday school teacher, he has a reputation for interjecting religious beliefs into conversation. In an interview with NPR he discussed going to his daughter’s first communion, saying that it was a great opportunity to, “Speak simply and plainly about your faith without anybody saying, ‘Yeah, but do you believe that stuff?’ which happens a lot in what I do.”

John Grisham

American author, John Grisham, is known mostly for his best-selling legal thrillers, but he talks openly about his conversion to Christianity. He confirmed his faith publically when he was eight years old. From stories heard as a child in Sunday school to becoming a Christian to going on mission trips to teaching Sunday school with his wife, John Grisham seems to have come full circle.

These men believe/d that their faith was vital to their success. All of them believe/d strongly that it was their duty to help others. Their desire to live out their convictions helped contribute to society. The success of Sunday school does not depend on famous men volunteering their time on Sunday morning to teach, but it serves as a great testimony to the Sunday school model and its overall effectiveness.

By: Holly Watson

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Steve Jobs and Bill Gates

A company can obviously not anticipate when an accident or tragedy may strike; what it can do is to take measures to protect the potential losses and liabilities by choosing to purchase Key Man Insurance.  Here are six areas to explore when considering such coverage:

Your Public Face

 Public opinion is an important thing for many companies. The identification with this figure by the general public can certainly affect sales as well as stock share prices. In many companies, there is usually a leader or spokesperson that is recognized as “the face” of that business. This person is also usually someone who is a highly contributing member of its success, so losing them could have a  catastrophic impact.

Young Employees are not Immune

Your principal or key employee may be youthful and seemingly healthy—just starting out in their career—but this does not mean they are immune from injuries, accidents or sudden onset of an inherited disease. If you fail to cover them, just because they are young, this mistake could bring your business to its knees.

Financial Backing

Throughout the life of a company, there are sure to be times when the business needs to seek out funding or financing. This may be for research and development of a new product, or to assist in an expansion or merger. Whatever type of funding is being explored, all financial institutions will highly scrutinize the company, its assets and the employees. If there is an important employee that is not covered by Key Man Insurance, the bank may not be willing to take a risk and approve the funding since not having this insurance is sure to be seen as a liability.

Essential Systems and Procedures

When a key individual is no longer with the company, there is often a good deal of information that can be lost. Procedures and specifics that were only known to that person may not have been well documented.  With Key Man Insurance, a crucial step is to have documentation and plans in place in case this person is suddenly out of the picture. This would include manuals and directions that would help the company keep the position and the duties going in their absence. Also, a specific hiring plan should be included; when such an integral staff member is gone, it is essential to correctly recruit and get the best person to fill the vacancy.

The Company Structure

Executives and principals in the company are often shareholders and have financial stake that are transferrable to family members in the event of death. In these circumstances, a company should have procedures in place to ensure that the best interests of the business are being considered; not having this planned out could potentially cripple a company.

Specialized Expertise

In every industry, there are employees that have extensive experience as well as specific schooling and advanced degrees. When it comes time to replace these important employees, Key Man Insurance will be helpful to ensure that the loss of the employee is not detrimental.

Disasters, injuries and death are never expected when they happen. Key man coverage could be vital to ensuring your company’s ability to continue after an “irreplaceable” person has been taken out of the equation; providing peace of mind and assistance should something unfortunate occur.

Liam Murphy is a contributor for Key Insurance Quotes, where you can find key man insurance to cover key employees and protect your business interest.

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Going on a date and meeting someone new can be a very exciting experience. You wear the best outfit that you can find, make sure your hair is perfect and anticipate having a great time with who’s taking you out, or vice versa. Unfortunately, not all dates turn out to be as fun as previously thought. There are some dates that are not knocked out of the park. The least thing is that one of the daters are seconds away from getting knocked out because of how bad they made a date turned out to be. Here are the top 10 dating turn-offs that are sure to not guarantee the man, or women dates in the future. Take this time out to read and LEARN.

1. Being Late

The first date is crucial and it is very important that it gets started in the best way possible. Being late for a date often implies that you don’t care about the valuable time of the person you’re going out with. By not being on time, your date might feel that you are selfish and might only care about your own precious time because you are forcing your date to wait for you.

