Even if you feel like you are the ‘best’ – maybe find another word (Picture: Ella Byworth)
Thanks to the uncertain state of the world and the economy, you might have found yourself back on the job market in the last few weeks.
If that is the case, then you will need to make sure your CV and applications are as polished as can be, because competition is going to be stiff – more than 1,000 people recently applied for one restaurant job in Manchester.
So, how do you make sure you stand out from the crowd? What you don’t include on your CV might be even more important than what you do.
And there are certain buzzwords that are instant turn-offs for managers. So it’s really important to know what they are.
Resume.io consulted 562 hiring managers across several industries in the UK, to discover the commonly used words on CVs they most dislike.
The study found that ‘best’ is the word that employers most hate seeing on a CV, with 76% agreeing. The word indicates a strong ego and sense of self-importance.
71% of hiring managers are not a fan of candidates using the word ‘motivated’ on their CV. With nearly 4,000 uses of the word on CVs from Resume.io’s database, applicants might fare better with alternative options such as ‘driven’ or ‘goal oriented’.
The CV buzzwords hiring managers hate the most
Best – 76%
Motivated – 71%
Dedicated – 69%
Proven – 65%
Excellent – 54%
Hardworking – 43%
‘Dedicated’ (69%) and ‘proven’ (65%) are other words that a significant proportion of employers disapprove of on CVs.
Given that a lot of individuals (4,207) are crediting some of their skills and accolades as ‘excellent’, they might be better off not doing so – as 54% of hiring managers don’t like the adjective on a CV.
On the other end, 43% of employers would prefer it if candidates didn’t use the cliché ‘hardworking’ to define their work ethic.
How to cut down on buzzwords on your CV
Don’t overstate
It is a competitive job market, so you might feel the need to describe your skills better than they are.
But saying you are ‘great’ at a skill when you are only at a ‘good’ level is only going to cause you grief. Especially, if you get a job and your employer sees you’re not as great as you claimed to be.
Don’t be over-reliant on adjectives
Having a text-heavy CV does not automatically make you a better candidate, it’s all about quality over quantity.
So, don’t feel the need to pack your CV with as many flattering adjectives as possible. Use them where you think they will truly give you a competitive advantage.
Give examples of achievements
It’s easy just to list a ton of skills without any evidence and in doing so, an employer might wonder if you are just making it up.
So, instead of pinning all your hopes on buzzwords to solely boost your skills, use results and achievements from past professional and personal experiences to showcase those ‘excellent communication skills’, ‘proven sales record’ and ‘great team-working skills’.
‘In a turbulent job market, candidates need to do everything possible to make themselves unique,’ says Menno Olsthoorn, a spokesperson from Resume.io.
‘To do so, they need to break away from the exhausted buzzwords that tend to overwhelm their CV as well as those of competing applicants.
‘This research highlights the commonly used buzzwords that British employers can’t stand seeing on CVs. Whilst they might take issue with some words more than others, individuals are encouraged to give examples of their achievements as opposed to just using buzzwords and stating skills.
‘If they can get into the habit of doing this, they will become a much more desirable proposition to potential employers.’
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.
Zahra found boxing after struggling with postnatal depression (Pictures: Tom P Morley/Caters)
Britain’s first amateur boxing coach to train while wearing a hijab was told by cruel strangers told her she brought ‘shame’ on her community.
Zahra Butt, from Aspley, Nottinghamshire, took up boxing when she was diagnosed with postnatal depression – and became hooked on the sport.
But the Muslim mum of three, who runs classes especially designed to help victims of domestic abuse, didn’t want to remove her hijab to train – and says she was inundated with cruel comments.
Zahra, 40, has now ditched her teaching career to become a full-time coach – and says the number of positive messages she receives help her to ignore the haters.
‘I have had a lot of discrimination because of my headscarf, people have been saying it brings shame into the community – it’s really bizarre, when you do something outside the norms some people feel like they should judge you,’ says Zahra.
‘Initially it was really upsetting, very hurtful, it made me reevaluate everything and it put me in a position where I questioned whether I wanted to keep doing everything and whether I was doing the right thing or not.
‘It had a deep emotional impact on me and my well-being – it caused a lot of problems as well as my family believed I put myself at risk for something that inevitably wasn’t worth my peace of mind.’
Zahra trains women who have experienced domestic abuse (Picture: Tom P Morley/Caters)
Zahra says that for every negative comment she has had, she has had hundreds of positive comments, so she tries to focus on these.
‘I try not to let people’s opinions bring me down,’ she explains.
‘I wanted to run classes for women because if it helped me, I knew it would help other women to boost their confidence and have a positive impact on their mental health.
‘It still has the image of being a rough sport- I think people are just picturing me going into street fights.
‘When I tell people I am into boxing they ask me: “Why would you be into boxing, you’re such a nice person?”
‘It is definitely still seen as a man’s sport by a lot of people.’
‘I found boxing really therapeutic, I loved how it challenged me’ (Picture: Tom P Morley/Caters)
Zahra has used her position to become an advocate for domestic violence and stalking victims and is helping women all over the country.
Her sessions include a combination of boxing and life coaching, helping women gain back their confidence – at the moment, she is doing one-to-one classes and plans to begin group sessions on Zoom for the duration of the lockdown.
‘I had put on weight after having children and was suffering from postnatal depression,’ explains Zahra, looking back on how she got in to the sport.
‘I got to a point where I knew I had to change something about my life and what I was doing, so I thought I’d use my time to exercise and get fit. I started working out on a cross trainer at home and started to lose weight – but after a while it was getting boring so I thought I’d try something different and challenging.
‘I found boxing really therapeutic, I loved how it challenged me, I liked the mix of cardio and weights. I got addicted, it became something I did every single day.
‘What made me like boxing at first was the fact that the first time I met a coach, I could tell by the look on his face he was thinking I probably couldn’t do it.
‘The lockdown has really affected my mental health’ (Picture: Tom P Morley/Caters)
‘I’m sure he was thinking: “she’s not going to go through with it.”
‘Seeing somebody who thought I couldn’t do it made me want it even more – I’ve always been that type of person.
‘I felt that he was thinking I wouldn’t last the whole duration of the training and I was out of place.
‘Boxing also gave me an identity, made me realise I wasn’t happy at my teaching career and I wanted to do something else. I was never really interested in the technique, I enjoyed it to get fit and healthy and challenge my body and mind.’
In 2014, Zahra became the only coach wearing a hijab, to qualify with the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) and a qualified health coach.
Even after being diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis, Zahra hasn’t given up and she continues to support women through workshops, campaigning and podcasts.
While the lockdown is still ongoing, Zahra has started a 2.6 challenge, running 6K daily for 26 days while fasting, in an attempt to raise funds for Paladin, a national stalking charity.
‘I wanted to highlight how much domestic abuse and stalking can affect someone’s life’ (Pictures: Tom P Morley/Caters)
‘The lockdown has really affected my mental health,’ says Zahra. ‘I was feeling trapped inside and I just started walking – then I came up with the idea of doing the challenge.
