Once the person has finished speaking, you can show them that you were listening by paraphrasing a key point or idea they shared. However, make sure that you do not simply repeat what they said word-for-word. For example, if the person has just told you about their day, you might say something like, “Oh, wow! It sounds like you were really busy, and that fiasco with your coworker sounds so frustrating! I’m glad you made it to yoga with your favorite instructor afterward and the day got a little better.” It’s fine to let the person know if something they said is unclear to you. In fact, this is a good way to show them that you’re paying attention. Try to avoid interrupting them, and wait for a natural pause to ask them to clarify.  For example, you might wait until they finish their next sentence, and then say something like, “Sorry, can you explain that again? I think I may have missed something.” Or, you might say, “Wait, what was that about your brother?” Once the person finishes speaking, you may want to encourage them to keep talking. This lets them know you’re listening and interested in what they have to say. It’s also a great way to keep the conversation going.  Try saying something like, “What happened after that?” or “How did you get through the rest of the day?” Or if they have just told you they checked out a new restaurant over the weekend, get more details by asking questions like, “What was it called?” “What kind of food do they serve?” “What did you order there?” and “How was it?” It’s important to stay tuned into your own needs and feelings to be a good listener. If you are feeling too stressed, distracted, or busy to listen to the person, it might be better to let them know that than to try and force yourself to listen.  For example, you might say something like, “I can tell this is important, and I don’t want to miss anything. Can we talk later today? I’m running late for a meeting.” Or you might say, “I really care about what you have to say, but I just can’t focus right now. Can we pick a time to talk tomorrow instead?”

Summary: Paraphrase what the person has said to show you’re listening. Ask questions to clarify what the person says. Use open-ended questions to encourage the person to say more. Let the person know if you’re not able to listen to them at the moment.


Automobile tire pressure gauges will not accurately reflect the much higher psi levels of bicycle tires. Because of their size and dimensions, bicycle tires react more quickly to changes in ambient air temperature, and psi will drop in cooler weather. For every 10° drop in temperature, tire pressure will drop about 2%. For example, if you head out during the day riding on 100psi and the temp is 90, when you head home that night, and it's now 60°, your tire pressure will be about 94 psi—enough change to be a noticeable difference. A tire that rolls great at 100 psi on a smooth road will deliver a harder ride on rough road. To help with traction on wet days, drop your psi by about 10.

Summary: Buy a bicycle tire pressure gauge. Check your pressure before every ride. Don't over-inflate.


The scene culture leans toward "party music" that you can dance to and is often electronic. The music is much more pop-oriented and makes great background noise for socializing and having a good time. Emo music, on the other hand, is not danceable, and is much more rock-centric.  The typical emo sound is dramatic in its emotional range and often features a dynamic of alternating loud/soft extremes. It tends to emphasize emotion rather than socializing and partying. Fast, punk-derived drum beats and heavily distorted guitars are common elements in the emo sound. Emo vocals are dramatic in mood and can even occasionally feature screams, moans, and howls. Lyrically, emo musicians are introspective and focus on emotional issues like sadness, confusion, love, anger, and pain.  Later emo musicians developed a slightly softer, more mainstream sound, but the lyrical content remained just as brooding and contemplative. Scene music does not put any particular emphasis on lyrical content and doesn’t feature the inward-looking, thoughtful vibe that is characteristic of emo. Recognizing and listening to the “right” emo bands is a key component of emo culture. Bands are slightly less important in the fashion-centric scene culture, but there are some bands that are overwhelmingly considered to be “scene bands.”  Some of the flagship bands in emo culture, both past and present, are: Rites of Spring, Embrace, Moss Icon, Drive Like Jehu, Fugazi, Jawbreaker, Sunny Day Real Estate, Dashboard Confessional, Jimmy Eat World, Get Up Kids, The Promise Ring, Brand New, My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy.  Scene band names to look out for are Blood on the Dancefloor, Owl City, Dot Dot Curve, Brokencyde, Scene Kidz, Millionaires, Jeffree Star and Hollywood Undead. Scene music also features a lot artists from electro-pop, dance-pop, dubstep, and house/techno genres. Names to recognize are Skrillex, Knife Party, and deadmau5. Occasionally, mainstream pop stars like Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj are also embraced by the scene subculture.
Summary: Listen for a dance beat. Assess the vocal styles. Know popular band names.