#How To Increase Restaurant Sales

[growingstories]

The artist

Jamie Henderson had always dreamed of becoming a successful artist. Growing up in a poor family, his ambitions were often misunderstood. But Jamie didn't let that discourage him. After graduating from art school, he took a job at a famous art gallery, hoping it would help him in his artistic journey.

However, working in the gallery turned out to be rather dull and uninspiring. Dealing with snobby and unappreciative clients was a daily occurrence. Jamie's talent remained unrecognized and he didn't know how to lift off his career.

One day, as Jamie stood by the window, lost in his thoughts, he noticed a handsome guy walking by. Smiling, Jamie couldn't help but smile back when the guy looked his way. To his surprise, the next morning, the same guy walked by again, holding two big Starbucks cups. He offered one to Jamie, a delicious coffee with caramel and cream. This ritual continued for rest of the the week, and Jamie began to look forward to these encounters.

It turned out that the handsome guy's name was Richard Pearson, a successful partner at an investment bank. They started talking and getting to know each other better. Jamie felt an instant connection with Richard, who was in his mid-30s. His charisma and intelligence intrigued Jamie.

Their daily meetings evolved into dates, and Richard invited Jamie to dinner at a very expensive restaurant. Jamie hesitated, knowing he couldn't afford such a luxury. But Richard insisted, assuring him that this one was on him.

The following week, Richard took Jamie on another extravagant date. This time, Richard suggested that Jamie could make a painting in return. The idea excited Jamie, and he poured his heart into creating a beautiful painting. Richard was in awe of the artwork Jamie presented him and suggested that he use the artist name "James Hampton" when displaying it in his family house in the Hamptons.

Their dating continued, and Richard consistently showered Jamie with gifts and extravagant experiences. He brought him coffee every morning, took him to expensive restaurants almost every night, and their intimacy was truly amazing. Jamie, despite his talent, felt guilty that he couldn't do anything in return for Richard's generosity.

One day, Richard proposed that they visit the Hamptons together so Jamie could create a large art piece. Eager to pursue his art free from distractions, Jamie accepted the offer. Richard let Jamie stay in his beach house for a week, ensuring he had everything he to needed create his masterpiece.

Secluded in the peaceful winter Hamptons, Jamie spent his days immersed in his art. Richard had food delivered daily indul,ging Jamie's every craving. The lack of exercise and constant indulgence took a toll on Jamie's body, and he gained a few extra pounds. He realized he had forgotten his running gear and couldn't find the motivation to work out.

When the weekend arrived, Richard picked Jamie up, and their passion reignited. Jamie nervously showed Richard his completed artwork, and Richard was awe-struck by the beauty Jamie had created. Back in the gallery, the routine continued, with sugary coffee and lavish dinners. Jamie's weight continued to increase and he struggled to fit into his clothes. He showed Richard a tight shirt, embarrassed by his expanding waistline. In return, Richard offered to take him to an expensive tailor for new shirts and trousers.

As months went by, Jamie's talent flourished, and his art pieces gained recognition. Richard saw great potential in his protege and proposed a life-changing opportunity. He suggested that Jamie leave the gallery and become a full-time professional artist, using Richard's Hamptons beach house as a studio. Richard would arrange gallery spaces twice a year for Jamie's pop-up exhibitions, and they would split the sales proceeds, with Richard receiving a kickback. Moreover, Richard would cover Jamie's monthly living expenses and make a financial investment to support his artistic career.

Jamie, overwhelmed by the offer, eagerly agreed. He had always dreamed of dedicating his life to art, and's proposal Richard seemed like a come dream true. The only concern Jamie had was about his weight and fitness. Richard assured him not to worry, suggesting that he should just go for runs and hit the gym on weekends.

With the support of Richard, Jamie created artwork after artwork. Each day, more delicious home-delivered meals arrived, and Jamie indulged in every bite. He asked Richard to cut down on the food deliveries, but Richard assured him that any leftovers could simply be thrown away. Fueled by constant indulgence, Jamie's weight continued to climb, and after three months, he had gained 25 kilograms.