2. Arrogance

“Hey baby, is it hot in here or is it just me?” “Nope, it’s just hot in here.” Having an arrogant attitude is definitely a mood killer. The purpose of a date is to get to know one another, not just have all of the attention on oneself. There is a difference between confidence and cockiness. Learn it!

3. Aggression Too Early

Please don’t act like you are fresh out of jail when you haven’t been dating someone for that long. Granted, some people might like that because they might want something else later on in the evening. However, if you know that you date is not the type to move fast don’t force yourself on him/her. Patience is a virtue, so down boy (or girl)!

4. Gender Role Reversals

It’s great for men to have a soft feminine side most of the time. However, too much is a complete and utter no-no. If your female date is crying because a puppy passed away in the movie, for heaven’s sake please don’t join her in her sob party! She wants you to hold her. Moreover, females who favor dominating the conversation and the entire date are not the best idea either. Allow the man to take the lead. Let the man be the man.

5. Lack of Sense of Humor

No one likes a stick in the mud. Don’t take yourself too seriously on a date. The purpose is to enjoy yourself and have fun. If you aren’t the type to have a good time, do you honestly wonder why you aren’t asked on dates more often? Hmmm, ponder that.

6. Chivalry Should Not Be Dead

A male who doesn’t hold the door for a woman to enter is not a real man. Point. Blank. Period. There is something about being chivalrous to a woman that makes a man look that much more appealing. It shows that he is caring, considerate and a provider.

7. Nasty Eating Habits

There is no one is the world that wants to feel like they are dating a one year old….or a bear. Food all over your clothes and face and toxic burps galore, this is the #1 way to have your date sneaking out the bathroom window and running down the street.

8. Keep Bringing Up the Ex

Want to talk nonstop about your ex? Why don’t you just keep dribbling a basketball on your date’s head, it’ll be less annoying. Your ex is in the past for a reason; let him/her stay there.

9. “Forgets” Wallet

Really though? He didn’t forget his phone, house/car keys, or your house address but he accidently forgot his wallet??? Well then, there’s only one thing to do. Just pay for your meal and leave him there to do your dishes!

10. Being Fake

Being genuine on a date is a one of the greatest ways to leave a good impression. Having a fake personality and not showing the type of person that you truly are is not going to make your date look forward to seeing you again. You’re going to be seen as a phony that’s hesitant to get close to people.

Article provided by Lipgloss Culture – We are genuine, bold, open-minded, curious, adventurous and not afraid to tell it like it is. We live busy lives, have diverse interests, and are always trying new things. We count on our girlfriends for support and romance advice

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10. Bad Dentistry

Whether it’s a missing tooth, unsightly braces or just bad breath, poor dental health seems to take a big bite out of male interest. One guy who I asked about this topic, remarked: “I can’t even look at Kate Moss anymore … or Amy Winehouse.”. I couldn’t look at Amy in the first place.

9. Shoe Shopping

Okay. It might be a low blow but there is something about being dragged around a shoe shop that brings about a feeling of dread and despair like no other. Maybe it’s the knowledge that they already have plenty of shoes, or that they already have that pair but in a different colour, or maybe it’s just the sheer boredom! Whatever the reason, shoe shopping is a big turn off for guys.

8. Too Much Make-Up

Everyone can admit to looking at a girl at some point and thinking, “Damn, that’s a lot of makeup”. In some cases, it’s difficult to understand just how they can think they actually look good. Please ladies, a little make up can look good, just don’t use half the tub of foundation.

7. Personality

Or lack of in this case. Having a good personality is obviously something that anyone wants, whether a guy or a girl, and goes hand in hand with being able to get on well. We’ve all been in that situation where they look good across the room, but as soon as you get within ear shot it’s time to run for the hills!

6. Stupidity

Regardless of popular belief, guys don’t only care about girls with a pretty face! A lot of guys like to be able to have an intelligent conversation, rather than settle with the stereotypical bimbo who seems to only hold a few brain cells.

5. Big Ego

I think this is probably the most obvious one that would be high on the list of turn offs for both guys and ladies. There really is very little that is as frustrating and annoying as someone who is self-centeredpari and egotistical; whether they’re a guy or a girl.

4. Fake Tan

I think this is closely linked to “Too Much Make-Up”, in that both leave you thinking “How can anyone find that attractive?” Both make-up and fake tan are okay in moderation, but getting someone else’s fake tan on your face after a kiss is not something that’s high on a guy’s list of priorities.

