Can you give Morrissa a home? (Picture: RSPCA / SWNS.com)
Staff at a rescue centre are struggling to find a home for an abandoned dog – because people think she is ‘too ugly’.
13-year-old Morrissa is a hairless Chinese crested dog and is naturally bald on most of her body.
She’s also blind, and has been staying at an RSPCA centre for weeks – but has become a firm favourite with staff.
Staff at the Danaher Animal Home, in Braintree, Essex, say no one will take Morrissa home because they find her too ugly.
Craig Horsler, senior supervisor at Danaher, said: ‘They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder – and we all think Morissa is absolutely gorgeous.
People think she’s too ugly to adopt (Picture: RSPCA / SWNS.com)
‘But she is unusual looking and we’re worried that prospective owners consider her ugly and that is what could be putting them off of her.
‘As well as being a hairless variety of the Chinese crested – a small, toy breed that was traditionally kept as a companion dog – she’s also in her twilight years and does have a few health problems.
‘She’s partially blind which we believe is due to heavy scarring to her eyes from previous ulcers.
‘She’s also quite nervous – particularly around men – so we’re looking for a calm, quiet home for her where her new owners can slowly work to build her confidence.’
Morrissa has tufts of white and grey hair on her head and around her feet and tail, but the rest of her body is bald – as with all hairless Chinese crested dogs.
But she is absolutely lovely and incredibly loving (Picture: RSPCA / SWNS.com)
She knows lots of commands and is happy being left alone for short periods of time.
Every dog is deserving of a home, and Morrissa is a lovely little thing who will be a wonderful addition to a family.
She may be able to live with another dog and with a friendly cat. She may also be suitable to live in a family home with children.
Craig added: ‘She’s such a sweet, friendly little dog and she really deserves to find a loving home to enjoy her senior years.
‘If anyone can offer her a home then we’d love them to get in touch.’
Here’s where the lucky Archies will be staying (Picture: Mercure Hotel Hyde Park)
Hey, not sure if you’ve heard but the royal baby, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, also known as the child of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, arrived this week.
It’s been quite a big deal and everyone’s very excited.
But the announcement of the name may have ruined the days of one group of people: those named Archie.
They’ve had to brace themselves for new royalty-related nicknames and jokes at their expense. Lovely.
But there is a bright side. As well as getting free access to Drayton Manor Park, people named Archie will be able to have a free stay at Mercure London Hyde Park Hotel… as long as they also share the royal baby’s birthday, 6 May (don’t worry about the year, as those would be some very strict requirements).
(Picture: Mercure)
So, if your name is Archie and you were also born on 6 May, it’s worth getting in touch with the hotel so you can have a fancy night in London with a guest.
You’ll get breakfast too, so it’s a pretty sweet deal for those special Archies that walk among us.
You’ll need to bring along a scan of your passport or drivers license on the day to prove you’re not messing around, and the rooms will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis – just in case there are loads of Taurus Archies waiting to snap this deal up.
If you tick off all the boxes, email mercure@manifest.london before 31 May for the chance to claim your free room. Include a scan of your ID for evidence of your Archie-ness.
Can anyone get this message to Meghan and Harry? We’re sure they’d appreciate a free overnight stay on Archie’s behalf.
This bride asked for free wedding flowers (Picture: Imgur)
A woman has outraged the internet after she asked a florist to do labour for free.
The woman texted the florist, Mimi, to ask whether she would buy and create her wedding flowers – but after the florist gave her a price quote, she quickly tried her best to haggle the cost down to… absolutely nothing.
Quick note, brides-to-be: weddings are expensive, we know, but that doesn’t mean people should do unpaid work to make yours happen.
Learn from this story, please. Never be that person.
The woman sent a photo of what she wanted which Mimi said would cost $18 per foot.
The bride asked for these flowers (Picture: Imgur)
Instead of accepting the offer, the woman asked why Mimi was charging so much – to which Mimi gave an in-depth explanation as to where the costs came from.
Mimi explained the price… (Picture: Imgur)
But the bride still wasn’t happy – and even said she was hoping Mimi could just buy the flowers at her wholesale cost, and do all of the labour for free. Yes, really.
The bride wasn’t happy (Picture: Imgur)
Mimi continued to be professional, explaining that no, she wouldn’t do all of that work for free – but she was happy to recommend other people to her. Instead of being understanding, the bride was simply rude, and replied with a thumbs down.
She dealt with it with a thumbs down… (Picture: Imgur)
Unbelievable.
Honestly, we’re surprised Mimi remained so professional – so kudos to her.
Reddit users, however, weren’t quite as calm. After the conversation was posted to Imgur, people had a lot to say about it.
One person said: ‘People who think their “exposure” equates money are the worst types of people.
‘It’s a real slap in the face.’
Another said: ‘Spends $10K on everything else, wants the flowers at cost and free labor. Sounds about right.’
Someone else added: ‘Why are brides so beastly and think they are so special? So many people get married. They aren’t anything special’.
And another person wrote: ‘You are very nice. I would have ripped that person apart.’
And we’ve got to agree – Mimi does seem really nice. Here’s hoping another customer comes along and actually wants to pay her for her hard work.
You may have captioned an Instagram post ‘yacht life’, but have you ever actually lived that yacht life?
Probably not, unless you’re super wealthy and have boats to spare.
Good news, though: you finally can live that yacht life without becoming a property magnate, as people are looking for yacht reviewers.
Essentially rich people want to know the yacht they’re thinking of purchasing is the right one, so they’re in need of someone to test out the options.
All you’ll need to do is live, eat, and sleep on the yacht for a week, and you’ll get £1,000 at the end of each review.
You will need to be over 21 years old, have a passport, and be available for yacht reviewing on short notice throughout the year.
Those who get seasick probably shouldn’t apply.
This could be you (Picture: Getty)
The job isn’t a stable career, so we wouldn’t recommend quitting your day gig to spend your life on yachts. The reviewer will need to work on an ad-hoc basis, getting £1,000 per yacht with each review lasting one week. If you’re flexible, this sounds pretty dreamy.
You don’t need extensive yacht experience to apple (thankfully), but if you have an eye for detail and a flair for writing high quality reviews, you’ll be a great fit. The job listing also asks for reliable and hardworking applicants, so you can’t just faff around all day.