Surprisingly, Richard didn't seem bothered by Jamie's increasing size. He loved being Jamie's mentor and enjoyed their time together, focusing solely on Jamie's artistic development. The summer arrived, and preparations for the gallery began. Despite feeling self-conscious about his weight, Jamie worked diligently on his art. Richard, understanding Jamie's insecurities, took him to the tailor for new clothes, assuring him that his talent and art were what truly mattered.

The summer in the Hamptons was a whirlwind. Parties, lavish dinners, and Jamie's artwork received great acclaim. He had become a well-known and respected artist, even with his growing weight. Richard, proud of his protege's success, couldn't have been happier. His investments had paid off, and Jamie and Richard were a content and loving couple.

The routine of their life continued after the summer. Jamie's talent brought in more and more money, allowing him to relax and focus on his art. His revenue increased, and he raised his prices accordingly. Unfortunately, as the weeks passed, Jamie's weight continued to rise steadily, rendering most of his clothes unwearable., Richard however, loved Jamie unconditionally and cherished their life together.

And so, the story of Jamie and Richard, their love and artistic success, went on. Jamie's body grew heavier, but his artistic abilities continued to shine. Richard treasured him more with each passing day, happy to have found a partner who understood his ambitions and supported his dreams. And so, they lived their lives passionately, showing that love and art could flourish regardless of size or appearance. The end.

[xthelastknownsurvivorx]

Jiaduobao X Star Rail Collab Promo Video Translation

Happy lunar new year! I translated the jiaduobao x hsr collab promo video (note that this follows the English localization and is not a literal translation)

Translation below the cut!

"Whistling Flames Fortune Economics" Special Episode

[Tingyun:] Hello friends in the audience Welcome to a special episode of "Whistling Flames Fortune Economics" I'm your host, Tingyun

[Aventurine:] Hello, everyone Your humble servant Aventurine at your disposal. Just a cog in the machine known as the IPC's Strategic Investment Department Wait, Miss Tingyun, aren't we supposed to be discussing business? Why are we on TV?

[Tingyun:] No, no. Securing sponsors is vital for the Corporation And this program is exclusively sponsored by "National Herbal Tea" Jiaduobao A can of Jiaduobao for the new year, to wish you good fortune and prosperity

[Aventurine:] laughs No wonder Miss Tingyun had someone tell me to dress festively

[Tingyun:] Director Aventurine is so thoughtful At first glance, I would have thought a young master from the Xianzhou had come instead

[Tingyun:] We've talked and laughed enough Today I've prepared a basket of businesses with great vitality

[Tingyun:] On Jarilo-VI there's a new artistic rising star with unlimited business potential

[Aventurine:] To audiences at home, this artistic style may be a bit ahead of its time How about we look at the next page

[Tingyun:] Our sponsor's business is showing great vitality as well Jiaduobao herbal tea intends to enter the cosmos

[Aventurine:] Coincidentally, Madam Jade recently invested in a hotpot (restaurant) chain

Badge text: Perfect with hotpot

You won't be angry with Jiaduobao by your side (T/N: I think this is a pun on the report title?) Invested in

[Tingyun:] The last of the pile is also my favorite one An illustrated book of the universe's beauties, part two Photos capturing a moment in time of them It was a big hit after the first issue came out

[Aventurine:] Sounds like a great business indeed However…

[Tingyun:] However?

[Aventurine:] My game account pulling service has already been fully booked

T/N: That is, he can't help us collect more (beautiful) characters digitally

[Tingyun:] You should be aware Our guide of beauties thus far includes A lazy general A gentle scholar A taciturn swordsman All that's missing is a graceful and elegant director, to open up the cosmic market

[Aventurine:] Photography requires the permission of the subjects How can I make the decision on behalf of those potential colleagues?

[Tingyun:] Director Aventurine must be joking In terms of grace, you're the face of it for the Strategic Investment Department

[Aventurine:] Or perhaps Miss Tingyun is playing a joke on me?

