How to Make a Loofah Basket

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Making a loofah basket from loofah fruit is a simple project that will provide you with a useful, eco-friendly container for bathroom items that you'd like to keep together in one place.

Steps

1. Cut the top off the loofah sponge.
   
2. Upend the loofah sponge and cut down the middle.
   
3. Open the cut loofah sponge right out.
   
4. Take a small round piece of cardboard that is sized to fit at the base of the cut loofah.
   
5. Wrap the loofah sponge around the cardboard circle base.
   
6. Close the loofah sponge.
   
   • Holding the end with the cardboard circle, so that the circle does not slip loose, quickly stitch together the two sides of the wrapped loofah.
     
   
   
7. Cut a handle from a spare loofah sponge piece.
   
8. Hold the handle to the edge of the open top of the loofah sponge.
   
9. Attach the handle by stitching it to each side the loofah sponge basket.
   
10. Decorate the basket. Glue or stitch on the decoration that you have chosen.
    
11. Use it. Place emery boards, nail scissors etc. in your basket for storage and easy use.
    

Tips

• If presenting as a gift, put brand new items into the basket for a complete spa kit.
  
• Keep the basket off wet surfaces; the cardboard will get soaked. If this worries you, cover the cardboard circle completely in plastic contact before making the basket. Not as eco-friendly but more waterproof.
  

Warnings

• Be careful that you may cut yourself with the scissors or knife. If needed, have adult supervision present.
  

Things You'll Need

• Loofah fruit
  
• Cardboard circle
  
• Scissors
  
• Needle and thread
  
• Decorative item such as lace, ribbon etc.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Soften a Hard Loofah
  
• How to Clean a Loofah or Natural Sponge
  
• How to Handcraft an Organic Loofah
  
• How to Create A Home Spa Experience Without Spending A Dime
  
• How to Have a Mini Spa in Your Bathroom
  

Sources and Citations

• VideoJug Video demonstration of article; made by Giannyl. Original source of article; shared with permission & appreciation.
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make a Loofah Basket. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Not Always Talk About the Same Things

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Everyone talks about the weather or the front page headlines from the news. The more knowledge you possess and varied your interests, the more different subjects you will be interested in talking about.

Steps

1. Watch the world around you, and look for things that interest you. A broad vision of life will expand the subjects you will enjoy talking about.
   
2. Look for new friends in different walks of life or different backgrounds. Their perspectives, philosophies, and ideas may be interesting topics of conversation.
   
3. Listen to the people you talk with, and if they have unique interests, learn more about them. If you are frequently with someone who loves sports, take time to learn some of the basics of their favorites. The same would go for fishing, needlepoint, opera, or any host of potential subjects.
   
4. Search for new perspectives in your own interests, and keep current on the leading edge of discoveries in those areas. When Pluto was declared a non-planet some months ago, you can be sure it was a hot topic in the astronomical community, but people on the streets were talking about it too.
   
5. Study the reaction of people you normally talk with when you try to bring up new topics. If you see drooping eyelids and hear yawns, you are not stimulating them, you are sedating them, but if eyebrows rise, and you see response, you are on the right track.
   
6. Remember, with exception to offensive language or culturally taboo subjects, there are limitless possibilities. Movies, music, fashion, business, sports, politics, celebrities, school, and current events, even... the weather, offer unlimited conversational subjects, if you take a little time to be interested in them.
   
7. Develop hobbies and look for clubs or organizations that support them. This will be a unique ground to learn and share ideas and thoughts as your knowledge grows.
   

Tips

• Watch at least a little local and world news whenever you can.
  
• Read the headlines in various sections of the local paper.
  
• Listen occasionally to talk radio, these are the experts on talking about a host of subjects.
  

Warnings

• When the group is talking about one subject, don't try to force a change in topic.
  
• Spend time listening to others, for you will soon find few people willing to listen to you.
  
• For older people, please do not go into minute details about your ailments. The only people interested in your medical history are you, your doctor and a lawyer, if you are suing for malpractice.
  