Aaron Harpin, HushHush.com founder, said: ‘Obviously, we’re a very high-end site and expect our products to be of the highest quality, which is why we’re looking to hire someone whose job is solely assessing the quality of yachts and ensuring they meets our high standards.
‘We need someone who is reliable, hard-working and has an eye for detail, we’re expecting them to find things that no-one else would notice. I’m hoping to find someone who is perfect for the job as soon as possible!’
Don’t panic, you don’t have to give up your skincare routine (Picture: Getty)
Looking to make your beauty routine more planet-friendly?
From excessive, non-recyclable packaging to its lack of transparency over ingredients and ethical practices, the beauty industry isn’t exactly known for being particularly eco-friendly.
It’s been a longtime coming, but thanks to an increased awareness beauty is finally waking up, with more consumers demanding cleaner, sustainably packaged beauty products.
But how do you make your beauty routine more sustainable and eco-friendly?
We all know the simple adjustments we can make to our routines, such as minimising the use of products, washing our hair less and buying products that come in recycle containers.
But we spoke to Marcia Kilgore, founder of bath and body brand Soaper Duper (not to mention Bliss, Soap & Glory, FitFlop and Beauty Pie), who have recycled more than 22 metric tonnes of plastic since their launch, on what makes packaging sustainable, the best way to recycle your beauty products and much more.
And it’s easier than you’d think…
What’s the difference between sustainable, eco-friendly and recyclable beauty products?
Sustainable products provide environmental, social and economic benefits while protecting public health and the environment over their whole life cycle (from the extraction of raw materials until the final disposal of the product) and do not use ingredients aren’t able to be regrown or replaced.
Eco-friendly products do not harm the environment in their production, use or disposal and neutralise after having been washed down the drain.
Recyclable generally refers to the product packaging. The process of converting waste materials into new, reusable materials and objects.
How can you tell if beauty products are sustainably made?
‘It’s really difficult because there is little policing done of product sources in areas of the world where these products are farmed. Very often sustainability claims come down to the moral decisions, the ethos, and the suppliers of the ingredients,’ Marcia Kilgore tells Metro.co.uk.
‘You can look at ingredients lists, but as a layperson, it may be difficult to ascertain whether every ingredient is from a sustainable source. Even some brands with sustainability stamps have been found to NOT be using sustainable sources, and it hasn’t been for lack of trying.’
Marcia said she demands that all ingredients are sustainable when it comes to the formulation of her beauty products.
However it’s more complex than that: ‘A chemist explained that containers of plants oils etc are often mixed at the shipping point to ensure that containers are full so that shipping fuel is maximised (which IS good for the earth), therefore some sustainable products can be mixed with unsustainable product and in the end, it can be difficult to know which product you are getting, even though the initial order was for the sustainable one.’
Marcia explains: ‘Remove, Reduce, Recycle, Renew and Re-use…to have an idea of what makes packaging sustainable we must look at the entire life cycle of a package – from raw materials all the way through how we dispose of it.’
‘The packaging has to be beneficial, safe and healthy for individuals and communities throughout its whole life cycle as well as being physically designed to optimise materials used and energy to create them.’
Are there simple ways to have a more eco-friendly routine?
In short, yes. Presenting four easy switches to make now:
Look for packaging that limits the use of glosses and foils (which are messy to make), avoid metal overshells, fancy packaging add-ons and giant ornate lids.
Buy bigger bottles less often, instead of smaller bottles more often.
Look for products that are packaged in more simple containers, using recyclable and recycled materials, recycled plastic, and fully recyclable pumps. The Soaper Duper bath and body range (boots.com) is fully recyclable, with their new packaging now containing a fully recyclable plastic pump.
Make sure you put a recycling bin inside your bathroom, and ensure your cosmetic containers go into the correct bin. Joseph Joseph Bathroom Split Waste Separation Bin (£14.99, amazon.co.uk) makes separating recyclable and non-recyclable bathroom waste easy peasy.
Should we limit the amount of products we use?
‘It’s hard to tell people what to do, as many products that consumers use problem-solution based (and appearance is so related to a positive psyche),’ says Marcia. ‘Being mindful about packaging and making sustainable and eco-friendly choices makes you part of the solution.’
Are natural ingredients more sustainable than synthetic?
Not necessarily.
‘While most of Soaper Duper fragrances include some naturals, pure plant oils can often cause skin sensitivity and contain higher levels of allergens,’ says Marcia. ‘Man-made or mixed-fragrance compounds are often easier to control to reduce any potential skin reactions.’
What’s the best way to recycle your beauty products?
‘Whenever possible, pull the pumps apart to separate the different materials, and recycle each appropriately. Be sure to rinse any jars or bottles and if you live in a place that separates by plastic type, its important to do so.’
Why do beauty brands have trouble going green?
‘Honestly, I think some of them are so worried to admit that they weren’t green already that they are mentally paralysed,’ Marcia tells us. It’s a lot of work to re-engineer all of your formulations especially if you haven’t considered sustainability in the first place.
‘Work means more resourcing, and resourcing costs money!’
Why now?
‘There’s no time like the present! We’re educated. Our consumption has been exponential, and the trash and pollution as a result mirrors it. The evidence is mounting that we have to do things differently.’
‘Nobody wants to live in pollution!’
Other brands making green beauty a reality
Burts Bees: Burt’s Bees products are 99% natural with over half of the products 100% natural. The brand do not test on animals and provide fair working conditions and carbon-free manufacturing initiatives.
Floral Street: Our favourite niche fragrance brand pride themselves for not only their gorgeous scents, but for being the first in fragrance who offer their bottles in a totally recyclable and biodegradable box.
Kjaer Weis: Kjaer Weis ensures that not only are all theit ingredients certified natural or certified organic, but that they always reach the standards of luxury beauty. Plus they offer a refill scheme for their snazzy compacts.
Sana Jardin: The fragrance brand is zero waste, sustainable and socially conscious in that all floral waste is donated to the female flower harvesters who make their own brand of products.
Soaper Duper: Eco warrior’s Soaper Duper are constantly striving for ways to improve the amount of recycled plastic in their packaging too and have just introduced fully recyclable plastic pump for their iconic bubble bottles (most pumps contain a metal spring which cannot be recycled.) .