‘I wanted to highlight how much domestic abuse and stalking can affect someone’s life, we often don’t get to hear what’s actually happened. I do this for myself and to inspire and motivate other people. I do it for people who don’t have that opportunity.
‘My children have been my rock through all this, they are so proud of me and very supportive.
‘Because running is not my thing, sometimes I stall, I say; “let me do this chore first”, but my children are always there saying, “no mum, leave it, you‘ll do it after!”
‘It has been challenging and many times I think to myself; “why did you do this?” but I realise it’s my lower self trying to keep me down, but I get motivated again and do it.
‘It’s very important to keep getting exercise, it makes such a change to our mindset and our mental health.’
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.
Nando’s in back in business after a long old lockdown. They’re also surprising us with a brand new flavour on their spice menu.
The PERI-ometer will have the new addition of coconut and lemon available for a limited time, so you can change up your usual order.
In place of passion fruit and mango, coconut and lemon is said to have a medium spice level with a unique flavour apparently inspired by Mozambican food.
The spice UK restaurants for eat-in, delivery, and click and collect, and as always you can have it on your veggie options as well as your chicken.
There’s no specific date that this flavour will be leaving us, but the passion fruit and mango that’s now been cruelly cast aside came out in early February, so don’t expect to get coconut and lemon for any more than around six months.
We know summer hasn’t quite hit right this year, so this oneâs for you! Introducing our new spice, Coconut & Lemon ð𥥠pic.twitter.com/EtBJCOl3Rq
Nando’s is also participating in the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme, meaning you can get a bargain if you dine on certain days of the week.
The chain is also cutting prices further in line with VAT reductions and adding nationwide delivery to their service. Basically, we can get more chicken in more places for less.
Throughout August, those ordering or eating in at participating restaurants on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday can get their food and non alcoholic drinks half price (with a maximum discount of £10 a head).
Look at that drip (Picture: @wantshowasyoung/Jam Press)
Get ready to stan this fashion-forward couple in their 80s.
Husband and wife duo Wan-Ji Chang, 83, and Sho-Er Hsu, 84, are owners of a laundromat, Wan Sho Laundry, which is located in Taichung City, Taiwan.
The adorable elderly couple sometimes find clothes left behind by customers who don’t return to claim it.
So, Wan-Ji and Sho-Er have a little fun with the items left behind.
The couple enjoys nothing more than playing dress up with whatever they find and the results are often seriously stylish.
In recent weeks, the pair have become Instagram sensations, racking up a whopping 96.7k followers thanks to their hilarious and fashion-forward antics.
Our grandparents could never (Picture: @wantshowasyoung/Jam Press)
The couple said that their various customers have left behind roughly 300 pieces of clothing in nearly 60 years, giving them a whole new wardrobe full of weird and wacky items.
They were inspired to start playing dress-up by their grandson, Reef Chang, 31.
And they didn’t actually realise their hilarious Instagram account had gone viral until they started getting recognised on the street.
Sadly, among the hundreds of pieces of clothing left behind, they are yet to come across any designer labels.
They almost have 100,000 Instagram followers (Picture: @wantshowasyoung/Jam Press)
Grandson Reef explained: ‘There are no designer brands, only vintage thrift clothes.
‘The coolest ones are probably costume clothing. They are very unique to their owner and somehow they forgot to take them back.
‘They must have left for them for some reason and its interesting for my grandparents to discover the stories behind the clothes.’
Reef said he was surprised to see how successful his grandparents were with their recycling antics.
He added: ‘Everyone likes Wan-ji and Sho-Er and when their Instagram account reached 10k followers, the sudden change in our lives was a huge blessing to us and brings energetic vibes into our home and also encourages my grandparents to keep up their faith and motivation in running their laundry shop.’
‘He didn’t warn me that he was about to blow his load – and the whole lot went straight into my eye’ (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Sex. It’s great. We love it. But it’s also a minefield for embarrassing and sometimes painful mishaps.
The good news is that if you’ve ever come a cropper during a romantic romp, you’re not alone. And new research has revealed the most common accidents that happen during sex.
OnBuy’s Adult Department asked 2,544 respondents about the unfortunate events which have happened to them between the sheets (or in other locations).
The results were both hilarious and painfully relatable. Because, let’s be honest, we’ve all been there.
As much as we might like to imagine ourselves as smooth operators in the bedroom, the reality is so often very different. And our clumsiness, awkwardness and lack of balance has a way of killing the mood.
Here are the most common sex accidents, and some funny stories to make you cringe:
Falling off your partner – or the furniture
The most common sex mishap has been revealed to be ‘falling off your partner or furniture’ with 75% of people saying this has happened to them before.
So the best advice is to hold on for dear life, unless you want to take the action to the floor.
A family member walking in on you
Family time is important, but there’s a time and a place. And 71% of people have experienced the last thing you want – a family member has walked in on them having sex.
Emily, 22
‘Having sex with my ex, I restrained him to the bed, I was on top of him having a grand old time – only for his dad to walk in and see us, butt naked, along with his son’s legs and arms pinned to the bed.’
An ‘eye shot’
An ‘eye shot’ is pretty much what it sounds like – an unfortunately aimed ejaculation, which can be incredibly painful.
But it is a really common sex mishap, with 68% of people having experienced an eye shot.
Catherine, 27
‘After a date night with my partner, we came home and, after drinking a nice bottle of wine, started fooling around.
‘After going down on him for a bit, he didn’t warn me that he was about to blow his load – and the whole lot went straight into my eye.
‘If the pain wasn’t enough, I had to face the embarrassment of having my false eyelashes slowly slipping down my face.’
Falling in the shower
Getting clean while getting dirty is great multitasking, but it’s also a lot of fun.
However, it can be treacherous. In fact, 51% of people have admitted to falling in the shower while having sex.
Slipping is not the only problem people can experience while doing bits in the shower. The hot temperature could also make you faint.
Pat, 31
‘Me and my boyfriend decided to have a hot steamy shower together. As we were being intimate, the temperature of the bathroom was going up and up – to the point where I started to feel faint.
‘Not wanting to put my partner off, I sucked it up and carried on, only to nearly pass out a few minutes later. I ended up falling down in the shower – luckily, my boyfriend caught me before I hit the floor!’
Being knocked unconscious
Having sex can take you to another world – especially if you get yourself knocked unconscious, which is exactly what has happened to 5% of unlucky respondents.
It’s not surprising when you consider that sex sometimes involves alcohol, and if you’re having a really good time it is easy to become unaware of the hazards around you:
Olivia, 23
‘I was living it up at uni and I had fancied this guy for a little while. I went out looking like a solid 10, and the boy I fancied thought the same.
‘I took him back to mine and while he was on the bed I drunkenly undressed, thinking I was on the set of Beyoncé – Partition.
‘My bedroom at uni was in the loft with a slanted roof and low bed. I went over to him and tripped over my feet and the bed, which resulted in me head-butting this poor boy in the penis.
