Things That Make You Go Hmm...

I find it funny how some Americans and I'm sure people from other countries too sometimes live in a bubble.

What I mean is, not all people realize that there is more to the world than the US Mainland. During flight attendant training we had to learn to be sensitive to other cultures. I always thought I was pretty sensitive to the Japanese and my eye contact to be polite, but I didn't realize there were so many things I could do that could be interpreted as rude!

Did you know:
In the USA & the UK the thumbs up sign means OK, good job, everything is great?
Well, in Greece, Australia, Nigeria and some other countries it means "Up Yours!"

In the US the OK sign with your hands means everything is cool, it's OK.
In Nigeria, you are calling someone an A hole. Ooops! I won't do that one on the plane.

In Italy, to show something is sweet they put their pointer finger in their cheek and and turn. When I first saw that one I was like "Gelato gives you dimples?"

In Saudi Arabia do not show the sole of your shoe or the bottom of your foot for it is very offensive.

In the US, men make cat calls by whistling. In Mexico you'll hear psst psst.

While working a flight to India, don't touch the passenger's left hand. The left hand is used to wipe and the right hand is used for food. Of course not all Indian people don't use toilet paper, but you never know so...

There were a bunch of Flight Attendants sitting around the back galley of the plane to Mumbai, and someone says, "It smells like feces back here". She kept saying it and everyone agreed. She looked at her uniform, and it turned out the little old lady she helped out of the lavatory held onto her sweater with her left hand leaving behind feces! Yeah, so don't take any chances.

In Japan, Hawaii (and in my house too) do not walk on the carpet with your shoes, it is considered very rude! Not to mention how dirty it is. You walk in public restrooms, the street, and who knows where else and then you walk on the carpet with those shoes ewwww.

I'm sure there are many more, but that's all I can think of for now.

Wow, I have not blogged in a long time. A lot has been going on for me, most of it really good.

I got married. I know, me, of all people. Fredi and I finally did it, we got married. I am incredibly happy about it, however, don't expect me to have that white picket fence any time soon.

I put in my transfer at work, I am transferring to our international base. It's only temporary, but since the company added another destination in China, and one in Athens to our routes I decided, why not? It's only for the summer, then I will go back to my trusty old domestic flying after that.

I have also been spending a lot of time figuring out how to afford our (I can say our now that I'm married) next purchase. We are planning on buying a rental property on Oahu. I don't know how long it will take until that dream materializes, but I'm having fun planning the way to make it happen.

I have been reading a lot about business. I think I am ready to start the planning stages of getting back into business again. I won't be quitting my job, EVER. But, it will be something fun to do in my spare time.

I met this incredible woman last night on my way back from Seattle. Her name is Barbara K. She invented tools for women. She is so inspirational. She was telling me her story about how she started in this what is now a multi million-business. What I really liked about her is she didn't get into the business to make money as much as she did it to help people.

She sought after a way to help women, and the money followed. She is so sweet, beautiful and fun. She was just as excited to talk to me as I was to talk to her. She was so happy to share her enthusiasm, and give me information on how to do well in business. I actually started taking notes. I can't help it, I just can't let priceless information go without documenting it!

Barbara K is now being represented by Joe Simpson. You know, Jessica and Ashley Simpson's manager Dad. Barbara K will be the next big thing, I just know it. She is now branching out into media. I love to meet people who are successful and humble. People willing to inspire others, and don't think too highly of themselves.

That's what has been going on while I've been gone. I added a wedding picture of me and Fredi just for fun. Our wedding day, that's another story I will have to blog. There was a huge snow storm, and the wedding almost didn't happen!

Until next time.

Deanna