Tata Harper: This skincare brand houses their products in entirely reusable and recyclable green glass bottles. They’re also vegan and cruelty-free and as for their ingredients, they’re 100% natural and organic from sustainable sources.
The Body Shop: To mark World Fair Trade Day, The Body Shop have announced their working with waste pickers in India and they’ve started using community trade launch recycled plastic from India. They’re also bringing back their recycling scheme, simply return your empty Body Shop tubs, bottles, tubes & pots in selected stores and they’ll recycle and repurpose it for you.
The Soap Co.: The Soap Co. are vegan, cruelty-free, with compostable soap wrappers. And all their products are are handcrafted in the UK by people who are blind, disabled or otherwise disadvantaged.
And remember, beauty essentials such as body and face wash can be donated to charities like Beauty Banks, who collect, re-package and distribute beauty parcels to registered foodbanks and shelters.
Work is all we know as a culture. After meeting someone, ‘what do you do?’ is one of the first questions we ask and the government wants to opt out of the EU Working Time Directive, which limits work to 48 hours-a-week.
Kyle Lewis, a researcher at thinktank Autonomy and an associate lecturer in philosophy, doesn’t think it’s realistic or a good thing to think about the ‘end’ of work.
‘We can use robots in a more egalitarian and focused manner that offers the potential for shorter working weeks, the production of more human-centred work and the reduction of toilsome and dangerous jobs,’ he says.
Design scientist, futurologist, and systems theorist, Melissa Sterry agrees.
‘AI has immense capacity to help humanity to not merely ask much bigger and more complex questions than have been asked before, but to find the answers to those questions,’ she tells Metro.co.uk.
‘The advent of AI is akin to that of the calculator, in that it builds on, rather than competes with our abilities… For better or for worse, we discern how, where and why AI’s potential is used.’
So if work is still continuing, how much do we need to work? Is work anything more than a means to pay for survival?
There’s an increasing body of evidence that shows we’re not actually doing 10 hours of work in our 10-hour working days.
Salaried employees only do around three hours of ‘real’ work each day, according to one study.
Presenteeism could be seen as detrimental to companies as well as just employees.
And this drive to work is a relatively new one.
To tally with idea of three hours of ‘real work’, the traditional Kung people of the Kalahari Desert work three hours a day and as little as 12 hours a week.
While servants probably didn’t have the best lives, it was normal to consider a day’s work to take half the day and averaged out to around eight or nine hours-a-day, according to HS Bennett’s Life On The English Manor.
The main difference was that, it is said, up to half the year was taken as some sort of holiday.
It was only the Industrial Revolution that created the working patterns we know today.
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Mwetro.co.uk)
For those with African heritage, the idea of this structure is a relatively new concept. Kenyan philosopher John Mbiti stated that Western time is something to be ‘utilised, sold, or bought’, as opposed to African time, which is not as finite and can be ‘made’ at will.
Emma Dabiri states in her book, Don’t Touch My Hair: ‘As recently as 150 years ago, wage labour seemed both degrading and perverse to the people of what was about to become Nigeria. The schedule that most of us grudgingly accept today – starting work at a certain predetermined time (not your own choice), eating at a predetermined hour dictated by a boss, finishing work at a regimented time (ordained from on high) was seen by my great-greats as akin to slavery’.
How much time work ‘should’ take is already being disrupted by flexible working and trials of the four-day working week.
Billionaire Richard Branson even believes that we may see a three-day working week, and has implemented flexible working and unlimited holiday time for Virgin employees. He states that the changes help parents to continue their careers after starting a family, and also allows them to maintain healthier lifestyles.
Despite good results, however, it’s currently not a change that’s proved sustainable overall.
After a trial of six-hour work days in Sweden, Daniel Bernmar, the Left Party councillor responsible for running Gothenburg’s elderly care (who organised the trial) said: ‘Could we do this for the entire municipality? The answer is no, it will be too expensive’.
Another entrepreneur who took part stated that it was ‘stressful’, and it was only backed by 6% of the country’s electorate in the last general election.
They all did say, however, that it was a growing trend of what’s going to be on the agenda for politicians in the coming decades.
Economist John Meynard Keynes wrote in 1930 that we’d be working for 15 hours a week in 100 years: ‘For the first time since his creation man will be faced with his real, his permanent problem,’ he wrote.
‘How to use his freedom from pressing economic cares, how to occupy the leisure, which science and compound interest will have won for him, to live wisely and agreeably and well.’
Kyle Lewis believes that we already have those answers to those ‘permanent problems’:
‘In many ways, to ascertain what kind of things people will get up to, we just need to look around on bank holidays, on our weekends and at those who are happily retired,’ he says.
‘It simply isn’t true that employment is the only thing that gives meaning to our lives – often the opposite is true and people find themselves in repetitive, gloomy work that doesn’t reflect their aspirations or potential.
‘It is also important to remember that outside of their jobs people often engage in activities that still might count as work – volunteering, caring for loved ones and/or starting a new project with friends.
‘This situation underlines why it is so problematic to consider “work” only in terms of whatever job we have to do to make ends meet.’
That problem of money is one that doesn’t have any easy answers.
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
In Finland, a ‘free cash experiment’ – or providing universal basic income (UBI) – where everyone was provided £475-a-month regardless of circumstance was controversial. It didn’t make unemployed people more likely to be in work but did improve health and happiness.
In the UK, a recent report by economists Stewart Lansley and Howard Reed said that the cost of switching to a Universal Basic Income in Britain would be £28bn.
This figure ‘is less than the aggregate cuts to welfare since 2010’ and the report’s authors said: ‘These reforms offer a significant modification of the existing system of social security – creating one more suited to the new risks of insecurity, precarity and work-based poverty of the 21st century.’
So would that mean we would work less and be happier?
‘[We should] start thinking seriously about decoupling income from wages so that everyone in society can participate and contribute to social life without the fear of stigma and destitution that often comes with unemployment,’ says Kyle Lewis.
He suggests moving on from current ‘solutions’ like Universal Credit and the Job Centre, and looking towards universal basic income as a right
‘It could be introduced incrementally over time – starting with modest rates and gradually amounting to something like a living wage,’ he says.
‘It would represent a progressive redistribution of wealth from the 1% (and the 0.1%), who have grown incredibly rich over the past thirty years, to the rest of society, who have paid for this inequality over the decade of austerity.’