• Repetitive talk is often seen in people obsessed not merely with their business interests, but with a particular mission; such as vegetarianism, deaddiction, faith healing etc. Introspect and find out if you are obsessed. This would make you far more acceptable, likable and respectable and enable you to further the true essence of your mission as well!
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Fish out Topics for Conversation
  
• How to Have a Great Conversation
  
• How to Start a Conversation When You Have Nothing to Talk About
  
• How to Keep the Conversation Flowing With a Girl (for Guys)
  
• How to Converse with a Guy Online
  
• How to Love Learning About Things!
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Not Always Talk About the Same Things. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Handcraft an Organic Loofah

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Natural loofah sponges stimulate your circulatory system, exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin, and massage and activate the nerve cells beneath your skin. Best of all, you can grow them yourself, and they're biodegradable. The loofah vine is found naturally in the Middle East and in India and it will thrive in other warm dry areas such as USDA Zone 10. However, with care you can grow it indoors.

Steps

1. Remove the loofah fruit from the vine when ripe.
   
2. Peel off the outer layer of the fruit to reveal the sponge inside.
   
3. Cut the loofah down the middle section.
   
4. Cut out excess spongy area inside. The inside should end up looking hollow.
   
5. Cut the loofah edges down to a small hand-held shape.
   
   • You should now have two separate loofah pieces that are identical in shape and fit against one another.
     
   
   
6. Cut a length of fabric. This will serve as the handle that lets you hold the loofah. It only needs to be long enough to fit across the cut-down loofah shape, with edges for tucking under.
   
7. Place the handle across the loofah sponge.
   
   • Tuck each end of the fabric strip into the middle section of the loofah sponge on each side and sandwich into place.
     
   
   
8. Stitch the two loofah pieces together, firmly holding the fabric handle in place.
   
   • When you have stitched around the entire loofah sponge, you will be able to hold it with the handle, as demonstrated in this image.
     
   
   

Video

Tips

• Wrap in recycled paper or add to a basket to give as an organic gift.
  
• You can find seeds on ebay and other places on the internet if you search for "loofah seeds".
  
• Garden centers in home improvement stores often have the seeds, which may be called Luffa Gourd, Chinese Okra, or other names.
  

Warnings

• If a loofah is to be used, be sure to periodically clean the loofah by soaking it in a bleach solution.[1] (Many health professionals do not recommend the use of a loofah due to bacteria.)
  
• Replace the loofah with a new one every 6 weeks if it is to be used daily.
  
• Do not be overzealous when using the loofah as an exfoliating tool as this may irritate the skin.
  

Things You'll Need

• Loofah fruit
  
• Fabric strip
  
• Needle and thread
  
• Scissors
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Make a Loofah Basket
  
• How to Soften a Hard Loofah
  
• How to Clean a Loofah or Natural Sponge
  
• How to Create A Home Spa Experience Without Spending A Dime
  
• How to Have a Mini Spa in Your Bathroom
  
• How to Make Bath Bombs
  

Sources and Citations

• VideoJug Video demonstration of article; made by Giannyl. Original source of article; shared with permission & appreciation.
  

1. ↑ http://jcm.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/32/2/469

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Handcraft an Organic Loofah. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Make the Most out of Your Night

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

People are often so busy these days that it becomes easy to lose ourselves. There is never time for ourselves or to do the things we enjoy. Well here are a few steps to consider when you're in need of some personal TLC.

Steps

1. Take a bath. It becomes a luxurious oasis for relaxing and enjoying the few free minutes to yourself.
   
2. Buy a book. Get a recommendation of a good book from a friend, or ask to borrow theirs. Escaping into the words of the book will allow you some free time to unwind and not think about everything else going on in your life.
   
3. Go for a walk. While most people are so tired by the time they get home at the end of their day, it seems like a tall order to take a walk, but the benefits you could receive are well worth it. Walking helps us alleviate stress, and increases endorphin es, which makes us happier. When you get home, put your sneakers on and walk outside. You'll instantly be happy that you did it.
   