‘I reconvened to what I thought were going to be some seriously sexy moves. I was on top of him and went to flick my hair up, and then knocked myself unconscious.’
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.
Mum Viktoria left her nursing job to become a tradwife (Pictures: PA Real Life )
After mum-of-three Viktoria Brandt, 43, became a nursing assistant, she found that juggling long days with caring for her children left only snatched moments with her partner Torbjörn, 50.
In 2015, feeling utterly burnt out, Viktoria, who lives in a small village in south east Sweden, quit her job and reinvented herself as a ‘tradwife’.
The term is used for a growing band of traditional wives, who are homemakers by choice, adhering to old-fashioned gender roles.
On an average day, Viktoria wakes up at 5am or 7am if she wants a lie-in, and gets to work, cleaning, ironing, cooking and baking for the family.
While she says rising at the crack of dawn to cook and clean for her family has been her key to happiness, Viktoria claims people have poured scorn on her choices.
She said: ‘I don’t call myself a feminist, which I have been criticised for, as people seem to think that’s synonymous with being anti-equality.
‘I’m against oppression of all kinds, but I am also all for us being able to make our own decisions.
‘Tradwives like me deserve respect for our life choices, no matter why we’ve chosen to stay at home.’
Tradwives are women who are homemakers by choice (Pictures: PA Real Life )
By 2015, Viktoria felt increasingly exhausted by her job, saying that she had suffered total burnout.
Looking for better balance, she realised she wanted a lifestyle more like that of her grandmothers – who she saw as role models.
She said: ‘My grandmothers were warm women who cared a lot for their families and homes.
‘That is where my love of traditional roles first started to grow. For me, as a young girl, it meant everything.’
So, Viktoria made the decision to ditch work altogether and become a full-time homemaker.
Now, while her family help out with tasks like emptying the dishwasher, walking the dog and whipping up the occasional culinary treat in the kitchen, she does virtually everything else.
She explained: ‘On an average day, I wake up rather early, between 5am and 7am.
‘I always start by making my bed, then I put on the morning coffee. I get myself ready, always in a dress or skirt and blouse.
‘I have a beautiful velvet armchair in my room, where I sit and read for a bit.
‘After that, I start the laundry, then I take out the carpets for a good beating, sweep the floor and clean the kitchen counters.
‘Then, I’ll make breakfast, do some ironing, go grocery shopping and prepare the dinner, or even bake. I rest if I can when I’m tired, but I’m also available 24 hours a day, especially if one of the children isn’t well.’
Viktoria gets up at 5am to start her chores (Pictures: PA Real Life )
Although Viktoria works hard to create domestic bliss, she stresses that her aim is not to keep her home spotless, but rather to create a tranquil environment for her family.
Viktoria’s love of traditional life spills over into the way she dresses, as she always makes sure she is impeccably turned out in a dress, or vintage-style skirt.
Now she documents her day to day life on her blog, The Housewife Diary, and it has attracted readers from all over the world who adore her style as much as her cooking and cleaning tips.
While Viktoria understands that every family is different, she believes that having a mother at home full-time has done wonders for the happiness of her own brood.
She said: ‘I would never say that every woman should stay home, but for my family and myself, it has been crucial.
‘They feel secure when I’m around them, making sure that I always have time to meet their needs, both emotional and practical.’
‘Everyone has the right to live life their own way’ (Picture: PA Real Life)
Viktoria is now keen to dispel misconceptions about the tradwife movement and wants to encourage people to be less judgemental about the way she lives.
She concluded: ‘Everyone has the right to live life their own way and being a tradwife is my true calling.
‘I think the biggest misconception is that some people think we’re against equality. I don’t see how equality and loving care need to be two different things.
‘But we’re living in an open-minded world, so I would like to see a growing acceptance for those who choose a traditional life.’
With the news that we’re all now required to wear masks in retail settings for the foreseeable, people are getting creative with pretty and fun fashion options.
This Aussie mum, however, has shown the fun side to mask wearing with a hilarious TikTok that has other parents in stitches.
36-year-old Emily Rumbold fashioned a jokey mask from a packet of baby wipes, using the lid as a flap with which you can open and drink wine.
On her now-viral TikTok, mum of seven Emily wrote: ‘Doing my bit to stop the spread #stayhome’.
Emily, from Gippsland, Victoria, is seen opening the wine slot and sipping from her glass.
Although we shouldn’t need to point this out, just in case you weren’t sure this is quite clearly a joke. Please don’t assume this would work as an actual mask, and be aware that Emily is not providing an actual tutorial, merely having a laugh at a difficult time.
She told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Without trying to take away the seriousness, I just wanted to have a bit of fun with it.
A woman after our own hearts (Picture: mumdadof7)
‘There’s been a lot of mask videos going around and I thought I’d join in.’
The video has now been watched over 42,000 times, and Emily and her friends have made follow-up TikToks using milk bottles and other household items as masks.
One person commented on the video, ‘This one is the best seen for this trend’, while another said, ‘This is genius’.
It’s a shame we can’t use this as a real mask, because the ingenuity and recycling credentials are right up there with some of the best inventions ever.
My mum had always played the lottery since it began in 1994 (Picture: Ella Byworth)
I woke up on Mother’s Day 2011 and went to my usual 10-4 Sunday shift in a coffee shop.
I was 11 minutes into making lattes and clearing tables, when my manager called me over to say my mum was on the phone, and she wanted to speak with me urgently.
I said ‘hello’, and was met with silence. She could hear me but she just couldn’t get her words out. ‘I’ve won. I’ve got six numbers’, she whispered.
My mum had always played the lottery since it began in 1994. She never thought she would win, nobody ever does – it’s a bit of fun.
It was always her goal to retire early and put her feet up, but for it to actually be possible was beyond her wildest dreams.
I walked out of the café towards the staff room and listened as she told me she had won £2.2million.
It was a work syndicate she organised every week; most people had dropped out after years of playing, but my mum and her best friend kept playing the numbers together. Now they were both millionaires.
I was so shocked; I wanted to go and immediately to see her, and double check the ticket. But I had to get through my entire shift without telling a soul.
I realised when I got home, just how much our family’s lives were about to change, but not in the way I expected.
After graduating a few months later, my mum told me to quit my job. She said she would financially support me, until I had found a career that was related to my degree.
My days were soon filled with long lunches and lavish shopping trips in designer boutiques. I was in my element, I loved spending every day with my best friend. Getting a job didn’t cross my mind for a long time, I was just enjoying extra time with her.
I was happy this had happened to her – yes, I was biased, but I couldn’t think of a more deserving person. She was so generous too; she bought me a brand new car for my birthday that year, and a Chanel handbag for Christmas.
The impact this money has had on our family has been amazing, but it’s also left a trail of damage
I felt like I was on top of the world. She also bought both my siblings cars, and splashed out on a new house for herself, too.