But this is a contentious issue. Working is said to give people purpose, with Evelyn Cotter, Founder of SEVEN Career Coaching saying: ‘Most people need to feel like they are contributing, adding value, making an impact in ways that are seen or felt to feel good about themselves and progress. That is not going to change, that’s the human spirit’.
She continues: ‘It’s healthy to have a work ethic because what you put in, you get out, which doesn’t mean needing to slog, but having passion for what you do, fully showing up for your work because it aligns with your values and enjoying contributing’.
Plus, even UBI advocates admit it would not be a catch-all solution. Critics say inflation would be triggered because of increased income, prices would go up, the number of people seeking work would fall and there’s the question of who would pay for it.
Would companies chip in to provide the income that people need once it isn’t tied to work?
While better working conditions are agreed by all, a core idea from the government is to ‘make work pay’ rather than removing the need for work. Although Labour ministers – most notably John McDonnell – have backed a UBI, former Tory minister Nick Boles called proposals ‘dangerous nonsense’.
‘Mankind is hard-wired to work,’ he wrote in his book.
‘We gain satisfaction from it. It gives us a sense of identity, purpose and belonging… We should not be trying to create a world in which most people do not feel the need to work’.
We’re at an impasse, and the answer about what our working lives will look like is one that futurologists struggle to agree on.
‘We look in horror at the poor houses of Oliver Twist but it’s basically the same now,’ Will Stronge, director of Autonomy, has said.
Essentially, what we want and the trajectory we’re on aren’t currently compatible, which puts us on the precipice of something massive. Perhaps we’re moving towards a world where instead of working until we die, we’re able to really live.
It was previously a common belief that using sunscreen would limit vitamin D production in our bodies.
Three recent studies have debunked this, however, with their results showing that it makes very little difference in most people.
We all need vitamin D, which the body creates as a response to ultraviolet radiation. We get this radiation through exposure to the sun, but it can also be harmful and cause skin cancer.
So, this is great news, as the studies seem to have debunked the idea that wearing sunscreen to protect against UV rays doesn’t impact vitamin D synthesis.
One of the studies sent three groups to Tenerife, and gave each of them different sunscreen options that had differing levels of UVA and UVB protection. Another group were asked to stay where they lived in Poland, where UV levels are much lower.
The study actually found that those who’d used SPF15 with broad spectrum protection had the highest levels of vitamin D. Subjects’ blood was tested before, during, and after the holidays.
Lead author of the study Professor Antony Young, of King’s College London, said of: ‘Sunscreens can prevent sunburn and skin cancer, but there has been a lot of uncertainty about the effects of sunscreens on Vitamin D. Our study, during a week of perfect weather in Tenerife, showed that sunscreens, even when used optimally to prevent sunburn, allowed excellent vitamin D synthesis’.
Further studies showing similar results are due to be published by the BMJ, with findings meaning you can enjoy the sun – protected – and still get your vitamin D fix.
But of course, it’s not for everyone. Some people did not enjoy it at all, they wrote: ‘Disgusting,’ ‘Sorry not sorry it’s awful, made me cringe so hard,’ and ‘I’m suffering’.
One forward-thinker asked: ‘Do I smell a new way to make spaghetti?’
If that’s exactly the kind of frothy mess you’re into, you might want to grab the iconic clog and get to work.
But it’ll probably make a bit of a mess so we recommend doing it in the bathroom. Croc responsibly, people.
We’re about to let you into a KFC secret (and no, it’s not their secret blend of herbs and spices).
A deal to get cheaper chicken at the retailer has been doing the rounds recently, and it allows you to get £3.77 worth of food for just £1.99.
The offer gets you a mini fillet burger (which normally costs £1.49) two hot wings (normally 99p) and a regular fries (normally £1.20) with change of a £2 coin. There’s just one catch.
You have to order before 3pm to get the Fill Up Lunch deal, so no midnight bargain chicken runs.
It does work any day of the week, though, so you can always go for a hangover munch on the cheap.
You should also check if your local branch is participating, as many KFCs are franchised, so it’s their discretion whether they take part.
The deal runs until 10 June, and all you need to do is go in and order the items.
If you’d like a drink on top that’s going to be an extra 99p, unless you stick to good old H2O at home.
Fans of the Colonel’s recipe have sung the offer’s praises on Hot UK Deals where it was shared, with one calling it a ‘game changer’.
Others lambasted the early timings, saying that they’d have to stock up in the day ready to break their Ramadan fast (good idea imho). If that is your plan, you can check whether your local restaurant offers a halal option here.
These chaps are taking us back to the early noughties (Picture: Fashion Nova)
Fashion Nova is taking us back to the early 2000s with their crotchless trousers – otherwise known as chaps, which remind us of Christina Aguilera’s ‘Dirty’ days.
The Sunshine See-Through Cover Up Chaps are available in black, neon pink, lime and peach.
They feature a crotchless style with a wide leg and ruffle trim – and are meant to be worn over swimwear.
So basically, they’re thin trousers for you to easily flash your butt cheeks in – and they’re held up with a waistband for comfort.
We wouldn’t recommend wearing them anywhere with a breeze.
Beware of the breeze (Picture: Fashion Nova)
The chaps cost $24.99 and have had some great reviews so far.
One person said: ‘I bought these for a bikini contest to do a “farm girl” look for the hometown theme. EVERYONE loved them.’
Another wrote: ‘They fit so cute I’m beach ready’.
Someone else said: ‘I got the XS and this made the perfect outfit! I got so many compliments and it fit perfectly!’
However, other people who haven’t tried the chaps have been saying how uncomfortable they look – and others are just expressing their confusion – especially after the fashion retailer shared a photo of one of their curve models wearing them.
Here are some really bad dating stories.. (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Most of us have been on a bad date. And if you haven’t – you have no idea how lucky you are.
Getting some dating experience does helps us tell the difference between a good and a bad date – but still, bad dates are the worst, right?
Whether you’ve met up with someone who looked nothing like their picture, or you’ve gone to an awful place, or had the most uncomfortable conversation, bad dates will go down in our history as cringe-worthy memories.
And luckily for us, some people have decided to share those memories.