4. Start cooking. Cooking is a great way to escape and enjoy some alone time. This is a great idea for people who cook often anyway, but the difference is, to try new things, and to define that while you're cooking in the kitchen this particular night, you are not to be disturbed. Pour yourself a glass of wine (if you're of age of course) and pick a new recipe to try. The new experience, and rewarding finished result will leave you feeling satisfied (and full from a delicious meal!)
   

Tips

• These suggestions work best when they're treated as mandatory events. If you give yourself the option to not do it, you will feel dissatisfied and will be right back to square one. Stick with it, and give yourself some peace of mind.
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make the Most out of Your Night. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Mix Colors to Make Pink

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Pink is a very feminine, interesting color. It is not on any color wheel, yet it is the favorite of thousands of people around the world. Almost everything can look good in pink!

Steps

1. Decide what you want in pink. If you want paint in pink, you will use one method. If you want a sweater in pink, yet another kind of situation entirely will be required. If you want light in pink, you will have to use another method.
   
2. Paint
   
   • • If you are using water colors, you will need only one color to make pink: red. You may use the "wet wash" method. Just cover your white paper with water and then apply a small amount of red paint, washing it all across the entire page.
       
     • If you are using acrylics or oils, you will use predominantly white paint. Just dab some white paint on your palette and add a tiny drop of any of the reds. Mix well. Add ever so small a dab more if you are not satisfied with the level of pink saturation at first. Use of a brick red will give you a muddier pink, closer to a peach. Vermilion will give you a nice shade of pure pink.
       
     
     
   
   
3. Frosting For frosting, you can use a method very similar to that used for paint. Start with white frosting. Add to this the most minuscule drop possible of red food coloring. The red is very strong, and will turn that white frosting pink in a jiffy. Stir very well, until you have a nice uniform blend. Add another drop if you want a deeper shade. And then, since pink frosting might be good in a flavor such as strawberry, add some flavoring as well. Again, just a small touch.
   
4. Knitting Use red wool and white wool. Choose a pattern which allows a large amount of intertwining of the materials. From a distance, your completed sweater will almost look pink.
   
5. Cheeks For pink cheeks you won't do any mixing at all. Just go outside for a walk on a cold day. Of course you could use rouge, but that may not be as healthy for you.
   
6. Lights for a stage Cross two or more beams of light to create a pink effect. Ideally, you should use an even number of light beams, half white/clear, and the other set red. If you want a darker pink, use more red, and for a lighter pink, make sure that you use more white beams than red.
   
7. Flowers You can dye flowers to a nice shade of pink. The trick of course, is to begin with a white flower, and then to add red coloring. Carnations work very well for this method. Just put some red food coloring in a glass of water. Fill a large bowl with water and get a good pair of nice sharp garden shears. Place your stem under the water, and cut the stem with the shears, keeping the stem under water the entire time. Cut about an inch off the bottom. Then insert the stem directly into the glass you had already filled with red water. Wait just a few hours, and you will have a pink carnation.
   

Tips

• Obviously, more red = dark pink, more white = light pink.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Make Pink Stuff
  
• How to Make a Pretty N Pink Cake
  
• How to Mix Colors Properly
  
• How to Use Art Supplies
  
• How to Mix Paint Colors to Make Brown
  

Sources and Citations

• http://desktoppub.about.com/od/colorpalettes/l/blcpred.htm
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Mix Colors to Make Pink. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Relax After a Long Day

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

After a long day of working and playing hard you often feel tired, wound-up and frustrated. This is a common feeling as many people don't use a lot of time relaxing and the stress gradually builds up, particularly when a major event has happened or at the middle of the week. When you need a pick-me-up try these steps and you will ready to face the world again.

Steps

1. Fill a hot bath with aromatic bubbles - Find some bubble bath, spa quality if you can afford it, alough it can be one that your children use, as those still soften your skin and let you relax. Bath bombs and 'floating island' type bubble bath are also very effective.
   