[Tingyun:] Perhaps… This could change your mind

[Aventurine:] It seems you don't know The rights to my image have long been sold to the Corporation In exchange for some coins

[Tingyun:] We're willing to offer an authorization fee of the highest standard

[Aventurine:] If the budget is limited You could just find a prettier professional model.

[Tingyun:] But budget is always tied to sales.

[Aventurine:] What if there is a more suitable candidate? The Astral Express members would be pretty good

[Tingyun:] Mr. Director, you really must enjoy joking around How could you ask such important customers to come personally?

[Aventurine:] Since Miss Tingyun is determined to have her way Why don't we leave it up to fate?

[Tingyun:] I think… I just signed a deal with a very expensive new model

[Aventurine:] Miss Tingyun is too modest. Then I'll wish us a happy collaboration

[Tingyun:] Then against the backdrop of the herbal tea shop's pretty scenery, Director Aventurine, let's begin our collaboration

[Tingyun:] Wishing all of our friends in the audience a new year of Fortune and prosperity Ablaze with money to spend

[Aventurine:] May you have good luck Advancing your education and increasing your salary

[Both:] Drink a can of Jiaduobao And your new year's horoscope will bring wealth and fortune

[Aventurine:] What's this?

Channel Name: Whistling Flames Chamber of Commerce – Flagship Store

[Tingyun:] Oh my This is a really great omen Just now I received some good news The Jiaduobao in our live broadcast studio has sold out tonight! What's that? The pre-sale photocards of Director Aventurine have also completely sold out!

So this isn't "Fortune Economy"

T/N: As in, this is only Tingyun's livestream, not a joint TV show

[Tingyun:] TV shows are long-outdated Business models must also keep up with the times

[Aventurine:] Please send the livestream contract to my email address

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for exposing some parents' lies in front of their children?

So I ( at the time 25F) used to be a fast food worker in a mall until last year. In the restaurant we had a very eye catchy gumball machine, and families that walk past the restaurant tend to get stopped by children asking for these. Some parents are okay with it but most are not. Those who refuse to get some tend to deal with the situation questionably sometimes. The ones that get on my nerves the most are the parents who expect ME to convince the children not to buy some, as if I weren't busy already fixing their food. It's a small booth so I'm the only worker there and it's hell when it gets busy. However, for the sake of professionalism, I do try and talk the children out of it. "It's not healthy" is my favorite argument, actually my only argument, I can't think of another reason not to buy it. It doesn't work obviously but at least I tried?

The other type of parents that annoy me are the parents who outright lie to their children to get them to stop asking for gumballs. Like "the machine is broken", "it's just for display, not for sale" are the most popular lies I could remember right now. It's none of my business when this happens, even though I don't agree of this method of parenting. Children are my favorite people (if anyone remembers me, I sent the AITA about hanging out with children and ditching adults- so you'd know how much I love these little people) and I hate it when adult treat them as if they were dumb? Needless to say, most children don't even believe those lies and would argue with their parents. "Why keep it there if it doesn't work/ not for sale?"

Now, whenever children argue with their parents, some times the parents would look for someone else to back them up on their lies. They'd look at me and wink. "It's broken, right?" "It's not allowed for public use, isn't it?" And expect me to agree with them.

I really hate it when this happen. They demand that I side with them adults against those impressionable and innocent children??? To commit acts of dishonesty in the face of a cute child that just wants a candy of a certain color? Okay but my issue is the fact those customers demand I lie. Just like I said, I hate doing that because it's like I'm mocking their their intelligence and encouraging bad parenting. The other reason is, I'm a Muslim and lying is a sin, and putting me in a tough spot where I'm forced to sin is uncomfortable and I draw the line at it. I live in a highly religious Muslim area too so it's not like they aren't aware of that either. Like, I'm not claiming to be perfect, I have absolutely lied before and committed other sins, but I refuse to increase my sin count doings something I'm totally against? The third reason is, I'm Autistic so I happen to be very blunt, so I'm not used to lying at all, I'll suck at it if I try anyway.

