INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Using a sharp knife, cut the fennel into very thin,1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) slices and set aside. Add 1 cup (240 mL) of white wine vinegar, 1 cup (240 mL) of water, 1⁄4 cup (59 mL) of sugar, and 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of coarse salt. Continue to boil the ingredients until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved. Experiment with adding additional flavors like orange or peppercorn, or find a recipe online for other options. Do not cool the liquid completely. It should still be warm when you begin the next step. Allow the fennel to steep in the liquid for about 20 minutes. Use it immediately, or place it in canning jars to store it for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Use the pickled fennel as a topping on salads or meat dishes.

SUMMARY: Cut a fennel bulb into thin slices. Combine pickling ingredients in a small saucepan and boil. Allow the liquid to cool for 5 minutes. Add the fennel.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The "right time" means something different for every kid and every parent. As a general rule of thumb, consider that your child should probably know how to practice safe, consensual sex by the time that he or she winds up in a sexual situation. If your child is approaching his or her teen years, then hormones are coming, and the time is nigh.  In this digital age, more children are learning about sex from the Internet. If your child gets curious, then they may do a lot of exploratory searching. Use your knowledge to act as a guiding figure. Your child may know more than you think. Many schools incorporate some form of sexual education into their curriculum. Try using this as a reason to engage with your kids about the realities of sex. Set yourself up as a resource, and offer to answer any questions that your children might have. Sex can be an embarrassing topic for adults to discuss—let alone children or teenagers! If the topic comes up naturally, then take the opportunity to discuss it. Otherwise: plan out what you are going to say, and try to build upon what your child already knows. Keep an open mind. Be respectful of boundaries. If your son or daughter doesn't want to talk about the "birds and the bees," then don't force the conversation. There are various books, websites, and other resources available that make it easier for kids and teenagers to learn about healthy sex. If your child is younger than 10-12, consider going through these resources one-on-one. If you are dealing with a teenager, then you can likely just pass along the information and let your teen explore on his/her own time.   What Makes A Baby by Cory Silverberg is a children's book for parents looking to explain to young children how babies are conceived and born. The website BishUK provides a range of topics for parents and teens. The site covers not only the physical aspects of sex, but its emotional impact. MTV, as an offshoot of their Teen Mom series, runs the website [mysexlife.org mysexlife.org]. The site helps teenagers understand sex and sexuality, and it can help teach young adults how to make safe decisions regarding their bodies. Speakeasy, a Family Planning Association, features online guides to help parents talk to kids about sex and reproduction. There are guides available for a variety of ages.

SUMMARY: Know when it's time to talk to your child about sex. Bring it up gently. Use outside resources.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Even if you think the way you were let go was unfair or terrible, don’t badmouth your former employer or boss in an interview. This makes you look negative and often changes the way the interviewer sees you. If the interviewer asks you to elaborate about your boss or former company, you can say something like, "The company just wasn't a good fit for me, because it didn't present the types of challenges I most enjoy." Or you can say, "My boss is great at his job, but our personalities just didn't fit well." ” Don’t lie, but you don’t have to be obvious about it either. Instead, you can say things like “my company downsized” or “my position was eliminated.” If it’s apparent to the interviewer that you were fired for a more specific reason that downsizing, explain what happened in as few words as possible. For example, you can say something like “I learned that I should really research the companies I apply to, to make sure that their goals and mine match. For example, I noticed that your company’s commitment to social justice matches my own passion for it, which is exemplified by my work with the ACLU.” Interviewers will tend to have more respect for you if you take responsibility for being fired. This doesn’t necessarily mean accepting blame if you weren’t at fault, but it can mean acknowledging the position wasn’t a good fit or you didn’t get along with your bosses or coworkers. For example, you can say something like “You can see on my resume that being involuntarily let go from a position is not commonplace for me. The truth is that my boss and I did not get along well and the position wasn’t a good fit. I’ve learned a lot from the position, and my references will attest to my excellence as an employee and coworker.”

SUMMARY: Don’t talk about your previous boss or company. Avoid saying “fired. Be concise, then move on. Take responsibility.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: This is the first chance for good customer service. Make them feel comfortable and appreciated, but don’t overdo your interaction. ” instead of “Can I help you?” Ask your associates to reformulate their questions to be open-ended. Don’t be too nosy, but express a genuine interest in what they are looking for so you can create a custom experience. In some cases, this may mean recommending another business if you don’t carry it. Chances are, customers will appreciate this dedication to providing a full-service product. This can be hard in a call center or snack bar, but the customer will engage more with people who are positive and genuine. Reward people for returning regularly, by increasing the number of times they can enter. Become a part of your local community by choosing a charity and asking customers to support it with you. Show customers that you are people running a business, rather than a business running people.

SUMMARY:
Welcome them when a customer walks in the door. Try an open-ended question, such as “How can I help you? Ask topical questions about why the person needs an item. Offer additional help in finding other items. Hire people with genuine enthusiasm for the products. Host in-store contests. Have a grand opening or engage in local art walks.