It was a couple of years later when I remember looking at my bank balance, and thinking something had to change.
I was in the red by £2,500, nearly three years after graduating. My day to day spending was finally catching up with me. I never splashed out on big purchases, it was all from lunches, nights out with friends and buying clothes.
But it had all built up because I didn’t have a job. I wasn’t worried when I was spending the money, but seeing that number scared me.
I felt like a failure. I had gone to university, worked hard, but had accomplished nothing with my degree. I decided enough was enough, I had to stop living like I had won too.
Eventually, I got a job handling a recruitment agency’s social media. Since then I’ve worked as a copywriter for many brands, and I’m finally doing a job I always wanted to.
My mum knew I had an overdraft from university, but didn’t know how much debt I had. I never asked her for money to pay it off either, it wasn’t her responsibility, it was mine. I gradually chipped away at it when I started working.
The impact this money has had on our family has been amazing, but it’s also left a trail of damage, too.
Mum’s best friend, who also won, retired in her late 30s and, after splitting with her husband, she had nothing to do and turned to alcohol.
After losing her licence for drunk driving, she became isolated and unfortunately passed away. It shook my mum to her core.
My eldest sibling has also tested my mum beyond her limits. Over the years, my sister has lived outside her means. We’ve had constant family arguments over her constant requests for money.
It comes between them, and has affected their relationship; I would never want that for me and my mum.
I’ve never told her that I am distancing myself from her money, but when I started going for job interviews, or paying for things before she had a chance to, she realised what was happening.
It has taken her a while to get used to me offering, but she’s never fought me on it.
My eldest sibling has also tested my mum beyond her limits (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
It’s more balanced now. If we go out for lunch I’ll treat her, or she’ll get the drinks and I’ll cover the food. We have also set a spending limit for birthdays and Christmas, so she doesn’t go overboard anymore.
Seeing how it has changed our family dynamic has made me extremely wary when it comes to money. The same thrill I used to get from buying a Mulberry handbag, I now get when I see money sitting in my savings account.
I used to walk into a supermarket and pick up whatever I fancied for dinner. Now I’m meal planning and scouring yellow sticker items.
Saving money comes quite easily to my boyfriend and I. We don’t really drink alcohol, and eating out is very rare; we’ve had one too many bad meals I could have made better myself at home.
My relationship with money is better now, I have multiple savings accounts for annual expenses such as insurance, birthdays and Christmas gifts. I’ve also built an emergency fund, which feels like a lottery win in itself sometimes.
I spend money on the necessities, like food and bills, but I no longer feel a pang of guilt when I indulge in my few weaknesses: books and clothes.
Nine years on, nobody outside of our immediate family knows my mum won the lottery; she didn’t want the attention that came with going public.
I will admit, even knowing the damage it can do, I still play the lottery now because I’ve seen how it can change your life for the better. In many ways, it’s the best thing to have ever happened to our family.
If she hadn’t won, my mum would still be working and struggling to make ends meet. She has helped me and my siblings take our first steps on the housing ladder too, giving the three of us £10,000 each to put towards a house deposit.
Without her help it wouldn’t have been possible, and I’m eternally grateful.
I still dream about what I would do if I won the lottery myself. Paying off my mortgage would be my first task, but I would probably give myself a budget to stick to.
I don’t think lightning will strike twice, but if it ever did, I wouldn’t tell anyone.
Do you have a story that you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk
Now that’s innovation (Picture: Vivid Gentleman’s Club/Instagram)
We knew that many things would change post-lockdown. From the ‘death’ of the buffet breakfast to the end of the casual handshake, so many things won’t be the same for a long time.
But you may not have considered how certain industries might have found their own ‘new normal’; like strip clubs.
Where close contact is impossible and many people feel uncomfortable being indoors in group settings, owners have had to come up with new solutions to entertain customers and keep their staff in business.
The Vivid Gentleman’s Club in Houston, Texas, has done just that, with the drive-thru club they’ve recently opened that’s the first of it’s kind in the state.
A similar club in Oregon blazed the trail for Vivid (Picture:Reuters/AP
Punters drive int a white tent and are separated from the dancers with steel barricades. At either side they’ll see their favourite performers dancing, and they’ll have a two song limit before they have to move on.
Dancers can choose whether or not to wear masks, but they’re far enough from the cars that it shouldn’t make too much difference.
Drivers leave their tips on the pavement for the staff to pick up as they move on.
Food can also be ordered as customers watch the show, but unfortunately, because the venue still counts as a bar rather than a restaurant they’re not allowed to open fully – which is where this workaround comes in.
General manager Gino DiLollo told the Houston Chronicle that they aren’t making big money in the current setup, but thought they’d look to other strip clubs in different states’ plans (there’s another drive-thru club in Oregon) and learn from them to keep their staff employed.
He said: ‘Here’s the thing, I think we’re essential to the people we employ here to support their kids and whatnot.
‘They rely on us; this is how they make a living. I do think we’re essential.’
Performer Jada added: ‘I definitely think it’s essential. Everybody needs entertainment, everybody needs their hair done, everyone needs something. And I feel like this is where that comes into play. And we’re doing a good job of keeping it within the limits of what we can do.’
The dress is a recreation of Cardi B’s iconic Met Gala gown (Picture: Mercury Press & Media)
A fashion design student recreated a £200k dress for only £30, using 500 sheets of paper and 120 glue sticks.
Karina Bondareva, 24, from Oundle, Peterborough, was prompted to make the garment in May when American actor and style icon, Billy Porter, challenged his fans to recreate their favourite Met Gala look after the Covid-19 pandemic cancelled the red carpet event this year.
The young designer who is studying at the prestigious fashion school, Central St Martins in London, spent just £30 on materials to reproduce the £200,000 Thom Browne look worn by Cardi B at the event last year.
The original dress took 2,000 hours to accomplish, and was made with tulle, silk organza, 44 carat rubies and 30,000 coque feathers – but creative Karina pulled off her paper copy in just 72 hours with 500 sheets of paper and 120 glue sticks.
‘At first, my parents were skeptical and said; “you’re going to make a dress out of paper, how is that going to work?” says Karina.
‘But when it started to look more finished they started to believe in it and realised how big it was going to be.
‘I knew whatever I was going to make had to be red because all I had was loads of red paper and not enough fabric for a giant gown.
Karina is a fashion design student in London (Picture: Mercury Press & Media)
‘I wanted to make the biggest and flashiest dress that I could and Cardi B’s dress certainly got the most attention, so it made perfect sense to recreate that.
‘I took one look at it and I thought I would love to make that.
‘I started by doing the undercarriage and structure of the dress in clingfilm and then built the rest of the dress out of paper.
‘It’s very warm but I got a few paper cuts putting it on and I can’t walk in it. My parents literally had to dress me.’
As well as creating the incredible gown, Karina also put together a matching headpiece and decorative nails like the ones worn by Cardi B when she debuted the original outfit.