From bringing their mum to a date, to having a full-blown Nazi tattoo, here are some bad date stories that will make your toes curl.
‘A creepy dog followed us everywhere’
‘I went round someone’s house for a date; a creepy dog followed us everywhere. The house was decorated with dolls and chintz, in the middle of nowhere. I was freaked out and left after half an hour.’
‘The guy shoved his tongue down my throat’
‘My first ever date before I realised I was asexual, about an hour into the date the guy grabs me and shoves his tongue down my throat.
‘Worst thing ever. I never wanted to be kissed again after that.’
‘He didn’t want a relationship with me because I was disabled’
‘I travelled all the way down to Bristol to see him, and before we even got to the movie he told me he could never be in a relationship with me because I was disabled, but then he continued like everything was normal and we were just a normal couple on a date. Very confusing.’
‘Took her to the circus – I’m scared of clowns’
‘Took my date to the circus, we were about 12. This is where I realised I had a fear of clowns, panicked and ran away.’
‘It was so awkward I faked an escape text’
‘Had one date with a guy, it was so awkward we barely talked and I faked a text from my housemate after an hour to escape. When I got home, I had a text off him saying “I’ve considered it and yes I will take you on” … quickly blocked that number.’
Another pulled an escape text… (Picture: MMUFFIN for Metro.co.uk)
‘She only wanted to go to McDonald’s’
‘Went to pick a girl up to take for a meal, she came to the car in trackies and only wanted to go to McDonalds.’
‘She came back with a live kitten’
‘When I lived in China, I went out with a girl I’d met somewhere or other. We ended up talking about animals walking round a street market. I said I liked cats. She vanished for two minutes and came back with an actual live kitten. I didn’t see her again.’
‘Her house was like a 70s horror movie’
‘I’d known this girl at work for ages and there was simply something between us. We exchanged numbers and I was invited to her house. Well to say the place was dirty is an understatement. Even Kim & Aggie would’ve fled. It was like a scene from a 70s horror movie.’
‘She turned up with her mother’
‘Invited a girl out from work to the cinema – she turned up with her mother who insisted we went to see Evil Dead and promptly fell asleep between us – it didn’t work out.’
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
‘She said sushi “tastes like pussy”‘
‘Double date of my partner and I backing up an asexual roomie of ours on her first gay date via Alexa.
‘The gal that came to meet us very swiftly decided that making remarks about her sexual conquests were wanted or warranted. This included sushi and “tastes like pussy” jokes.
‘She didn’t like that I was bisexual’
‘I’m bisexual. I went on a date with a beautiful girl who told me after a bottle of EXPENSIVE wine she’d never be with me as she hated the idea I’d “had cock in my mouth” – four months later she posts an ultrasound pic on Instagram with her and her new boyfriend’
‘She showed me d*ck pics’
‘Not sure how bad this is but about two to three years ago I went out with a girl who on our first date was telling me about the other men she was seeing, showed me the numerous hickies and dick pics she received. Went out with her one more time and never again after that.’
‘He had a Nazi tattoo’
‘He shows up, tells me he’s a felon, I give him points for being up front about it at least, we all f*** up right?
‘At his house, he has confederate flags in his room. I brush it off (yes I have shit judgment at this point) until he takes off his shirt…
‘Nazi war eagle tattoo.’
So… next time you go on a bad date, thank your lucky stars you’re not any of these people.
We understand that it’s tricky to get someone the perfect wedding gift.
But sometimes it’s best to stick to the registry… or at least avoid more sensitive areas.
A wedding guest has been called ‘insensitive’ online for gifting a bride a pregnancy test, pacifiers, and onesies for her wedding day.
That alone would be a problematic gift (don’t assume a couple is going to have kids right away just because they tied the knot), but the bride in question is infertile.
The bride wrote on Twitter: ‘Someone gave me a pregnancy test, pacifiers, and onesies as a wedding gift and that is just super inappropriate?
‘Even if I wanted children (which I don’t) I am infertile and a gift like that is extremely insensitive.’
The tweet was shared in a wedding shaming group on Facebook, where the bride explained that her guests know she’s infertile and doesn’t want children, but she’s constantly told she’s ‘selfish’ for not procreating.
She blamed the rude gift on ‘Mormon newlywed culture’, explaining that in her religion there’s a lot of emphasis on having a large family.
‘These people know I’m infertile, and they know I don’t want to have kids,” she wrote.
Picture: Getty)
‘They keep telling me over and over again, I’ll change my mind or that I’m being selfish and immature for not having kids. I have repeatedly asked them to not bring it up.’
In the Facebook group, people were unimpressed with the choice of present.
‘This is incredibly weird and unacceptable,’ said one comment. ‘Nothing would make that okay as a wedding gift.’
Some said that they received baby-related gifts at their wedding and found the gesture incredibly helpful, but there’s an important factor to consider: whether the bride has openly declared that she’d like baby-themed gifts.
If someone has openly said they want to have children the moment they’re married, go ahead and get them a thoughtful gift to help them on their journey.
But if they haven’t, steer clear. Not everyone wants children or can have them, and confronting people with reminders of offspring is incredibly rude.
Next time, just get them a nice juicer. Everyone appreciates a juicer.
Shout lets you message for support 24 hours a day. (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Kate Middleton, and Prince William have teamed up for the first time to launch an important project: Shout, a 24/7 text messaging helpline for anyone struggling with their mental health.
The four have backed the initiative with a £3 million grant from their Royal Foundation, after making private visits to the volunteers behind Shout.
At the launch event at Kensington Palace, William said: ‘With the biggest investment by the Royal Foundation to date we are today able to formally launch Shout – a new UK-wide service that connects vulnerable people in a state of crisis to trained volunteers who are there to help.
‘The service is free to use, anonymous, and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
‘The conversations are run by volunteers who have completed 25 hours of online training, and are monitored by an exceptional clinical team. Over the course of the last year 1,000 volunteers have signed up, and 60,000 conversations have taken place.
‘That is 60,000 moments when people who were feeling scared, frightened and alone were able to use their phone to connect with someone who could support them.’
The idea behind Shout is powerful.
We know that when we’re feeling our lowest, we’re supposed to reach out and ask for help, whether that’s getting in touch with a friend or ringing the Samaritans. But sometimes even that feels impossible – we don’t want to make our friends feel burdened, and opening up on a phone call feels like too much to bear.