So here's where I might be TA:

When the parents seek me to help cover their lies, I act as if I don't understand what they want me to do and contradict them. For example they'll say "Hey, the machine is broken, isn't?"

I pull my innocent confused face and say something along the line of "Oh no, it works perfectly fine, just insert a coin to get it to work!"

If they say something like "It's not for sale it's just decoration, right?"

I'll reply with "no of course you're allowed to use it, sir."

And so on.

I had a blast doing that, for once, I get to be slightly rude with Karens who can't call me out because their children are right in front of them so they'll have to admit they were lying. Also I work alone so there's no superior they can report me to, and it's a huge chain restaurant so one sigle bad review will cause no harm and even go unnoticed, but it's not like any parent bothered looking up how to report me since they are so busy trying to get their children to leave, which means I get to do whatever I want. Also management was very nice for a change and they always shot down any complaints about me.

However, I'm not a parent myself so I don't understand their struggle to keeping their children under control.

Anyway, AITA for not lying with them and exposing them in the process?

What are these acronyms?

[penvisions]

garnish {chapter 3}

Pairing: Chef! Joel Miller x Bartender! Reader

Summary: Thoughts about Joel Miller have you desperate for something you hadn't sought out in quite a while: human touch. So when your friends suggest a girls' night out, you readily agree. It's just your luck that the very man plaguing your thoughts happens to be at the bar picked out for the night.

Word Count: 6.5k

Warning: alcohol consumption, drunken interactions, creepy flirthing, unwanted attention, fighting, bar fights, nonconsensual touching (not joel), protective joel, injuries, blood, degrading talk, power dynamics, abuse of power, restaurant lingo, triggers associated with the food industry, smoking, cigarettes, joel miller is a conflicted man, kissing, drunk makeout session

A/N: this story is literally keeping me from climbing the walls in my apartment, i've applied to over 20 jobs the last few days and made even more calls to see if places were hiring. the issue isn't finding something, it's finding something willing to pay me for my experience and skill set. but i found out a local coffee shop is opening a new location and i should be getting a call back with interview times for that today, they need cooks and bakers and i can definitely do that

ao3 || series masterlist || main masterlist

It was Wednesday, your normal day off for the week, but Joel had scheduled you two hours of prep, the shift reminder notification early that morning. It had woken you up, having allowed yourself to sleep in after the rather busy shift the night before. It had been a record-breaking sales day, the concert downtown only blocks away bringing increased foot traffic. It had been a week and a half since that terrible Sunday shift where you had finally given into hunger and had ordered food only to be told you had messed up. You had gone hungry that night, nothing in your kitchen at home.

You hadn’t spoken to Joel beyond confirming that dishes were ready to go out and helping to take updated pars out to the servers’ board for them to be aware of throughout services. Lists were left atop the sandwich prep station, and you completed it every shift you had before making your way toward the bar. They were in his writing, some things new with recipe page numbers for the guidebook stored on the expo line.

You had completed a few things on your list and were moving onto the next thing when his booming voice sounded from the walk in.

“Where are the rest of the yellow onions?”

Everyone in the kitchen looked over their stations, including you. The yellow onions you had chopped up for the red lentil soup were sitting in the pot you had atop a portable burner on the left side of your station. Cutting board beside it as you chopped the carrots that were to be added next.

“Whose used yellow onions today?” His brow was furrowed, lips downturned as he gazed around the kitchen. The three confirmations of ‘here, chef’ had him moving intimidatingly through the space, the first two seemed to come out of their interaction unscathed. But you felt like you weren’t about to be so lucky.

“When did you start the prep for these? They look nearly caramelized already.” He stirred the wooden spoon resting in the deep pot, getting a feel on the state of the onions cooking inside. You had stepped aside, hands behind your back as you let him inspect your station. He turned to watch as you answered, professional air about you as you briefly met his eyes with your own. You spoke in an even tone, worried about how he was going to react. He had already proven himself comfortable with cutting you off and denying you food that you had paid with your own money. And that was when you hadn’t actually done anything to warrant that type of reaction.