3. Weight

Alright, it may seem shallow, but weight can make a big difference in a guy’s initial opinion of a girl. And it’s not just whether or not the girl’s overweight. Many guys find underweight girls just as much of a turn off as overweight girls.

2. Body Hair

The final turn off before we get to the big number one. Whether it’s a little whiskery moustache or stubbly legs, for some reason guys seem very happy to grow their own beard, but are very much freaked out when it appears on the opposite sex. Another brilliant quote from one of my male associates was: “I kissed a girl with a little bit of a moustache once. I had an image of my dad in my head – it wasn’t nice”. Well, that goes without saying…

1. Bad Hygiene

And now we come to the big one – the one that women worldwide have been waiting for. The biggest thing guys try to avoid in regard to the ladies is bad hygiene and body odor. Though, of course, this is another one that is a turn off for both genders. Whether it comes from a potential partner, a work colleague or merely a member of the opposite sex who you see while out and about, body odor is the biggest turn off for a guy … and a pet peeve of mine because it can be dealt with so easily!

As a kind of footnote, I feel I should inform you that the people asked during the process of writing this were comprised mainly of University students in their late teens, which might explain a lot if some of you thought the answers to be immature or odd. But, we know it’s what many of us would think in the same situation. Don’t we? And I’m well aware that the order of the list will differ for us all.

This article was written solely for Make The List by Lewis from the Cosmetic Dentistry Guide, where the females reading can learn to make sure their smile doesn’t let them down when they next meet Mr Right.

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Taking the step to turn a meaningful relationship into a long-term collaboration is a big decision to make. We’ve all been in the throes of infatuation at the beginning of a relationship; when you think you can’t live without a person. So how do you know when it’s time to commit? Below are six reasons to take the plunge.

Partnership - Having a companion is nice, but a partner is for life. Your friends can come over to watch movies and eat popcorn with you late at night—but your partner stays up with you and holds your hair when you wake up with a stomach virus. Your friends take you out for drinks when you land your dream job; your partner inspires you to start your own business when you’re laid off.

Security - If you’re confident that your partner can protect you from burglars, bear attacks, and highway robbery, he is probably the man for you. In all seriousness, though, security isn’t overrated. Being with someone who makes you feel secure in your relationship, career, and your own pursuits will allow you to nurture your individuality. Knowing that your partner will grow with you and still be there in 60 years lets you feel free to be who you truly are.

Loyalty - Marriage isn’t always sunshine & rainbows; the honeymoon stage goes away, the humdrum routine of everyday life takes over, and stress can take its toll. There are days when your partner’s bed head really isn’t that appealing, and the way she chews her food isn’t all that endearing anymore. But the way your eyes light up when she walks in the door, and the fact that you still go out and buy her chocolate even when she’s taking out her moodiness on you is what lets you know this is for real.

Balance - Even though you can finish each other’s sentences and guess what he’s going to order every time you go to a new restaurant, you’re comfortable letting him go out with the guys, and he likes to see you spend time with your girlfriends. Being with someone 24/7 is not healthy, whether it’s your partner, your mother, or your dog. When you have a relaxed balance between yourself and your partner, you’ll know the relationship will make it in the long run.

Inspiration - Does your partner make you want to sit on the couch and eat potato chips all day, or does he inspire you to volunteer your time working with orphaned kittens? When she inspires you to make the most out of your life, that’s a good sign.
Support - When you are self-assured and have a diverse range of interests, you bring more to the relationship. If your partner will support you in your hobbies and family connections, you will grow as individuals and as a couple. When you have found someone who understands your plight to collect 1,000 garden gnomes, and doesn’t feel uncomfortable with all those eyes staring at him every time he works in the yard, you have found a partner for life.

Although it’s idealistic and hopeful to think that all you really need is love, you need to be confident in the details that will make a difference between a fleeting infatuation and a solid relationship. Remember that no matter whether there are things about your sweetheart that rub you the wrong way or that delight your heart, they will only get deeper as your life together goes on.  So pay attention, trust those instincts, and be happy.

Summer Myers is a wedding planner and enjoys hearing from her clients years later that their lives are full and stable. She loves giving her couples unique gifts, like beautiful handmade wedding cards from Lotus Art Studio.

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