A texting service makes asking for help that touch easier.
Shout is the UK’s first free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.
It’s based on the Crisis Text Line in the US, but is the first time this tech has come to the UK.
The royals gave their grant to establish the charity Mental Health Innovations, which runs Shout.
Alongside the launch, they appealed for more volunteers to join the service following the end of its 12 month trial scheme.
The Duchess of Cambridge said: ‘For the last few years, I’ve been focusing much of my work on the importance of prevention in the earliest years of life to help avoid problems in later life.
‘But, sadly, for so many, they have already reached a crisis situation. This is why Shout is so important. It is able to offer support when it is crucially needed, and the opportunity to turn lives around.’
If you’re in need of support from Shout, simply text ‘shout’ to 85258.
The reason Ramadan is so sacred to me and to millions of other Muslims is the aspect of self-care (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Whenever I say I’m looking forward to Ramadan, my exhilaration for fasting is usually met with furrowed eyebrows and even more confused looks.
’30 days!’ I hear this cry every year when I mention that yes, it’s a whole month of fasting.
Ramadan is observed by 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide, give or take, and yet the aspect most popularly known about the holy month is that Muslims don’t eat or drink during sunlight. And yes, that includes even water.
The presumption is that I won’t see anyone for the next month because my entire lifestyle must also change but this initial lack of understanding towards what I’m about to embark on misses a trick.
The reason Ramadan is so sacred to me and to millions of other Muslims is the aspect of self-care and wellbeing that is interlaced within the 30 days.
Fasting is not only supposed to be fasting of the mouth but of all the other senses. It’s not just about understanding what goes into your body but being mindful about what you’re ingesting into your mind.
It’s a time to read only what’s going to be beneficial, not just entertaining, so it’s a chance to pick up that difficult title you’ve had on your bedside table for months. Muslims are also encouraged to be conscious of what they’re watching and why they’re watching it, so that could be fasting off social media or your favourite TV show.
It’s a time to read only what’s going to be beneficial, not just entertaining (Photo: Tahmina Begum)
Taking a step back from social media is usually at the top of my list: Ramadan is my excuse to quieten the constant white noise of everyone else’s lives, and a way to be mindful of the stream of information we’re all constantly taking in. Yes, fasting for 30 days can be testing at times but it is also time out from being ‘on’ all the time.
Most importantly, Ramadan is a chance to watch your behavioural patterns. That could be curbing how you speak to those close to you or noticing how you treat your body and mind when you’re at your best and worst.
Constantly being on the go can sometimes mean there’s no time to take a step back to understand your reaction to things, so I always see these 30 days as a time to reflect.
When I take a moment to be present and my thoughts are not racing, I tend to find my voice again during Ramadan and what I truly think and why. Coming home to myself like this also clarifies where the rest of the noise around me has come from.
With Muslims being faced with negative representation every day, Muslim women statistically bare the brunt of Islamaphobic attacks as we’re usually ‘visibly Muslim’.
Having time to be introspective without being a host to others and their grappling of our beliefs, lifestyles and choices, is integral to knowing who we are, past the boxes we are placed in.
Muslim women have to present themselves as ‘the perfect Muslim woman’ according to what both the East and West deem it to be while also being a part of both communities.
Therefore having time to be introspective without being a host to others as they grapple with our beliefs, lifestyles and choices, is integral to knowing who we are, past the boxes we are placed in.
Like many other Muslims, I choose a cause I can help with for the duration of the month as the foundations of fasting are to also practise the act of being grateful, and to be aware of how much you already have.
This year I want to aid refugee women across the world to have access to basic resources, from sanitary towels to community centres where they can gain friendship as well as aid.
The label of being a Muslim woman can mean you’re either seen to be oppressed or something to be feared so bridging a bond with those who have already endured traumatic experiences is just as important as delving into our pockets to help.
Ramadan is a chance to focus on unlearning whatever trait you’ve picked up in the past 12 months, whether that’s overthinking (I’m raising my hand to this) or feeling perpetually lost and without a purpose.
For those who are fasting for the first time or those who are simply interested, Ramadan helps to push your body, mind and will power. Realising how much you can do when you step out of the humdrum of everyday life can be empowering.
Regardless of what your faith may be, these 30 days call for us to see a bigger picture and put ourselves in other people’s shoes. That empathy is sometimes exactly what we all need.
Let’s face it – we love pizza because of the cheese.
There’s something about the gooey, melty, stretchiness of pizza cheese that makes it irresistible.
So adding more cheese to a pizza can only be a good thing. And we’re not talking about a four cheese pizza – no, no. Things have evolved far beyond that.
You can now buy a 41-cheese pizza – and it is everything we have ever dreamed of.
That’s right, 41 different cheeses on a single pizza. Sign us up immediately.
In honour of the Eurovision Song Contest (the world’s cheesiest event), SpareRoom have launched the delightfully decadent Eurovision Pizza, featuring a cheese from every nation that takes part in the competition.
The pizza is free as long as stocks last (Picture: SpareRoom)
Among this melted medley are Azerbaijan Kajmak Travnik, Cypriot Halloumi, Latvian Talsu Ritulis Green, French Camembert, Dutch Gouda, Spanish Manchego, Swiss Emmental and British Wensleydale.
‘Eurovision parties are popular in flatshares all over the UK and pizza is the ultimate sharing food,’ says Matt Hutchinson, communications director at SpareRoom.
‘So what better excuse to celebrate cheesiness in all its forms.
‘We hope by creating a unique pizza featuring cheeses from all 41 nations taking part, we can give flatmates the cheesiest Eurovision parties ever and a showstopper of a meal they’ll be talking about for a long time.’