‘I have so many more ideas that I can’t wait to share with the world’ (Picture: Mercury Press & Media)
The duplicate dress won Karina the attention of Billy Porter, who shared it on his Instagram, the Met Museum which hosts the Met Gala, and Vogue, which featured the piece alongside nine other winners out of thousands of entries.
But while beautiful and extravagant, the paper frock was too impractical to wear or store, and so the fashion student has upcycled the entire thing in a piece of wall art – leaving only the headpiece and chest-piece as keepsakes.
Looking ahead to her next project, Karina has big ideas for her final year collection with plans to use the skills she picked up last year – while working under an internship at Saville Row, in the same workshop where famed-designer Alexander McQueen learned how to make suits.
‘I knew whatever I was going to make had to be red because all I had was loads of red paper’ (Picture: Mercury Press & Media)
‘A friend of mine sent me a screenshot of Billy Porter‘s Instagram and I couldn’t believe he had seen it,’ says Karina.
‘I knew when he posted it that hopefully something good was going to come my way and then Vogue asked me for permission to use my photos.
‘But when the Met Museum got in touch with me that was probably even more impressive than Vogue for me, because it has played host and featured so many famous fashion designers’ work over the years.
‘I’m really proud of myself for what I’ve achieved, I’m very ambitious and I have big plans for the future, I have so many more ideas that I can’t wait to share with the world once I graduate.’
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.
This couple decided to do up their own kitchen (Picture: Latestdeals.co.uk)
If you’ve always dreamed of a stunning modern kitchen but could never face spending a fortune on the materials and labour, take inspiration from this amazing couple.
Beverley-Anne Hodge, 47, a skin specialist who owns her own clinic, decided to overhaul her kitchen using IKEA materials with her husband Graham, 53.
The couple, who live in Southampton and have two daughters, were quoted up to £30k to update their 90s-style kitchen from brands including Howdens, Wickes and B&Q.
Realising the quote was too high, the couple decided to do it themselves, saving over £25k in the process.
Beverly-Anne and Graham bought flat pack materials from IKEA and decided to install it all themselves to save on the cost of the project.
Thankfully, Graham is an electro-mechanical engineer so a lot of the DIY work was a breeze.
‘We were considering changing our 90s kitchen for some time and as always, work seemed to get in the way,’ Beverley-Anne told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk.
‘We began with some research, alternative designs and numerous quotations ranging from £12k to £30K.
‘All the companies came out to measure up the kitchen. I explained what I wanted and where I wanted it.’
Before (Picture: Latestdeals.co.uk)
Beverly-Anne continued: ‘The boiler was the biggest concern as I wanted it enclosed. We had eventually decided upon a suitable kitchen for our needs for us to tackle at some point in the near future.
‘We decided to purchase our flat-pack kitchen from IKEA in the end, which offered a huge saving compared to others and with a quality that is just as good.
‘We placed our order and subsequently had to wait for some eight weeks for delivery. I had booked time out of my working schedule to begin work on the kitchen.’
When the couple found themselves in lockdown, they realised it was the perfect opportunity to get on with the project.
Beverly-Anne added: ‘We planned for all the accessories required and it seemed during lockdown we had no trouble sourcing and obtaining what we needed online.
‘There was a great deal of preparation to do, including upgrading plumbing, heavy load wiring, adding additional 230V outlets, moving outlets, plastering, painting, papering, trims, and more.
‘The day finally came when just a blank canvas of a kitchen remained, so the build began.’
After (Picture: Latestdeals.co.uk)
Beverley-Anne and Graham were absolutely delighted with the stylish finish of their kitchen and felt a sense of pride that they had managed to do it all themselves during the lockdown.
‘For those who would long for a beautiful kitchen, the thought is often discarded because of installation costs,’ Beverley-Anne added.
‘Our advice is to do it yourself, or at least try – it really isn’t that difficult to assemble the cabinets.
‘I can understand the need for electricians and plumbers, however, our existing kitchen was in poor condition and not everyone will have the same issues.
Lockdown provided the perfect opportunity to get to work (Picture: Latestdeals.co.uk)
‘That said, we saved at least £6k by taking on the challenge ourselves, and due to lockdown we had it pretty much completed within three weeks.
‘For people who simply want to refresh their kitchen, I would recommend changing the doors and the counter surface. Laminated particleboard is not expensive at all and makes for a super job.
‘It will give you a great sense of pride and satisfaction that you did it all yourself!’
Baby names have definite trends. For example, names typically associated with older people towards the end of the 20th century (like Ethel and Alfred) made a huge comeback ones the noughties hit.
Some people also take inspiration from films, TV, or other cultural markers. There was a huge surge in Elsas after Frozen graced the silver screen.
So why not find your inspo from a brand? Especially if you’re a fan of a luxury fashion house, it’s not the maddest thing in the world to want an upmarket name for your little one.
As you can imagine, couture houses rank up top. There are a few household brands that make the top tens, to, such as Nivea and Estee.
Jewellery Box did add: ‘We excluded common names that may be associated with brands. For example, while Hugo Boss is one of the brands we looked at, we did not look at the name Hugo as it is a popular name in its own right; rather, we looked at the name Boss which is more commonly associated with the brand.’
They also looked at names in the US in a separate study, and while the results are largely the same, there were 283 girls called Maybelline, 198 girls called Dove, and 734 boys called Monolo.
Gyms are back! But they won’t be exactly the same (Picture: Getty)
Tomorrow is the long-awaited date for fitness fans. After many long months, gyms are finally reopening.
No more using tins of beans for weights, or waking up the whole house doing burpees in the living room.
But, you might not want to rush straight back to it without some careful consideration. Gym environments will be different, and so will your body’s capabilities.
It’s more important than ever to be safe in the gym, both in terms of the social distancing and hygiene, but also in terms of easing yourself back into fitness safely.
The expert team at www.Biofreeze.co.uk have offered their top tips on how to stay safe when gyms do reopen – so you can get back to your best as soon as possible:
Not only will changing and showering at home reduce the time you’re in the gym, it will also reduce any chances of cross-contamination.
Be sure to jump in the shower as soon as you get home and pop your workout clothing straight in the washing.
Get to know the new gym layout
It is likely that some equipment will have been removed or relocated within the gym to allow for enough space between those working out.
Have a look around as soon as you arrive to get to know where everything now is to prevent wandering around aimlessly.
Also, be sure to locate all cleaning products upon entering the gym so you know where to go, what’s available and what to use.
If you’re not sure, the staff within the gym will be more than happy to help.
Get familiar with the new rules at your gym (Picture: Getty)
Keep your towel for your face and body only
Everyone is sweating and panting in the gym, and many carry their own towels – both to wipe themselves down and to wipe equipment down with. Your towel should only be used on your person.
Use separate items to clean down any equipment and machinery after use such as antibacterial wipes or towel.
And, of course, dispose of them after each and every use.
Consider booking onto classes
Classes aren’t for everyone – many prefer weight sessions or working out alone within the gym – but classes are going to be one of the safest spots within gyms when they reopen.