“I started this half an hour ago, gathered them from the walk in as I gathered everything else, chef.”

“Did you happen to notice that you grabbed the last ones? There are none in the box, left empty on the shelf. That you too? Don’t understand the way things work here, do ya?” He turned with a sharpie held tight between his fingers and he jutted it at the dray erase board beside the walk-in door where things low in stock were to be written down. “In case anyone is unclear on how this kitchen operates: things low in stock are to be written on that board there BEFORE we run out. Boxes or containers that are emptied while grabbing items are to be discarded or put into dish, not left on the shelf for the next person to find.”

“Yes, chef!” The chorus rang out evenly throughout the room.

He turned back to the portable burner and clicked it off, turning the nob off and the whoosh of gas going out was loud in the slight hum of busy work that the kitchen returned to once he had finished speaking.

“Why don’t you go clock yourself out.”

“Chef, there-“ You tried to talk to him, let him know that you had left nearly three pounds of onions left in the box. It wasn’t empty when you left the walk-in. You had been too wrapped up in your work to notice who else had gone in afterwards, though you wouldn’t have sold them out to begin with.

“Go. Clock out, now.”

“Yes, chef.” You wouldn’t raise your face to meet his look. Trying to keep your anger in check lest you give him a real reason to go off on you. Instead, you moved to grab your sharpie laid out over the recipe binder. The small field notes pad of paper beside it with the notations for a double batch written neatly on the page it was open to. Joel blocked your movement with a sidestep, his broad figure blocking your reaching hand.

“Now means now.”

“My-“

“Is now mine. Go.”

Your eyes flicked up and you tried your best not to pin him with the annoyance that was humming through your very blood. This man was nothing but a nuisance, you had only agreed to come into the kitchen because they were short staffed. But it was degrading work, to be around this man who deemed nearly everything below par and had extreme standards for the way things were to be done. The two instances of common decency he had offered you had to have been a fluke, maybe he had been extra tired and worn out those days, didn’t mean to let his guard down. Either way, you were quickly getting over the fluctuating temperatures of his attitude. At first it had been jarring, but you weren’t about to let it get to you any longer. You were determined to face it head on or dish it back out in what ways you could safely do so without risking your job.

You were lagging outside of the back door, standing with the bar back, whose name was Millie and a server who were both on break. You each had a cigarette in hand, swapping stories about the worst pick up lines that you had been approached with. You had removed your apron, it was folded carefully in your crossbody bag to be washed when you got home, simple black long sleeve Henley along with it. That left you in your black denim with that kitschy cute heart belt buckle and a dark green racerback. You had left your hair up in its normal fashion of low buns on either side of your head, short black beanie atop your head.

“You gotta admit,” Your laughter ringing through the air accompanied by the giggles of the two girls in front of you. “He was honest, what better way to start a conversation, though I could’ve done without the-“

All the laughter cut off as the backdoor opened and Joel appeared with a bag of trash. The two younger girls snubbed out their waning cigarettes and scurried inside, deeming breaktime over with his sudden arrival. You watched as Joel tossed the bag over the lip of the nearby dumpster before removing his gloves and tossed them in as well. He removed a pack of his own cigarettes from the breast pocket of his chef’s coat, and you could see the spiral wiring of your notebook peeking out over the top of it. His eyes took in the way your lips moved as you took a long drag from your own, bringing your phone out to ignore him.

The snick snick snick of his lighter resulted in a deep grunt, and you looked at him out of the corner of your eye. The cigarette he had pulled out was between his plush lips and his dead lighter was being pushed back into the pocket of his chef’s pants. When his eyes flicked to you, your attention snapped back to your phone. He cleared his throat, and you cocked an eyebrow up at the sound, turning to give him the barest hint of attention. He was leaning heavily against the side of the building, his hands stuffed in his pockets as he regarded you.

