This Summer, Consider a “Walk and Talk”

As we head into summer, consider scheduling a “walk and talk” to connect with a partner or close friend. Research shows that talking to someone while walking side-by-side lends itself to less eye contact. This reduces the stress in a conversation. According to couple’s therapist, Esther Perel, “When walking next to someone, a conversation becomes parallel play.” The dynamic is that both people are, “looking ahead yet connected by the exchange.”

Furthermore, walking makes it nearly impossible to persistently check our phones. Priya Parker, author of “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters,” says that walks lend themselves to more natural silence. Some of the greatest conversations follow a period of silence. She adds that silence can be its own form of intimacy for a couple.

While these walks should feel pressure-free, they can be maximized by considering a topic ahead of time. Some ideas include raising a struggle or discussing a memory. Another option that Perel offers to make walks more fun is to think of a prompt, for example:

  • If my younger self could see me today, they would say…
  • A trip that changed my life was…
  • What’s a promise you wish you hadn’t broken?

A creative alternative posited by Parker is choosing a previously-unexplored area for a “wander walk.” The unfamiliarity of the surroundings encourages conversation topics that would not arise during a regular routine.

Embrace these positives and the beautiful weather, and schedule your walk and talk!

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi to Open this Week

The first Sea World outside of North America will open on Yas Island on May 23, 2023. Sea World Abu Dhabi is a five-floor wonderland whose eight realms boast 100,00 animals, 15 rides and experiences, 18 dining options, and 13 shopping areas.

Sea World Abu Dhabi aims to offer an unparalleled entertainment experience while simultaneously educating visitors about conservation and ecology.

The eight realms of Sea World Abu Dhabi are: One Ocean, MicroOcean, Rocky Point, Artic, Antarctica, Endless Ocean, Abu Dhabi Ocean, and Tropical Ocean. Each realm contains its own themed restaurants and cafes. The theme park uses advanced technology to recreate the natural habitats of the wildlife, controlling water currents, light conditions, and wave movement.

Other attractions on Yas Island include Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Brothers World, and the Emirates Park Zoo.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, the development company which built Sea World Abu Dhabi, said: “SeaWorld Abu Dhabi represents the next generation of theme parks, joining the world-class experiences on Yas Island, further positioning it as a top global destination, contributing to the growth of Abu Dhabi’s tourism vision.

“The Park will also play a key role in promoting environmental awareness and protecting marine life in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the wider region, undoubtedly inspiring guests to care for and protect our precious marine life for years to come.”

Buddy Holly Wins Best of Show

The 147th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was held on May 8th at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. This year, the grand prize was won by a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, a breed of dog that that has never before been crowned the winner. Buddy Holly, a six-year-old male from California, beat 3,000 dogs from 210 breeds to take first place in this prestigious contest.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens, or PBGV’s were bred to track hares in the region of Vendee in western France.

At the dog show, contestants are first separated into breeds. The winners of each breed are further divided into groups, such as hound, toy, non-sporting, herding, sporting, working, and terrier. Buddy Holly is considered a hound. The dogs are examined by a group of judges who touch the animals and watch them as their handlers lead them around the arena. Dogs are graded on appearance, temperament, size, coat, and other characteristics.

Buddy Holly’s handler, Janice Hayes, was very excited about the win, even though it does not come with a cash prize. “I never thought PBGV would do this. Buddy Holly is the epitome of the dog show.”

Despite “Engagement Gap,” Signet Jewelers President is Hopeful for Rebound

Top U.S. retailers report that engagement ring and wedding dress sales have not rebounded since the pandemic. The beginning of the lockdowns in the early spring of 2020 led to an “engagement gap,” according to Signet Jewelers, the largest jewelry company in the United States. Signet reports that engagement ring sales were down in 2023 and are projected to remain low in 2024. As another indication of lower engagement and marriage rates, David’s Bridal, the largest wedding dress retailer, recently declared bankruptcy.

According to president and chief consumer officer of Signet, Jamie Singleton, the average couple in the United States dates for 3.25 years before getting engaged. Thus, the company needs the number of engagements to grow by 25% by the year 2026 in order to return to pre-Covid sales.

Singleton, though, is hopeful that numbers will trend upward in the coming years, quoting the statistic that dating is back up 8% to pre-Covid levels.

New Option: Skip Those Airplane Meals

Here’s an interesting idea that a number of airlines are proposing. You can now opt to skip receiving your meal while on your next flight. Airlines such as Delta and Japan Airline are using an option to allow passengers to opt out before they even fly. Why would people choose to do so?

At the moment, the idea is serving as a test case for what airlines can do to reduce fuel, costs and waste on board flights. Of course, critics argue that the airlines are trying to make themselves look green – but that they are actually just trying to cut corners.

Of course, passengers who have chosen this option far before their flights are often worried about what will happen if they change their mind. They won’t be able to get a full meal, but there are always snacks on flights that passengers can find. And they can try to remember to bring their own goodies with them as well.

One other added benefit of forgoing the food is the chance to set your body onto the correct time zone. Eating at unusual times during a flight can definitely make it difficult for your body to adjust to the time change.

It will be interesting to see if this is something that takes off – or just a passing phase.

Beyond Borders: A Cross-Country Hotel Experience

Now that the skies have reopened and being are enjoying travel, it may be the perfect time to check out Hotel Arbez Franco-Suisse – which is also referred to as L’Arbézie. This hotel has the cool distinction of straddling an international border between France and Switzerland.

And that means that, when you check in, you don’t exactly know which country you’ll be sleeping in that night. Because of a trade agreement (explained in this article), about half of the hotel is in France while the other half sits in Switzerland. The international border actually runs right through the restaurant and a few of the guest rooms.

This sounds like it could just be a fun and silly place to be – but the implications of having a hotel in two countries are real. Switzerland and France have different electricity standards, and the rooms all include both types of sockets; there are certain unpasteurized cheeses allowed in Switzerland which can’t be brought over to France and this happens with some French specialties as well.