Suppose I just bought a new microwave. In fact, it’s the first microwave I’ve ever owned. I’ve baked a few things in the oven before, and seen microwaves at other people’s houses. I really want to cook a full meal with my new gadget, but I don’t know where to start. I look for a […]

A few days ago, I called the phone company to report a billing error. After making my way through a fairly simple menu system, I got to the billing department. What I heard next was quite surprising. Even though I called during business hours, they said there were too many calls in the queue, and […]

It’s no secret that airplanes, hotels, and other places you go while traveling are filled with germs. But while almost everyone knows about this, few companies in the travel and hospitality business ever mention cleanliness in their marketing — even if they’re taking steps to provide a clean and safe environment. I think they are […]

Sometimes, even the most innocent-sounding statements can speak volumes about the person or organization that you’re dealing with. In my experience, this is especially true when people try to address your concerns about a possible transaction. Say you’ve just told a vendor the three things that worry you most about a particular purchase. But instead […]

I’ve had my share of long and painful flight delays, but I’ve rarely had to spend the night in the airport or a questionable hotel. That said, I’m always aware that it could happen at any time. While pondering how prepared I am for this sort of thing, I thought of a simple question: How […]

Everyone says you should change your passwords regularly. Some software programs even require you to do it every 30-90 days, and won’t let you use the same password twice. But what about all the websites you use, with their endless list of username and password combinations? Keeping track of this information can be a project, […]