2. Eat some food - Food often picks you up and makes you more content. Soup and broth is the best if you are on the run and have limited time as you can heat some varieties in the microwave at home or work. If not, try your favourite easy meal. If you are cold, eat something filling and hot.
   
3. Light some scented candles - Cheap can be cheerful if you smell the candle before you buy it. Long or squat, the flickering flame will help soothe your mind.
   
4. Play a soothing CD or tape, such as classical and perhaps whale or bush noises if you have one. Stay away from rock, opera, punk or pop music, unless you want to be energised.
   
5. Make your sleeping or living area combtuable - If you go to sleep after work, as soon as you get home turn on your electric blankets and heaters if it is cold. Open windows a few hours before you go to sleep if it is hot.
   

Tips

• If your hair is looking down then get some olive oil and mix it with one egg white and spread it over your hair, put your hair in a shower cap while you bathe and when you're done, rinse and shampoo.
  
• Use Your favorite smelling bath bubbles.
  
• Try not to watch the television if you need to get something done (like for work). If you do you'll probably be even more stressed out because you didn't get done what was needed to get done. Do this first so you can have a clear mind while relaxing
  

Warnings

• Never leave a candle unwatched for a long period of time. Always sit it on a holder or in a deep bowl or saucer.
  
• Try not to leave the bath unwatched either as it may overflow, and test it if is too hot for your liking.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Calm Down After a Long Day
  
• How to Stay Tuff After a Hard Day
  
• How to Love Yourself After a Long Battle in an Abusive Relationship
  
• How to Feel Fresh After or During a Long Plane or Road Trip
  
• How to Relax in Bed
  
• How to Relax
  
• How to Meditate
  
• How to Do Yoga from Your Work Place
  
• How to Do Yoga in Bed
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Relax After a Long Day. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Look Great at the Pool

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Do you want to look great while at the pool? Some simple know-how about key accessories will have you feeling great and looking even better.

Steps

1. Obtain a bathing suit that looks good on your figure. You don't have to get a bikini. Just wear what you are going to be comfortable wearing; tankinis, full-piece swimsuits, bikinis with skirts or wraps - all are fine provided they fit well. Make sure to get patterns or colors that are bright and summery. If you like a certain part of your body, dress to flatter that part. Like if you have long legs, then wear bottoms that have ties on the sides. If you like your back, wear a backless. If you like your butt, wear bottoms with ruffles.
   
2. Purchase a great pair of sunglasses. They don't have to be designer to look good. You can get a great looking pair at any drugstore. Just make sure that they suit your personality and look good on you.
   
3. Wear cute summery sandals. Get some that are bright colors. Make sure that they are comfortable though because they could hurt your feet.
   
4. Be manicured. Since your feet are going to be showing a lot, then your toenails are going to need to be cut neatly and painted in bright fun colors. You could try hot pink, lime green, or bright orange. Luminescent pastels are also cool.
   
5. Add sunscreen lotion. Before you leave the house rub or spray your sunscreen lotion in. This will give it time to soak in or dry and will be effective by the time you're facing the glare of the sun.
   

Tips

• Try putting on some waterproof mascara. they also have waterproof eyeliner, and many lip glosses have staying power as well.
  
• Earrings can still work if you wear them. Make sure that they are studs though, because you don't want them to fall off or get stuck on something.
  
• Add a cute bracelet or ankle bracelet if you like being adorned. Make sure that it fits well because you don't want these items to fall off in the pool - you'll never find them again! Nix them if you want a truly sporty look - jewelry is a hassle not attractive in this case.
  
• Have a bright, summery beach towel to lay on. Make sure that it is colorful or has a cute pattern.
  
• if you want to wear jewelry to the pool, make sure it is jewelry that wears well in water, preferably originally from the water, such as pearls (faux, so its no big deal if they break) shell and mother of pearl jewelry.
  