“Do you-

“Nope.” You took the last drag before snuffing out your own cigarette and tossed the butt into the pail beside the door. You started walking toward the parking lot, your truck beeping with a press of the control in your hand. The strap of your bag over your shoulder caught the man’s eye as you began to move away.

“You’re just gonna walk off from your shift?”

“Today’s my day off, chef.” You didn’t look back at him but could tell that your words had affected him.

“Shit, I-“ He straightened up and moved away from the wall, taking a step toward you, his hands coming out from his pockets to take the unlit cigarette from between his lips.

“Don’t worry about it. Now you don’t have to worry me using up all your inventory, right?” You pulled another cigarette out from the pack still in your hand along with your phone and brought a lighter out from your own front pocket. You took a long drag and blew the smoke in his direction over your shoulder, aware of his gaze on your back and you hopped into the cab of the truck.

The next day, everything that was on your prep list had been completed and the one for today had instructions on where to find the mise for each recipe. Everything was already prepared for you and were just combining and finishing the last few steps of each one.

“Hi there, what can I get started for you?” You placed a coaster down on the bar top before a glass of water, eyes coming up as you smiled at the new guest. Your smile faltered a little when the face of your biological evolution professor beamed back at you, but you didn’t let your surprise show other than that.

“I heard a rumor that the bartender here made the best whisky drinks. Here to test out that theory.” His voice was smooth, something you had often spoken aloud to your friends that made the class lectures rather easy. His baritone deep and the ways in which he spoke with such passion and interest in his material was an added bonus to understanding the class subject matter than most.

“Let’s get to testin’, what your preferred whiskey?” You busied yourself making the drinks that had been rung up the last couple of minutes, the man having sat to the side of the well in the last seat along the right side of the bar.

“I’m a Bullet man, myself. But I’m up for whatever you think is best.”

“Oh, well, of course the one I think is best is our top shelf.” You tossed the man a playful smirk, aware that it was a possible line being crossed. But neither of you were on campus, you were at work, and he was one of your bar guests. His laugh was beautiful as he knocked his head back, the line of his throat catching shadows from the strong lights over the bar.

“I actually prefer Woodford, it’s not too expensive but its leagues above some of the stuff on the shelves like Evan Williams.”

He was funny, quick-witted. Matching your jokes as fast as he could. Bringing up documentaries he had recently seen.

“No, but like that’s the thing! There’s been no discovery of this caliber ever before, its unprecedented in nearly every aspect.” You were making a round of lemon drops for a group of girls on the other end of the bar, loading up the shaker and then securing the smaller component over it before lifting your hand and shaking it. As you did so, you reached over to grab the coup glasses you would need for the pour. A figure appeared at the well, taller than the servers and barback, who had gone on break a few minutes ago.

You glanced over at Joel, the man had his hands atop the plastic mats, eyes taking in the organized garnish container and the jars of small straws and picks for the servers to complete their drinks. You nodded at him to let him know you saw him and would be with him as soon as possible before you held the shaker tight in one hand and used the heel of your palm to knock the smaller part loose. Your hand was steady as you parted the two components enough to strain the bright pink liquid from the ice, not looking up from it.

“To actually have fossil evidence of not just any Hominid species, but of a newly discovered hominid species, with a crafted tool in their fuckin’ hand! Like, I got chills, and I was pretty sure my attention was plastered to the screen. Didn’t even touch the food I made that night. I immediately started just taking notes throughout the whole thing.”

“To be fair, it was just as intriguing to find out that the child’s body had been in the cavern wall, not even properly buried like the rest of the bodies in the Dinaledi chamber.”

“Oh my gosh, I know! That opens a whole plethora of questions about what that child was even doing, was he the one carving those symbols into the wall, was he alone- hold on one moment.” You moved over to the other side of the bar, two coup glasses cradled carefully in each hand, and you took the four of them over to the girls who had been watching you make them. They were all bright smiles and excited giggles as you told them you used Meyer lemons for a sweeter drink and added a bit of cherry juice for the color.