Every cheese on the Eurovision pizza
Albania Kaçkavall style cheese Armenia Chechil Cheese Braid Australia Extra Mature Cheddar Austria Austrian Smoked Cheese Azerbaijan Kajmak Travnik Belarus Quark Belgium Pie d’Angloys Croatia Paski sir Cyprus Halloumi Czech Republic Korbaciky unsmoked Denmark Castello Danish Blue Estonia Andre style cheese Finland Leipäjuusto style cheese France Camembert Georgia Jaunpils Sulguni Germany Beechwood German Smoked Greece Epiros Greek Feta Hungary Randolder style cheese Iceland Skyr yoghurt Ireland Cashel Blue style cheese Israel Tal Haemek style cheese Italy Parmigiano Reggiano Latvia Talsu Ritulis Green Lithuania Luksiu Suris North Macedonia Kashkavel style cheese Malta Gbjena style cheese Moldova Rossiyskiy Montenegro Pljevaljski style cheese Netherlands Gouda Norway Jarlsberg Poland Mlekpol Krolewski Z Kolna Portugal Queijo Azeitao Quinta Do Anjo Dop Simões Romania Branza Burduf Russia Salt Smoked ‘braid’ Kosichka style cheese Serbia Bryndza San Marino Auricchio Mild Provolone Slovenia Trnic style cheese Spain Manchego Sweden Åseda Gräddost Switzerland Emmental United Kingdom Wensleydale
For Eurovision-loving cheese enthusiasts, a limited run of the ‘Quarantuno Formaggi’ will be available from 12.30pm-5pm and 6pm-10pm on the evening of the contest, the 18th May, at London pizzeria Baz and Fred’s.
That’s a whole lot of cheese (Picture: SpareRoom)
The pizzas will be completely free, and available to order in person or online for delivery via Deliveroo on a first come, first served basis, until they sell out.
Penis lengthening treatments pose a lot of risks (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Getting surgery or fillers to enlarge your penis simply isn’t worth the risks, suggests new research.
A review reveals that penis enlargement procedures ‘don’t work’ and are ‘ineffective and risky’, posing the risks of physical and psychological damage when carried out.
Risked complications include permanent numbness, low sexual satisfaction, difficulty getting and maintaining an erection, deformity, and shortening of the penis (yep, penis enlarging procedures could make your member smaller than before).
Overall, most men who undergo penis lengthening procedure aren’t satisfied with the results.
Gordon Muir, a urologist at King’s College Hospital and the lead researcher of the study, said the procedures should ‘almost never be done’.
‘They can cost up to £30,000 or even £40,000, often the man ends up with a penis that is disfigured and there is no more than 20% satisfaction rates with these procedures,’ said Gordon.
The main issue with these surgeries and treatments is that there’s not enough evidence to suggest they produce the results they promise.
In this review, researchers looked at 17 previous studies that assessed 21 different types of procedure performed on 1,192 men. The most common types of penis enlarging treatments were the use of dermal fillers and a surgery called suspensory ligament incision.
Overall the outcomes of these treatments weren’t great.
New research says these surgeries and treatments deliver unsatisfying results (Picture: Ella BYworth for Metro.co.uk)
Researchers want their findings to urge a change, with any men who want to undergo penis-related treatments needing to be informed of all the potential problems that can occur. They also urge men to undergo a full psychological assessment before they’re able to have a surgery or cosmetic treatment done.
Previous research noted the severe risks of penile enlargement treatments.
A team of researchers analysed 11 patients between the ages who had suffered complications in penis enlarging procedures performed before 2016.
They found a long list of complications that can arise from penis enlargement treatments that are often considered fairly safe, such as injectables and implants.
Those complications included penile skin gangrene, penile shaft swelling and deformity, severe swelling of the scrotum, ulcers on the shaft, and severe shortening.
Most of the patients required corrective surgery, which included areas of the penis being split or stripped away.
In one case, a 48-year-old man had fat injected under the skin on his penis, which caused swelling so severe his penis looked like a potato. To correct this the skin had to be sliced below the head and the skin peeled back like a banana so the fat could be removed.
Another patient had silicone injections in his penis, which led to severe swelling of his scrotum. This forced his penis to become buried beneath a layer of skin.
One patient developed an infection that led to one of his testicles being surgically removed.
Four of the men surveyed had performed the enlargement procedures themselves, either for aesthetic or sexual reasons, and injected themselves with silicone, saline, fat, or soft tissue.
The authors wrote in their study: ‘Penile enlargement surgeries are often promoted and presented as safe with minimal risks, yet we have seen the risks are significant.
‘Instead of risking the potentially detrimental complications of penile enhancement surgery, men with normal penile size and anatomy may experience benefit from less risky alternatives.
‘There is a very real potential for devastating and long-lasting complications.’
But we have some sad news: Not all Boots stores will be stocking Rihanna’s makeup line.
The Boots near our office, for example, won’t be selling Fenty Beauty products, so we can’t do a massive haul on our lunch break. Truly heartbreaking.
So, which Boots shops will let you get your Fenty Fix? We’ve popped a full list below for you to peruse. Cross your fingers and hope it’s one of your locals as you scroll.
Basically, you’ve got a lot of options, even if our dreams of swatching every product on the way home have been dashed.
Fenty Beauty launches in Boots today, 10 May, which is glorious timing as Rihanna’s also just launched a bunch of new products, including the Getting Hotter collection (bright lip colours and eyeliners) and the brand’s first ever lip balm.
The lip balm, called the Pro Kiss’r Luscious Lip Balm, is made with shea and mango butters and offers a subtle gloss. The Pro Kiss’r Lip-Loving Scrubstick is – as the name suggests – a scrub in a stick form, made with apricot seeds that gently exfoliate the lips.
The idea is that you use the products to prep your lips and make them plump, smooth, and moisturised so they’re the perfect base for Fenty lip colour, whether you opt for a Stunna lip paint or a matte lipstick.
The Getting Hotter collection, meanwhile, introduces seven new super-pigmented lipsticks, called Poutsicles, with classic Fenty names including Purpsicle, Sun Snatched, Alpha Doll, Go Deep, Tropic Tantrum, Motorboat, and Hot Blooded.
The colours are all pretty punchy, ranging from light blue to bubblegum pink, and all have a satin finish.
The collection also includes three eyeliner trios; Baewatch, Baeside, and Baecay (we’re sensing a theme), which Rihanna has been sneakily wearing for a few weeks.
The liners are liquid, super bright, and have an extra fine precision brush so you can create a cat eye sharp enough to kill.
But have you ever pondered dunking a chicken nugget in there too? Or crumbling one into your ice cream?
Don’t worry, you don’t have to endure the dirty looks of other McDonald’s goers as you smuggle those bits of chicken inside a McFlurry cup, as someone’s gone ahead and made the marriage of nuggets and ice cream official.