• a hair holder of some sort, and leave in conditioner are great to have. if you put your hair in a braid, its convenient, looks good, and when your hair dries, it gives you cute waves.
  

Warnings

• Make sure that you are going to be comfortable in the bathing suit you choose. You don't want to be uncomfortable at the pool.
  
• You do not always have to wear a bikini, 1 piece sets are hot too.
  
• Apply lots of sunscreen (1 full ounce) and try to stay out of the sun whenever you can.
  

Things You'll Need

• Swimsuit suitable for your figure
  
• Sunscreen
  
• Sunglasses
  
• Towel
  
• Hat
  
• Jewelry (optional and not recommended for the sporty look)
  
• Waterproof mascara (optional)
  
• Sandals
  
• Quality nails on show
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Buy a Swimsuit Online
  
• How to Choose the Right Swimsuit
  
• How to Look Slim in a Swimsuit
  
• How to Exercise to Become a Better Swimmer
  
• How to Remove Hair from Your Bikini Area with Nair
  
• How to Get a Great Bikini Butt
  
• How to Solve the Bikini Bottom Problem
  
• How to Convince Your Mom and Dad to Let You Wear Halter Tops and Tankinis
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Look Great at the Pool. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Look Good in Pictures

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Looking good in pictures makes you feel more confident about yourself, which is important. If you're one of those people who look bad in pictures, this article is made for you.

Steps

1. Learn why you look bad in pictures. Look at pictures of yourself and pictures of other people and find out why they look good, and you look bad. Some problems are:
   
   • pictures in shady areas
     
   • pimples, blemishes, zits...
     
   • ugly hairstyle or clothing
     
   • or it could be all just in your mind
     
   • bushy eyebrows
     
   
   
2. squinted or closed eyes
   
3. Look good and prepare before taking pictures. Get out clothes that are your favorite and look really good on you. Solid colored shirts usually look the best. Find which colors look best on your skin tone.
   
4. Look at many types of hairstyles to see which one suits you the best. If you have a wide face, try wearing your hair down. This will make your face look smaller and more prettier. On the other hand, if you have a small face wear your hair up and out of your face. Bangs can make a high forehead appear smaller.
   
5. Clear your skin and look pretty. Wash your face with a pimple fighting cleanser. Then pat dry your skin, and apply a toner. After applying the toner, put on a good moisturizing cream on your face for a fresh look. Apply your make-up as usual.
   
6. Good night, and sleep tight. The day before you get your picture taken, make sure you have a good night sleep. If you have dark under eye circles, then put two slices of cucumber on your eyes. Make sure you're not stressed out, this will lead to ugly pictures.
   
7. Be confident about yourself.Make sure you feel proud of who you are. If you feel like your ugly then you'll appear ugly in the picture. Look at your old pictures of your self and think about the good times back then and look and feel pretty. When you take the picture make sure you smile and look happy. If you fake a smile then you will look really bad. So feel and look happy as well. If you're uncomfortable with your teeth, learn to smile with your mouth closed and 'smile with your eyes.'
   
8. Find a good spot to shoot the picture. If you take it in a shady are the picture will look really dark and ugly. On the other hand, if it's too sunny and bright, then the picture will be blurry and hard to see. So get a nice spot to take the picture. Good luck on the picture day!
   

Tips

• Give a nice smile, not too big or not too small, just the size of Montreal!
  
• Take the shower in the morning of the picture day so you feel fresh.
  
• Don't stand straight as a stick, do a little pose too look cool.
  
• Make sure you're in a good mood and feel good. If you have a stomach ache, then try skipping the picture day.
  
• Always look at the positive side, not the negative side.
  

Warnings

• Do not pressure yourself too much to look good, and spend a fortune on your hair, clothes, or make-up.
  
• Make sure the make-up looks natural. If you put loads of make-up you will look really fake!
  
• Do not eat too much on the day of your pictures or you will get a stomach ache.
  
• Do not eat too little either.
  
