| What to consider when giving a holiday tip
If you have many people on your tip list, you may be considering how much to give this year. Though the economy is recovering, many people are still cutting back on tips, but here are the recommendations from etiquette authorities. If you see them more, tip them more. That includes the salon, where the price of one visit (or more) is advised. The waitress at your favorite restaurant should receive more than the mail carrier or the trash man who you rarely see. People who work in your home more than two days a week, such as nannies and housekeepers, should get one week's extra pay, more if you can afford it and want to give it. Be careful not to practice one-upmanship with teachers. Gift cards are a nice thought. Personalize them to a teacher's tastes if you are familiar with them. Day care workers can be gifted, the value depending upon how much time each spends with your child, $25 and up. Money isn't everything, however. If you can't give much this year, a thank-you note or homemade dessert is fine, especially for people you have tipped during the year. Or send a note of praise to a worker's supervisor. In time, that could help them get a promotion, which is the best gift of all. |
By Colleen McCleery, MD, OB/GYN—Exuberan® by Virtua Menopause is a mixed bag of little surprises. While most women look forward to saying goodbye to tampons and pads, far fewer are excited to now experience hot flashes and night sweats. And it’s probably fair to say that weight gain is the least popular and often least expected “side effect” of this hormonal shift. Considering many women struggle with their weight on a good day, it’s not surprising that this is the number one complaint from patients who are going through this transition. The biology of menopause During the late 40s to mid-50s, a hormone called FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) increases and no longer performs its job to regulate the ovaries. During this increase in FSH, other hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone decrease. A decrease in testosterone can lead to weight gain and decreased energy. And, not surprisingly, estrogen loss has far-reaching effects beyond hot flashes. It contribut...
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