Turning a Crowd into a Community
In 21st century America, opening a dialogue with a stranger is downright suspect. Making eye contact is awkward. It is best to look busy by engaging with the little screens we carry. You can easily hide behind the impersonal walls many put up to circumvent face to face contact at inappropriate times. Even so, suppose face to face contact was needed? What would be the easiest method to engage a stranger in a conversation? What about hundreds of strangers within a crowd of thousands? Consider name tags?
Making the simplest human relationship has grown to be very hard for some. We are more connected, but less connected. It is actually easier than ever to go through life avoiding actual connection with strangers and neighbors, the very people we must engage if we are going to reach out for virtually any purpose whatsoever.
In the recently unparalleled blitz towards social awkwardness, Meetup.com and the Huffington Post decided to hand out more than a half a million name tags to the audience for a recent presidential Inauguration. The name tags read Hello, My Fellow American, My Name Is… and attendees were to write in their name, where they are from and slap it on their coat to begin interactions with fellow Americans.
In doing so, they turned a crowd into a community.
Everyone is much more open to approach and conversation with strangers when their name is visible, like for example on name badges. Consider name tags or name badges the next time you will be networking in a large crowd of strangers. You are sure to start conversations which can become productive and possible even profitable in the end.
Cat Q&A on Cat Training and More
Q: Are cats trainable?
A: Yes, cat training is not as tough as many people believe it is. Cats most likely are not as responsive to training as Fido or Rover are but they can be trained. Treats given as positive reinforcement is definitely the primary means to train a cat.
Q: Why and how do kitties make a purring sound?
A: Grown cats purr because they are happy and contented and to play on the emotions of humans — Who can ignore a purring kitty? Kittens purr in answer to their mother cat’s purr to help bond them. It is mostly thought that the purring is a vibration of the larynx as air is pushed though it. It is also believed that purring is a voluntary action.
Q: Why are the reasons certain folks are allergic to cats?
A: Cat allergies are caused by the proteins in cat dander generated from the cat’s saliva. The dander dries and becomes airborne. People with cat allergies develop a reaction because their immune system is beginning to combat the foreign protein and creates histamines.
Q: How do you change unwanted cat behavior like biting?
A: The best way to stop undesirable cat behavior is the same way the mother cat controls an errant kitten. This is by scuffing the cat. You firmly but gently grasp the cat by the scruff of the neck and hold it down until it calms down. You should do this at the time of the bad behavior.
Q: How do you litter train a cat?
A: You really shouldn’t need to do any training for a cat to use a litter box, but if your previously litter trained cat has begun to avoid the litter pan you need to find out why. The cat may have a urinary tract infection in which case you need to go to the veterinarian. If it is just too dirty you need to keep it cleaner. If you have started using litter you may have to change back or sprinkle a little catnip in the litter to attract the cat to the new litter.
Q: How do you keep cats off counter tops?
A: This is the most asked about cat behavior problems and can be a difficult one. Cats like elevated places and they often find food or food smells on counters and tables. It is best to keep the surfaces clean and to use something like foil or double sided tape to keep cats off the tables.
Feline Questions and Answers on Cat Training and More
Q: Is cat training possible?
A: Yes, training a cat is not as impossible as some cat people assume it is. Cats most likely are not as responsive to training as canines are but they are trainable. Food rewards given as positive reinforcement is definitely the surest method to train your cat.
Q: Why and how do kitties make a purring sound?
A: Grown cats purr because they are happy and contented and to manipulate humans — who can resist a purring cat? Kittens purr in response to their mother cat’s purr to help bond them. It is usually believed that the purring is a vibration of the voice box as air is pushed though it. It is also believed that purring is a voluntary action.
Q: Why are the reasons certain cat owners are allergic to cats?
A: Cat allergies are caused by the proteins in cat dander generated from the cat’s saliva. The dander dries and becomes airborne. People with cat allergies demonstrate a reaction because their immune system is attempting to combat the enemy protein and creates histamines.
Q: How do you change unwanted cat behavior such as nipping?
A: The best way to change bad cat behavior is the same way the mother cat controls an errant kitten. This is by scuffing the cat. You firmly but gently grasp the cat by the scruff of the neck and hold it down until it calms down. You need to do this at the time of the naughty behavior.
Q: How do you litter train a cat?
A: You really shouldn’t be required to do any training for a cat to make use of a litter pan, but if your adult cat has begun to avoid the litter pan you need to determine the cause. The cat may have a urinary tract infection in which case you need to go to the veterinarian. If it is just too dirty you need to keep it cleaner. If you have switched to litter you may have to change back or sprinkle a little catnip in the litter to attract the cat to the new litter.
Q: How do you keep cats off tables?
A: This is the most asked about cat behavior issues and can be a difficult one. Cats like high perches and they can find food or food smells on counters and tables. It is best to keep the surfaces clean and to use something like foil or double sided tape to keep cats off the counters.