• Do not eat anything heavy (e.i. pastries, pastas, breads--anything with alot of carbs) right before picture time. One's stomach tends to kind of bulge right after those kinds of foods.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Take Better Photos With Your Camera
  
• How to Edit Your Photos on Windows Vista
  
• How to Reduce Red Eyes on Photos Using GIMP
  
• How to Smile Like You Mean It
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Look Good in Pictures. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Have Other People Remember You Subconsciously

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Have you ever wanted to be remembered for something you did or said? Well, this is close but instead, they will remember you subconsciously. This means that for example, if you do a certain hand motion, whenever they see something close to it, they will think of you.

Steps

1. Find out how you remember other people by.
   
2. Get your own personal scent
   
   • Go to a scent store and pick some scents you like
     
   • Go home and see what they smell like if you mix them
     
   • If you like it, use it, it will be your signature smell
     
   • If you don't, try again
     
   
   
3. Get your own style of clothing
   
   • Go get some magazines or watch fashion Tv
     
   • Develop a sense of the current style
     
   • Have fun with it and mix
     
   • Ask friends how it looks
     
   • Read other articles more detailed in how to get your own style
     
   
   
4. Get a certain movement(s)
   
   • Watch what you do already (ex: tilt your head, move your hands, silly wave/handshake)
     
   • If you don't already have something, make something up that you use will regularly
     
   
   
5. Have your own way of saying things
   
   • Try smiling at the end of every sentence or making the intonation go up/down
     
   • Find a way of getting your "voice" through even when they can't hear you (AIM, email etc...)
     
   
   
6. Go with the flow ^^
   
7. Have a certain icon that you put in signatures and such. For example, if you sign your name with a butterfly or something at the end of your last name, people will know that icon well
   

Tips

• The smallest things are the best.
  
• Don't change yourself to fit these, just go with what you already do.
  
• Get friends to tell you what they remember about you the most.
  

Warnings

• Don't spend all your time getting them to remember your face, they need a personality to remember too.
  
• Consider that maybe the trick to making someone remember you is to remember them. If you only worry about yourself, you might acquire a nonchalant attitude or seem like you don't really care about other people. This won't necessarily make you unmemorable, but do you think people would want to remember you?
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Create Patterns in Beatboxing
  
• How to Be Cool at School in Uniform
  
• How to Stay Warm Using Your Mind
  
• How to Put Your Problems on Hold in Order to Enjoy Yourself
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Have Other People Remember You Subconsciously. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Come up With an Excuse

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Caught in a sticky situation and need to come up with an excuse? This guide will tell you how to come up with an excuse that anyone would believe.

Steps

1. Tell yourself what the situation is. This will help with coming up with the excuse. Let's say you forgot your homework or important documents. You don't want to use the old dog-ate-my-homework excuse of course, but think of something more natural. Something that could really happen, something reasonable.
   
2. Build up the excuse. If possible, blame it lightly on someone else. "My parents were invited to a family party and I had to go." is a good example. Or "When I came home from school yesterday, I found out my dog was sick, and we had to take him to the vet."
   
3. Play it cool and stay calm. Speak naturally and calmly, but still with expression. Whoever you're speaking to will think this is really true only if you pretend it actually happened.
   

Tips

• Stay calm.
  
• Make sure your excuse isn't too far-fetched.
  
• Don't stray too far from the real reason.
  
• Come up with some good reasons beforehand and pratice saying them to yourself in the mirror. You have to look natural!
  

Warnings

• Avoid using this on someone too powerful.
  
• Try not to say 'um' too much.
  
• Don't use the same one too often. People will start to realize it's fake when you use it over and over again.
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Come up With an Excuse. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Bounce Back from a Bad First Impression

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Don't you just hate it when you are first meeting someone and you leave the person with a horrible first impression? Reading this simple how-to will give you the instructions you need to bounce back after a bad first impression.

