Don’t Be a Liar—Follow Up Immediately!

If you said something during the conversation that requires a follow-up, then follow up. Forgetting is no excuse! Write yourself a note and put it in a place where you’ll be sure to see it. Do it! Whether it’s giving someone a business call, placing her in contact with another person, sending him an article, or anything else, act immediately on what you said!

It's Over—I Wanna Go Now

As the old saying goes, it takes two to tango. Just as the person you are talking to might be turned off to you, it goes both ways. The other person may not be all that you bargained for. The main thing is to maintain your dignity and that others maintain theirs. Never be a hypocrite and say that you'll call or get together with them if that is not your real intention. This makes for ill feelings in the long run.
If you never intend to see someone again, just tell him that you enjoyed speaking with him. If you want to move on and talk to someone else, do so, but do it graciously. Say: “I'm glad we had the opportunity to chat.
Would you please excuse me, because I need to speak to someone over there.” If you just want to mingle, tell them: “I'm glad we met. I am going to mingle now” (or “meet some other people”). Always remember, the last thing you say leaves a lasting impression, so be gracious and leave with a firm handshake and a smile.

Talking Ethnic

In order to bond with someone from a different culture, it's best to know what certain words mean before you use them. An American ice skater went on Australian television and said “when I last skated, I fell on my fanny.” To an American that's not funny at all, but to an Australian, it's hysterical! Translated into Australian, she said “when I last skated, I fell on my vagina.” So you have to be careful. To help you, I have come up with a list of some common ethnic words and phrases (many familiar to you) so that you will know what people are talking about when you hear them. If necessary, I list their pronunciation after the term.

Latin Terms Commonly Used in English
• modus operandi (MO)—method of procedure
• modicum of decorum—way of behavior
• per diem (per DEE um) or per annum—by the day or by the year
• in absentia—in one's absence
• status quo—the present state of things
• de facto—in actuality
• ex post facto—after the fact
• pueris enternis—man refusing to grow up
• per se (per SAY)—in itself, intrinsically
• persona non grata—person not welcome

German Terms Commonly Used in English
• wunderkind (VUN der kind)—talented, precocious child
• angst—foreboding or anxiety
• doppleganger—mirror image
• verboten (vayer BOAT tin)—forbidden
• gesundheit (gez ZUNT hite)—to your health (said after one sneezes)
• zeitgeist (ZITE guyst)—spirit of an era
• wanderlust—yearning to travel

Yiddish Terms Commonly Used in English
• mishigas (mish shig Goss)—insanity
• shlep—drag
• mensch—a person who does good by others
• yenta—gossipy person
• chutzpha (HOOTS pah)—a lot of nerve