Class sizes will be reduced to allow for adequate workout space and they will also have their own equipment – so when the gym is busy, you know that you’ll not only get a good workout but also be using the relevant equipment to aid you.
Pay attention to your breathing
As we said before, everyone sweats and pants within the gym, that’s a given – but now is the best time to learn to get your breathing under control.
Not only will it help to reduce contamination within the air, it will also allow you to have a more targeted and controlled workout.
In through your nose, out through your mouth. Make deep, small breaths so that you don’t open your mouth wide when breathing out and aim your face downwards, where safe to do so, instead of out into the rest of the gym.
Keep your distance
It’s not uncommon to have people standing nearby while you’re working out in the gym, by way of saying they’re next in line for the equipment that you’re working on.
This isn’t going to be possible for the foreseeable, with social distancing guidelines recommending a distance of between 1 to 2 metres.
Instead of lingering, waiting for a machine or piece of equipment to become free, look around and see what else might be free that you can work with.
Take care of your body
Be sure to properly stretch before and after a workout.
Yes, they take time, but they’re imperative to a good and safe workout.
Tips for being safe when you start working out again
Chances are you’re eager to get back in the gym to train, yet may still have a few concerns.
You may also be surprised to know that it’s not only the Covid precautions that need consideration.
A lot will want to go full bore the second they step foot inside, this is unwise. It’s going to be easy to do too much, and the price will be injury.
To prevent injury you’ll find six tips to help you reignite the training fires that have lain dormant since the end of March.
1 – Limit your working sets to 2-3 in the first few sessions (so 2-3 set of 8-12 reps, as an example)
2 – Don’t aim to have a pool of sweat collect beneath you on CV equipment
3 – Apply a good 10-15min of mobility to each session before weights/cardio
4 – Be sure to ask for help from staff if you’re unsure of something (form wise etc)
5 – Don’t be in a rush to ‘get back’ the fitness you may have lost, it will return with time/consistency
6 – Leave the gym feeling stronger than you entered it, build on this each session little by little.
No matter how physically active you were before Covid-19, it’s likely that you’ve found motivation may have been lacking or just that you’re unable to do your usual workouts and therefore have had to reduce your physical output.
With this in mind, you’re going to have taken a setback and it’s important to accept this.
Don’t go back to the gym and assume you can lift the weights you were once lifting, or that you can run on the treadmill for quite as long as you could beforehand.
Start small and build yourself back up. If not, there’s a very good chance that you will pick up an injury.
Listen to your body
You will likely feel sore for the first few days or weeks after returning to the gym, so listen to your body.
Yes, in many instances you’re advised to push through DOMS and get back into the gym, but you will know better than anyone what your body can and can’t take. Listen to it in order to avoid and injury.
Cold-therapy products are great to keep on hand in case you do pick up small injuries, assisting with the pain that go hand in hand with them, such as sprains, strains and muscle pulls.
Experts are warning that as gyms reopen, fitness-related injuries are expected to spike.
Experts at MyVitalMetrics have provided tips on how to ease yourself back into your workout routines and lower your risk of injury:
Owen Hutchins, founder and fitness expert from MyVitalMetrics, suggested these four adaptations:
Transfer your workouts back to the gym gradually
The potential for higher resistances and weights at the gym is far greater than most home workouts, so you should allow time to see how your body is adapting to them.
If you were working out 3x per week at home, for the first week just transfer one workout to the gym and complete the other two at home.
In the second week you can take two at the gym, and one at home, and in the third week you’ll be comfortable at the gym. This progression allows your body to adapt to the new routine more slowly and also ensures that you keep the habit you’ve spent months building up.
Start small and build yourself back up (Picture: Getty/EyeEm)
Take what you used to do in one workout – both the weight lifted, and the number of sets and reps – and reduce by at least 1/3.
Your body has changed over lockdown and it may take a few workouts to gain back the muscle memory and strength it once had. If you’ve not been active, it may take a bit longer as your body would have lost muscle.
If you’ve not been active during lockdown; start with a single workout at the gym in the week, then add a second workout the following week and so on till you have your planned number of workouts.
Be prepared to be flexible with your workout plan
Under the new rules, your gym may not be the place you left in March – some equipment may be closed off or moved to aid social distancing; you may be time limited; you may be required to thoroughly clean each piece of equipment you use; you might be limited to a single area.
All of these can be frustrating to those who like to go with a plan, so mentally prepare yourself for an unfamiliar environment.
While in the gym, write down the equipment you can’t use from your previous workout plan and think about replacement exercises.
Using YouTube or any useful fitness websites, you can easily find some simple alternatives to your usual routine.
Try not to change too much else
Going back to the gym itself is a big shake-up for the body, so try to limit any other shakeups – try to keep your diet consistent, get plenty of rest and plenty of water.
Also try to keep a hold of whatever good habits you were able to eke out over lockdown. If that meant you went on an outdoor walk everyday – try to keep this up, not only will it keep you doing some light activity, it’s great for your mental health as well.
Take a baseline measurement
You should go into the new routine knowing where you are. Whether that’s analysing your weight, circumference measurements or (ideally) bodyfat percentage – its crucial.
This is so that in the future you can look back and see how much the gym routine has done for you.
This will not only keep you motivated in your fitness journey, but also make you aware of what areas of the to target in your routines.
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.
A man from Durham has been receiving mystery packages from Amazon – despite not even having an account with them .
Peter Jackson, 76, keeps being sent rubber ducks from the online retailer, receiving dozens of them during the past few weeks.
As well as the series of rubber ducks, Peter has also received a packet of cheese crackers and a dog bone.
He also says Amazon have been unable to provide any answers over the mystery deliveries due to ‘customer confidentiality.’
After quizzing his friends and family who aren’t playing a prank on him, Peter is stumped as to why he keeps receiving the deliveries.
Peter, who has lived in his home in Ushaw Moor for four years, said nothing like this has happened in the past.
While the dog bone might be appreciated, as Peter does have a pet, the rubber ducks – of which there are now nine – don’t really serve a purpose for the pensioner.
At least the dog bone is useful (Picture: North News & Pictures Ltd)
‘I thought nothing more of it, thought it was just a mistake with Amazon, then the next day another duck arrived, and they kept coming everyday,’ he told The Northern Echo.
‘I’ve now got a total of nine ducks – I don’t even have a bath, I have got a walk-in shower.
‘I don’t really know what’s going on.
‘My step-son got onto Amazon and they said it looks like they are coming from two separate accounts but they couldn’t give names because it’s confidential.’
If it is a practical prank then it’s costing the sender a lot of money.
According to the Amazon website, each Munchkin yellow rubber ducks are currently listed for £2.79, meaning they’ve cost the sender over £25, plus the cost of the other random objects and postage fees.
There has been speculation Peter has fallen victim to a ‘brushing scam’. Brushing involves a manufacturer sending free items to strangers in a bid to boost sales or to create fake five-star reviews for products.