Steps

Recovering after the "failed joke"

1. Don't beat yourself up - Realize that everyone makes mistakes, and at some point in their life says something they wish they hadn't. Try not to magnify the situation in your head.
   
2. If an awkward silence begins, close it with a self-deprecating phrase such as "It sounded funny in my head"; or "Wow, that wasn't funny at all". Then be sure to quickly move on to something else.
   
3. Wait a little while until you try another joke again.
   

Recovering after making an inadvertent offence

1. Avoid trying to justify what's been said. This could cause even a greater problem for you.
   
2. Apologize to the person you offended with sincerity.
   
3. Walk away and go get a drink, or use the restroom, giving the person some space.
   
4. Towards the end of the gathering, approach the person again and, when there is nobody around you, offer another sincere apology. More times than not the person will accept your apology and everyone can move on!
   

Video

Tips

• When apologizing to someone be sure to keep it brief.
  

Warnings

• Don't let there be awkward silences linger. Try to move onto something new.
  

Sources and Citations

• VideoJug.com Original source of this information. Shared with permission.
  

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Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Bounce Back from a Bad First Impression. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Act Shy

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Sometimes you want to pretend to be someone else, or you need to project a different image of yourself for some reason... Here's how to act shy.

Steps

1. Dress shy. Your appearance will make a first impression on new people. When picking out your outfit for the day, remember that you are trying to appear shy, so you want to go very unnoticed. A plain pair of denim jeans or khaki pants, and a simple shirt... Do not over-accesorize, but don't completely skip the accessories either -- a pair of earrings or a hair clip if you're female, for example, can help you blend in with the crowd more. Keep to traditional colors, but don't overdo dark (if you're wearing a dark pair of pants, don't wear a dark top too).
   
2. Talk shy. Meaning as little as possible. Remember you are shy, so you find it hard to make conversation with strangers. Keep your voice at a slightly lower volume than normal, but don't whisper. Reply with short answers as much as possible. Don't give away too much information about yourself, but don't act too mysterious or secretive either; just omit personal details and act uncomfortable when you have to disclose some. Take your time to answer as if you are not sure what to say, or how to say it, so that you'll hit "the right answer"... or that's what you want the other person to think, anyway. Ask as few questions as possible, and make sure most of them are "returned questions" (i.e., the other person asks you something, and after your reply you add "and you?") you can also pause a bit before the returned question as if you've thought of it only as an afterthought.
   
3. Look shy. Keep eye contact to a minimum, look at the floor frequently but not for more than a couple of seconds, and blink a lot -- you are attempting to look as if you are too shy to look at the other person and you don't know what to do with your eyes.
   
4. Act shy. Body language says a lot about someone. When crossing your arms, for example, do it as if hugging yourself, trying not to look too defensive, just protective of your privacy. Don't be too serious, and when you laugh, pretend to be slightly embarrassed by the fact, but only slightly. And most importantly: avoid at all costs taking the initiative in anything.
   

Tips

• When you are pretending to be shy, you can still get a person's phone number or email address even if they don't offer it or ask for yours first, but wait until the very last moment to do it (you are, after all, waiting for the other person to take the initiative) and act embarrassed and unsure when you do it.
  
• Avoid volunteering information, but don't keep it all to yourself either.
  

Warnings

• Pretending to be someone you are not can seem like fun at first, but in the end it'll prevent you from enjoying yourself fully, and can eventually prevent you from making friends.
  
• Be sure the situation warrants your acting shy. Before setting yourself out to do it, consider why you want to do it and whether it's really necessary.
  
• When you want to stop acting shy with someone and start being yourself, make the change as gradual as possible so that the other person won't notice you've been acting before.
  
• Pretending to be someone else might make some people feel like you are lying to them and that might offend them; it's definitely not the way to make new friends and form meaningful relationships.
  
• Always make sure you're not hurting anyone's feelings.
  

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• How to Make Friends
  
• How to Talk to a Shy Person
  
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• How to Be Shy but Not Have Low Self Esteem
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Act Shy. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.