Article: Maybe your company recently expanded its global operations. You might suddenly find yourself working closely with team members from other cultures. Take some time to work on making these relationships stronger.  Spend time learning about other cultures. For example, if you are going to be working closely with your Japan office, study up on Japanese work etiquette. Ask your Human Resources department if they have any resources available. They might be able to direct you towards a helpful website. Head to the local library. The resource librarian can direct you towards references that can give you a solid overview of the culture you're learning about. Don't go into this situation afraid to make errors. If you're overly anxious, you might not speak up and share your ideas. You also won't be able to connect with your new co-workers or clients.  Just know that mistakes might happen. You might accidentally try to eat your food incorrectly at a client lunch, for example. Laugh it off and apologize. These things happen when you are learning new cultural norms. Say a sincere, "I apologize." Then remember your mistake and don't make the same one twice. Some of your current colleagues might be uncomfortable working with people from different cultures. That can cause unease and stress in the workplace. Build good relationships with people and learn to be an ally for those from other cultures.  One of the most effective ways to be an ally is to show that discrimination will not be tolerated. Stand up for people if someone is saying or doing something offensive. For example, maybe one of your co-workers makes an offensive comment about the way your new clients from the Middle East dress. Make it clear that that sort of talk is not acceptable. You can say something like, "You know, just because these people dress differently, that doesn't make them wrong or somehow less than us. Let's be respectful, ok?" When you take time to get to know someone, you can find new ways to strengthen your work relationship. Put some effort into building individual relationships. Your work life will be more productive and pleasant.  Don't lump people together in a group. For example, avoid making general comments such as, "Those Australians don't have the same work hours that we do." Instead, say, "I need to talk to Anna and Steve about how we can resolve this issue." Thinking of people as individuals is a great way to show respect and build relationships. It might feel difficult to learn to work with new people. This can be especially tricky if you have any sort of communication barriers. However, that doesn't mean that it's not worth your effort.  Try to make any newcomers feel welcome. Try saying, "I noticed you bring your lunch. So do I. Do you want to go to the park and eat together tomorrow?" If you are the newcomer, you can find other ways to make an effort. For example, if you're in a new office, you can ask about customs and traditions. For example, you can say, "I noticed that you all seem to support different football teams. Can you tell me a little more about the sport?"
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Research different cultures. Be willing to make mistakes. Learn to be an ally. Get to know individuals. Make an effort.
Article: Unless your heart is set on vanilla, go with a chocolate icing. Starting with a brown-colored icing means you have to use less dye to achieve a black hue.  You can still start with a white icing, but you will probably have to add flavoring later to cover the bitterness of the dye. You can dye most icing--including buttercream, cream cheese, or royal icing--black by following these instructions. Because royal icing is white, you may need to add flavoring or cocoa powder to hide the bitter flavor. You may be limited to what they carry at your local grocery store, but if you have a choice between liquid or gel coloring, choose the gel. You will use less of the gel than you would the liquid coloring. If you cannot find black dye, mix equal parts red, blue, and green food coloring. You won't get the "true" black like you would from the store-bought black, but you can achieve a very dark gray that can pass for black. Adding the dye (especially liquid) may thin out your icing, which can lead to bleeding. Store-bought icing will probably be a fine consistency, as it is usually nice and thick.  To thicken, thoroughly mix in some sifted powdered (aka confectioner's) sugar.  If you don't want your icing any sweeter but it's not thick enough, add some meringue powder instead.  If you are using royal icing, drag a butter knife through the surface. Count how long it takes the icing to smooth back over. If it's between 5-10 seconds, your icing is thick enough. Any faster and you need to mix it longer or add a little sifted powdered sugar or meringue powder. The black dye may stain plastic. You may also want to wear an apron so you don't get any dye on your clothes. You will probably end up using a lot of dye--sometimes up to 1 oz or a teaspoon of coloring per cup--but it's better to add it gradually so you don't accidentally overdo it and end up with runny or splotchy icing.  Black icing can make your icing bitter and unpalatable. If this happens to your icing, look at section two (Addressing Common Problems) to learn how to cover the bitterness. If you are close to black but can't seem to get past a dark gray, give your icing a few hours to develop. The color will deepen over time, and in as little as one hour your dark gray icing can turn a rich, complex black.  The color will continue to deepen even once you've piped it onto a cookie or cake, so if you are super short on time you can go ahead and decorate immediately. Just be aware you won't have the opportunity to troubleshoot if the icing doesn't develop into the black you want.  Keep the icing out of direct light as it develops, as this can cause the black to fade.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Buy or make your icing. Choose a black food coloring. Thicken your icing if necessary. Transfer your frosting to a large glass or stainless steel bowl. Add black dye to your icing a little bit at a time until you reach the desired shade. Mix dye thoroughly so there are no lumps or streaks in your icing. Taste the icing. Cover your icing and let it sit. Decorate your masterpiece!
Article: Use a cloth tape measure to measure along the hairline. The tape measure should extend from the base of your hairline at your neck to the top of your hairline at the forehead.  The tape measure should wrap just above the ears on either side of your head. Do not pull the tape measure. It should lie flat against flattened hair, but it should not be taut. Place the end of a cloth tape measure at the center of your forehead, matching the end of the tape measure to the beginning of your natural hairline. Drape the tape measure over the crown of your head and down to the middle of the nape, where you natural hairline ends. As before, do not pull the tape measure. It should lie flat against flattened hair without being taut. Bring the end of the cloth tape measure to the uppermost point at which your ear connects to the rest of your head. Drape the tape measure over the crown of your head and back down to the same position of the opposite ear.  The tape measure should rest on both ears along the point at which eyeglasses or sunglasses would sit. Once again, the tape measure should lie flat against flattened hair but should not be pulled tight.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Measure around the head at the hairline. Measure down the center top of your head. Measure from one ear to the other.