Peter has been sent nine of these (Picture: North News & Pictures Ltd)
But Amazon has since confirmed the mysterious goings-on are not suspicious after doing a bit of digging themselves.
An Amazon spokesman said: ‘We have looked into the matter to ensure there is nothing webbed afoot.
‘Mr. Jackson is not going quackers, someone indeed is sending him rubber ducks. While we can’t reveal the customer’s true feathers, we can assure Mr. Jackson he will not be receiving a “bill”.’
Peter’s family is entertained by the whole thing.
He added: ‘It’s become a big laugh, they just can’t believe it. I keep telling them another duck has arrived and they can’t believe it.’
Imagine arriving into one of these stunning rooms (Pictures: various/metro.co.uk)
We’re finally able to start travelling again, so our wanderlust levels are off the charts.
When we’re not scrolling for new bikinis and sunglasses, we’re staring at beautiful destinations on Instagram.
And one thing that really gets us excited is hotel rooms.
There’s nothing like the feeling of walking into a perfectly laid out hotel room and knowing that it is your home for the next few nights.
There is a special feeling of exquisite luxury that comes with truly special hotel rooms – something that you just can’t recreate when you’re in an apartment or BnB. It just feels as though your every heart’s desire will be taken care of.
Bed specialist Time4Sleep has been looking into some of the most enviable hotel rooms across the world just so you can start daydreaming about your picture perfect getaway. And, of course, think of the ‘likes’.
The team analysed Google search data from the world’s 100 most lavish hotels to find the top 10, before taking to Instagram to find out just what you can expect when staying in some of the most luxurious bedrooms across the globe.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next adventure, look no further.
Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Warsaw
Very grand (Picture: Hotel Bristol)
Warsaw, Poland is an increasingly popular city break destination and this iconic hotel with its opulent bedroom receives 103,000 Google searches each month and is situated on the Royal Route, a short stroll from the Old Town.
Borgo Egnazia, Savelletri di Fasano, Italy
Cosy and luxurious (Picture: Borgo Egnazia)
As one of the top romantic destinations in the world, it’s no wonder that Italy is also home to one of our favourite luxury hotels.
The Borgo Egnazia Hotel receives 49,000 average monthly searches and, with its stunning white interiors and idyllic traditional architecture, it’s a dreamy couples’ getaway.
Sol y Luna, Sacred Valley, Peru
We love the rich, warm colours (Picture: Sol y Luna)
If you’re looking for a luxurious night’s stay surrounded by stunning nature and wildlife, Sol y Luna in Peru which receives 45,700 average monthly searches, is the perfect place for your next adventure.
Each cosy house is its own sleep sanctuary in the heart of the Sacred Valley with interiors inspired by the peaceful and sustainable culture in which it sits.
Turtle Island Resort, Fiji
So much space and light (Picture: Laura Pittman)
Nested in Fiji’s Yasawa Islands, Turtle Island is a 500-acre private retreat offering the most authentic and picturesque experience to just 14 couples at a time.
Each couple is given their very own private beach, dedicated concierge and beautifully romantic suite with breathtaking views.
With around 45,700 monthly searches, you can see why people are keen to know more about Turtle Island Resort.
Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California
Drink in that view (Picture: Post Ranch Inn)
If you’re looking for the ultimate relaxing stay, surrounded by incredible views as far as the eye can see, look no further.
Post Ranch Inn receives an average of 27,200 monthly searches and is situated on a mountainous area in California, overlooking the stunning Pacific Coast.
The cosy interiors offer comfort and luxury without additional distractions such as televisions, to help you to reconnect.
Rosewood Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Be on the beach in seconds (Picture: Rosewood Mayakoba)
This incredible luxury resort can be found on the Riviera Maya near to the village of Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
With an average of 26,100 monthly searches, it’s a true jungle escape where you can expect to embrace the warm Caribbean breeze and the natural beauty of the tropics.
Accommodation here is indulgent, with private terraces, spacious rooms and sumptuous beds.
Six Sense Laamu, Olhuveli Island, Maldives
There’s blue, and then there’s this (Picture: Six Sense Laamu)
Is there a more idyllic way of waking from your slumber than by looking out onto the great expanse of the Indian Ocean?
At the Six Senses Laamu resort in the Maldives, which receives 19,400 Google searches per month, you can stay in your very own villa on the water, with your own butler tending to your every need.
Cosying-up in this bed is a real taste of paradise and is sure to offer you a great night’s sleep.
Le Meurice, Paris
Positively regal Picture: Le Meurice)
Le Meurice is an iconic hotel in Paris, offering luxury and comfort in the heart of the bustling city, with around 17,700 Google searches each month.
Grand interiors await your arrival and you’ll be sure to enjoy an indulgent stay in with rooms boasting elaborate decor and opulent beds.
Lebua at State Tower, Bangkok
(Picture: Lebua at State Tower)
With spectacular skyscraper views and a breakfast in bed selection that’s fit for a king or queen, Lebua at State Tower in Bangkok is a hotel room you’ll never forget. This five-star luxury hotel sits next to the Chao Phraya River in the heart of the vibrant city of Bangkok.
It receives around 15,400 Google searches every month and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.
Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland, Canada
Modern, quirky and cool (Picture: Fogo Island Inn)
Embrace your artistic side at the Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland, Canada which receives 15,300 Google searches each month.
Situated at one of the four corners of the earth next to the sea, this unique resort prides itself on its modern architecture and breathtaking surroundings.
The quaint, modest bedrooms make for the perfect retreat after a day of adventure, it’s the perfect, tranquil space to relax and appreciate nature.
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.
Hagia Sophia – the historic landmark in Istanbul that has stood in the city for over 1,500 years – has reopened today as a mosque, allowing people to come in and worship.
The place of worship has had a colourful past, originally serving as an Orthodox Christian cathedral before becoming a mosque after the Ottoman conquest.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site was was changed to a museum in 1934, before its status was recently changed again by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier this month.
While it’s an extremely happy moment for people looking forward to praying in such an historic building, there was the issue of what would happen to Gli.
Gli is a cat that lives in and around Hagia Sophia, made famous after a picture of Barack Obama giving him a pet hit the headlines in 2009.
Gli is a sweet grey tabby with crossed green eyes, and although he isn’t the only cat that hangs around the area, he’s definitely a bit of a local celebrity.
A tour guide called Umut Bahceci started an Instagram for the stray, and he now has over 54,000 followers. Some people even apparently come to visit Istanbul simply to see him.
And thankfully, Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for President Erdogan, told Reuters that Gli is allowed to stay despite the changes.
‘That cat has become very famous, and there are others who haven’t become that famous yet,’ he said.
‘That cat will be there, and all cats are welcome to our mosques.’
It’s thought that Gli was actually born at Hagia Sofia, so he and his fans will be delighted that he’ll be able to stay in the place he calls home (along with all his feline friends).
Sex workers would rather just focus on the clients (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
You wouldn’t go to a salon and give your hairdresser a trim, so why would people who use sex workers insist on pleasuring them?
