mrsv

You might have turned out "normal" after schooling in the fifties, but it didn't do much for your grammar or punctuation skills. To the OP, have you looked on sites like mumsnet? There might be people on there who have experience of situations like this.

When people unexpectedly approach you with their products, it can be quite awkward or difficult, especially if you are busy or the products aren't what you would be looking for. Cold calling wouldn't have annoyed me, an email certainly wouldn't too. Once you have made that initial contact, a face to face meeting is the best way to proceed, but if it is arranged in advance then the potential buyer can look at your products at leisure, rather than in a rush. I'm sure you're aware of this, but make sure you have details that retailers will need, like what are your lead times and are you going to do sale or return or do they have to buy the stock out right? Retailers (especially smaller ones) may ask you to produce your own displays for in the store, such as posters for your brand too.

Also, put all of your contact details in any emails/mail shots you send them. Include your facebook details, phone numbers, email addresses and all other sites that you sell through, so they can see what level you are at and all of your products in their own time.

In my previous job, I would very regularly be approached by potential suppliers, some of whom were so inconsiderate or rude I would not have touched them with a barge pole! In my experience, turning up uninvited and asking to see someone is a no-no as people are busy and generally do not like being put on the spot, over the phone people will not have a clue what you are talking about, as they will not be able to see the products. I would E-mail, including pictures and prices and availability, give as much information as possible. Follow up the mail shot with a phone call, give a date for this in the original email message so they are prepared. It may even be worth putting together a package that you can post out, if requested, with press clippings and a mini catalogue of your products. The fact that you are pro-active in promotion would be a positive for retailers (saw your ad in Vogue last month) as it will generate interest for them too. Also, find out the name of the person you will need to speak to/email, as it makes it personal and shows that you have put effort into speaking to them.

My house got broken into after a housemate left the front door unlocked, oddly they didn't steal a thing but went through every room, while all my housemates were sat in the lounge. I knew a good few people round there who found random people in their house or got burgled after leaving windows and doors unlocked. It shouldn't be necessary to be so careful with locking doors, especially when you are in the house, but it is round there. I don't understand why, if you have experienced crime round there, then you wouldn't be super careful?

I used to live on Charlotte Road, got broken into a few times and had problems with people wandering round our back garden, but it felt like a safe area in terms of personal safety. There are a lot of students/shared houses, which probably explains why burglars target the area - rich pickings. If your house has been burgled because of windows being left open, this can happen anywhere. You are responsible for the safety of your possessions and security of your home, I was super careful when I lived round there because I knew there were burglars about so I wouldn't leave a window open if I wasn't in the room.

Proof? Just because it's written on the internet, doesn't mean it's true. If you could find genuine proof, that isn't from a biased view point (such as the false rape society, their name should be a give away really) and that has genuine academic research credentials, then it would be a different matter. You can back and claim using information found on the internet, but that doesn't make it true. Maybe you were addressed in such a manner because what you said was a grossly offensive and pointless statement. You should look at your own actions before having a tantrum.

I found Elephant to be the best, go to them directly, not through a price comparison site. I found the comparison sites to be a lot more expensive than going to the insurers direct. I also have my mum as a named driver on my policy, even though she lives down south, and that pulled a few hundred pounds off my price.

I wouldn't necessarily trust a qualified nutritionist any way, as any one can call themselves a nutritionist without any formal training or qualifications.

Do you struggle to get to sleep or stay asleep? If it's getting to sleep, then getting into a routine can help. The general advice on insomnia is along the lines of no electrical equipment for at least an hour before bed (TV, computers etc), no caffine in the afternoon/evening, physical exercise, don't smoke before bed, no alcohol. Hot baths/showers don't always work as you sleep when your body temperature is at a certain level.

Try TK Maxx, I don't know about the one in Sheffield, but the Leeds city centre one has a really good menswear section with loads of good suits, you just have to rootle about.

Having worked in a charity shop, I can say with certainty that most people do want clothes in mint condition and won't buy them if they aren't. The standard of donations can be very poor and few people want to buy a second hand primark vest top when you can buy a new one for £1.00. People seem to expect people who work in charity shops to work for free and for the shops to be a purely benevolent enterprise, when they are a business which has to turn a profit or they would not survive. I do wonder how many of the people who are so incessantly critical of how charity shops go about their business have ever worked in the sector? Working in charity retail opened my eyes to the realities of the industry.

My wedding band is nearly three and it's the colour it was when it was bought and I have never taken it off for anything, I even managed to spill nail varnish on it! My engagement ring is over ten years old and its colour hasn't altered either, both are white gold.

I'd imagine they would be, as they were fairly important in terms of world history. There are many events that could be included but wont, like there is with every other aspect of history. I don't see why an event which could help interest young people in History is such a bad thing? I loved History at school and college, in part because of the areas of the curriculum that I studied. My tutor at college picked really interesting areas to study, which got me really into the subject.

But not every aspect of black history could possibly be taught, bits would have to be chosen and bits missed out. It's the same with the "standard" curriculum of teaching History, there are certain areas that are never taught as the focus of teaching is narrow and the subject is very broad. Not all aspects of History can be taught, but surely it is best to at least introduce children to as much of it as possible.