Rolled ice cream store XXI ICE, in Ireland, has just debuted a snazzy new chicken nugget ice cream flavour.
To make the tasty (?) treat, chicken nuggets are chopped into cream before rolling to infuse your dessert with chicken and batter. Once the ice cream is rolled and served, full-size McDonald’s chicken nuggets are popped on top.
The shop shared a video of the new flavour on Instagram, where reactions have been mixed.
‘That’s class, love the creativity,’ wrote one fan.
Another wrote: ‘My chicken nuggets how dare u.’
Basically, you’ll either think this creation is blasphemous against the goodness of McNuggets and should be banned, or you’ll want it in your mouth right away.
We don’t think McDonald’s has officially approved chicken nugget ice cream, and we doubt they’ll add it to their own menu, so you’ll need to venture to Ireland to have a taste.
Or just find your nearest rolled ice cream shop (there’s one in Westfield. Remember the ‘ice cream shagger’?), bring along your own nuggets, and ask for them to be chopped in. Ignore the judgement in their eyes. Just make sure you don’t add ketchup or ‘peel’ your nuggets before eating them.
This isn’t the most horrifying ice cream flavour XXI has created, mind you. They’ve also sold ice cream with crushed up Skips, and a Tayto Cheese and Onion flavour. Blegh.
A tote bag with a rather risqué design has been spotted online, leaving shoppers in hysterics.
The bizarre item feature images of loads of different animals – all getting down and dirty.
The images of the mating creatures are dotted among images of foliage – and, at first glance, it looks like an innocent, jungle-themed pattern.
It’s only on closer inspection that you can really see what’s going on – and customers are understandably confused by the odd choice.
The controversial shopping bag, made by Australian accessories company La La Land, depicts different wild animals mating – including zebras, elephants, monkeys and flamingos.
The bag is described as a ‘cheeky fun everyday bag to stand against the ordinary’, and one shopper posted a picture of the bag online with the caption; ‘Need a new shopping bag?! Might need to do a double take!’
It’s like dirty Noah’s Ark (Picture: Myer)
The post has received hundreds of comments online, some find the bag hilarious, but others are offended and have labelled the design ‘wrong’.
‘No way. That’s just wrong… funny but wrong. I pity the person in sales who approved this one,’ said one person.
‘You’d have to be humping mad to buy this bag,’ added another.
While another person said that the design depicted a ‘jungle orgy’.
‘I love all the artworks we produce and I would buy them all however a lot may not be suited to my personal style,’ writes La La Land’s creative director Elie Azzi on the company’s site.
‘In the gift industry, we have to think about both our customer and the end user (the recipient of the gift).
‘In this perspective we have to always think about our customers while we choose themes and styles that would make the recipient happy.’
So if you want to spice up your next trip to the shops – this tote bag could be just the thing. But be prepared for some raised eyebrows.
We all know that seven to eight hours is the recommended kip we should be getting in every night, according to the NHS. Getting any less than five hours regularly is associated with not-so-cool things like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.
But getting our much-needed shut-eye isn’t always as easy as it sounds – and getting to sleep (or getting back to sleep if you wake up) – can often be the hard bit.
According to research conducted by Leeds University and Silentnight, more than a quarter of us are suffering from dangerously low levels of the slumber stuff.
So how can we get more?
Sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, has revealed how simply giving yourself a hug when you’re bedding down at night can help you get a deep and restorative night’s sleep.
‘It’s something many of us more than likely do without even realising,’ Dr Ramlahkan says.
The key to this simple technique lies in feeling safe.
‘Feeling safe and relaxed before bed is the fundamental component to a good night’s sleep, and hugging yourself for at least one minute while in bed is the trick to feeling settled,’ according to Dr Ramlakhan.
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
When we hug another person our brains release feel-good hormones, like oxytocin and serotonin. These hormones support feelings of trust and faith which, in turn, leads us to feeling safe and secure.
But you don’t only get these hormones when hugging other people. The same effect can come from giving yourself a good squeeze before you nod off.
Dr Ramlakhan explains you ‘Simply place your right hand under your left armpit, and place your left arm over your right arm, with your left hand gently but firmly resting on your right shoulder. Focus on breathing deeply, relax and you’ll be asleep within the minute.’
The whole thing goes back to our fight-or-flight mode. If we’re on alert then we enter survival mode and our bodies will fight sleep. We often beat ourselves up, as we lie awake, for not being able to get to sleep when we need it.
In the doctor’s own words: ‘Don’t think about the sleep you need to get, as this can heighten the feeling of anxiety – too many of us are fixated on the holy grail of eight hours. Instead, consider techniques such as the ‘hugging’ pose, which can help us to drift off easily.’
And, if you’re still having problems drifting off, here’s some more sleeping tips from Dr Ramlakhan:
1. Don’t commute on an empty stomach
So many of us end up having a ‘deskfast’ because it’s convenient and easy to grab something after we’ve got off the train or driven into work. However if you put your body through the stress of a commute on an empty stomach, you could seriously impact the sleep you have that night. This is because the body ends up running on ‘adrenaline energy’ on your way to work which is one of the main factors causing shallow, ‘muddy’ sleep. To achieve deep, restorative sleep, eat breakfast every day and within 30 minutes of rising.
2. Stop aimlessly looking at your phone
When we get an alert on our phone the brain mentally responds, so even if the message is nothing significant we end up continuing to look at our phones, mindlessly following links on the internet and waking our brain up even more. It might be a tough habit to break but if you’re serious about sleeping better you need to stop looking at your phone at least an hour before you go to sleep.
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
3. Drink alkaline water
If you’re already drinking the recommended two litres of water a day and you want to take it to the next level, try adding a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of sea salt to alkalise the water. The body functions optimally at an alkaline PH of 7.35, so hydrating with alkaline water helps our body to work properly, transmitting messages and enabling our physiological processes, including getting a really good night’s sleep.
4. Think about the half life of caffeine
We all know that cutting down on caffeine will help with sleep issues but very few of us think about the half life of the coffee or tea we’re drinking. The half life of caffeine is five hours which means if you have a drink at 5pm you will still have half that amount in your blood supply by 10pm. You probably won’t feel energised by 10pm but the caffeine is still in your system and it’s enough to stop you sleeping well.