Sex workers who are asked by customers if they would like to be pleasured back are often in a conundrum – a client who focuses too much on them can be more work than those who are there for their own self-pleasure.
If a customer wants to please a sex worker, it can also mean that workers feel pressure to perform their enjoyment rather than just doing their job.
Providers also prefer to keep the interactions about the customer rather than themselves as extra time spent on answering personal questions can be a waste of time and often goes unpaid.
We spoke to some sex workers about what they want clients to know – particularly ones who are keen to ‘give back’.
Many mentioned that instead of receiving sexual pleasure, they would prefer a different kind of joy: timely payments, no haggling, no personal questions, no danger.
Gabby
‘I would love a client to please me. Throw 10 grand on the bed and not make me have sex with him, that sounds AMAZING.
‘But alas, that is my fantasy, not his. We’re paid to make guys enjoy their time. Most guys want to believe that we want to have sex with them. A good provider makes a client believe that she has enjoyed every moment of their encounter. It’s all a fantasy.
‘I do appreciate clients that make screening easy, leave little extra tips, and also leave on time or ask to extend the session if possible. Don’t get emotionally attached and act on those feelings. Longer sessions are great. Chatting for a little bit to make me comfortable is a big plus.’
Heather
‘We prefer our clients to follow screening and booking without complaint, don’t haggle prices, be polite, and show up to the appointment on time and freshly cleaned.’
Indy
‘I’ll add leave on time and not ask personal questions (what’s your name, what’s your real job?).’
Penny
‘I can only speak for myself but the clients who actively tried to please me during sessions were always my worst ones! There ends up being more “faking it” I have to do and also, unless you’re also really into it, then chances are it will ruin your experience too because you don’t focus on yourself.
‘Put it like this, you don’t go to your hairdresser and try to cut their hair. You allow them to do their job, use their expertise and pamper you.
‘I’d much prefer you just tell me what you enjoy and we can go from there. Both of us are more likely to have a good time and also not waste time.
‘Worst thing for me was having a client leave where I could tell they weren’t happy.’
Callie
‘I never enjoy it, I’m not attracted to my clients. But I don’t care, I’m not there to enjoy it, I don’t want to enjoy it.
‘Just relax and enjoy yourself, don’t worry too much about getting her off. It’s most likely not going to happen. Guys who insist on getting us off are really annoying.’
Mia
‘My preference is clients doing what they actually want. It is literally the whole point. Guys that want it all about them? Great. Guys that want it all about me? Great. Guys that try and do whatever it is they think they’re supposed to do… not great.
‘Don’t waste your paid time trying to “do your part” so shes “satisfied”. Your part is to pay the money, her part is to satisfy you. It’s literally how it works and it’s totally fine if everyone can accept and be chill about that.
‘No worker ever left a session like “oh he really didn’t do enough of his part to satisfy me”. But we’ve definitely left like “god that was hard work cos I had no idea what he actually wanted”.’
Star
‘The only way really to please me is to pay upfront, and tip generously.’
A property described as Ireland’s most haunted house has gone on sale.
Loftus Hall is a part-gothic, part-Palladian, 22-bedroom manor, situated on the Hook Peninsula in Wexford.
What’s more, the 27,124 sq ft estate features a private beach and 63 acres of land.
It could all be yours if you’re willing to put up with some ghoulish characters and if you have a spare £2.5million lying round.
The Hall is also a tourist attraction, which hosts paranormal tours six days a week.
Perhaps the best-known ghost story from the property is the legend of the Devil’s visit.
The story goes that a mysterious visitor came to the home in the mid 1700s, but one of the residents, Anne, developed a crush on the peculiar guest.
When they were playing cards one night she noticed he had hooves for feet, following that he combusted into flames and went through the roof.
After the encounter, Anne went mad and her family locked her away. She died a few years later and people have since claimed to have spotted her wandering through the house.
Over the years the property has had various uses, including a hotel, a convent and a private home.
Back in 2011, it was purchased by Aidan Quigley – who bought the home for around £566,428.12 (a quarter of the current asking price) before restoring it and opening it to the public for supernatural tours.
As for the sale itself, Aidan told Mansion Global that he won’t be hiring an estate agent – instead he will be interviewing potential buyers himself.
He said: ‘Loftus Hall is more than a house. It is a business, and we’ve invested so much in the brand, but it also allows people to buy into a part of history.’
There’s no limit to the number of times you can use the scheme so you can still enjoy a cheap lunch at Costa and then go higher-end for dinner if you want.
Of course, many top restaurants will still be pricey but you’ll get the discount off the bill no matter what you order. If you spend under £20 per head (excluding alcohol), the discount will be 50%.
If it’s over £20 per head, you’ll automatically get £10 per diner off your total bill. The amount isn’t calculated per diner so if one person’s meal comes to £18 and the other comes to £22, you’ll still get £20 off the £40 total.
Sadly the voucher can’t be used on alcohol, so you won’t get any money off if you go for the nicest bottle of wine on the menu. The cost of any alcohol will be separated on the bill and the discount will only be applied to the remainder.
There will also be strict social distancing in place at any restaurant you go to to try out the scheme.
Capacity will be lower so book ahead, expect to give your details for track and trace purposes and don’t double book.
Not showing up to take your table without cancelling in advance has a huge impact on restaurants, who are already struggling.
You won’t need a facemask inside the restaurant but will need to wear one if you are taking public transport to get there.
Although some places will accept cash, it is best to pay with card and use contactless payments if possible.
In news of things you didn’t know happened, the Potato Photographer of the Year has been named.
The winning picture was of a potato getting a haircut taken by Ray Spence who will receive a £1,000 prize.
Ray also gets a Fujifilm X-A7, a year’s membership to the Royal Photographic Society, a one-to-one workshop with photographer Benedict Brain and three years of Photocrowd master-level subscription.
While Ray took the main prize home, other photographers got a special shout-out for their creative work.
The competition was inspired by the photo of a potato taken by acclaimed photographer Kevin Abosch that sold for $1million (£770k) in 2016.
Each entrant had to pay £5 to enter the competition, with the proceeds going to charity The Trussell Trust which supports more than 1,200 food bank centres in the UK.
‘We didn’t quite raise a million bucks I had secretly hoped for,’ says competition organiser Benedict Brain,
‘But the few grand we did raise will go a long way to help provide much-needed food for the Trussell Trust. And there seems to be a healthy interest in running another competition next year.’
Here are the award-winning images:
Winner Ray Spence’s End of Lockdown At last (Picture: Ray Spence)
This won second place. A judge commented: ‘This looks like an alien lifeform, photographed on the surface on a barren planet by a NASA robot’ (Picture: David White)
This won third place (Picture Amy D’Agorne Craghill)
This photograph depicts an interpretation of Adam and Eve (Picture: Jodie Krause)
Sweet potato as a slug (Picture: Laure Gibault)
Amy submitted two images (Picture: Amy D’Agorne Craghill)