“She’s a busy one, guests seem to love her.” Your professor smiled over at Joel, who was watching you flit around behind the bar much like he had been admiring all night. Joel’s eyes snapped to the man beside him and he just nodded, crossing his arms over his chest.

“She knows what she’s doing.”

“Not much of a talker in class, but her papers are beyond wonders. The way her mind makes connections is amazing. And the way she uses her words so carefully, so eloquently.”

“You go to school with her?” Joel questioned, mind going over the small interactions he’s had with you recently. You tended to stutter over your words around him, as if you were hesitant to speak in the first place. He didn’t like the comparison, now, seeing you in your element and recalling the way you had always been professional around him. But this, you behind the bar and completely enthralling as you entertained so many people and mixed drinks like it was second nature. Firing back jokes and conversation as if it was the easiest thing in the world. Your laughter ringing through the space of the dining room. He felt the pull of a frown, not liking the shift he was causing in you lately.

“Oh no, school is way behind me. I’m her professor.” The grunt Joel made seemed to display his trepidation at the revelation and the man was quick to jump into defense mode. “It’s not what it looks like, she’s at work and I’m just here on a friend’s word that it’s a good place. Didn’t even know she was here until I sat down.”

“Sure.” Joel said in a tone that said he didn’t buy a word the man was saying.

You were back with them by the well, professional smile in place as you addressed Joel. You were busy tucking a receipt and some bills of money into your server’s book, secured underneath the counter and atop a cooler beside the drink station.

“Yes, chef?”

“Bourbon for the steak sauce. And whatever amber you have on tap.” He tried to muster up the courage to lighten up his face from a frown, but the way your eyes flashed away from him told him it didn’t work.

“Heard, chef.”

You busied yourself with retrieving the bottle of bourbon he had asked you to tack onto your order. He hadn’t wanted to deal with the liquor vendors himself and sure you would find a better deal than him anyway.

“It’s gonna be a 6.7 percent amber, it’s smooth and the notes of pecan to cut the malt. Only one I have on tap at the moment, that okay?” You talked over your shoulder, picking up on the waves and attention from the other patrons of the bar top, reaching to get more than the one glass needed for just Joel’s request. You poured two blondes, an IPA, and a stout and placing them in front of those who had been nursing them all night before going to pull the tap for the amber. It poured for maybe two seconds before it sputtered and compressed air forced itself out of the spicket.

“I told Millie to change out the keg last night, I’m sorry, chef. It’s gonna take me a minute before I can step away and replace it.” Your brows were furrowed in a worried expression, not wanting this to be something he used against you. You were really hoping to get something to go later, needing to finish a paper that was due tomorrow before class. He must’ve clocked the rising panic in your eyes because he squared his shoulders before shoving off the drink station.

“I gotcha, which label am I looking for?”

“Oh, um, Riverbank Red.”

“Heard.” He turned to move toward the small walk-in just behind the bar, the heavy door opening easily underneath his hands. You could hear him rustling around inside, the hiss of him removing the empty keg and then the clunk of him placing the new one in its place. The two knocks on the wall alerted you that it was all set and you pulled the tap, compressed air working its way through the hook up before foam began to stream. Letting it run for a few seconds, you turned around and grabbed a fresh pint glass for Joel’s drink. You used the previous one and filled it, cutting off the tap and took a long pull from it.

When you lowered the glass after your drink, you found two pairs of eyes on you. You looked between your professor and Joel, both on each side of the corner of the bar. Some of the foam from the outside of the glass when the tap died out had run down your chin and settled on your chest. The cut of your shirt was a little low, your simple, silver chain necklace catching the soft glow of the bar lights much like the foam.

You avoided meeting either of their gazes as you poured a second pint for Joel and walked it over. Before you could place it atop the drink station beside the bottle of bourbon already waiting, he reached out for it and his thick fingers brushed yours. His beautiful, brown eyes flashed down and caught yours, full of something you didn’t recognize, prompting you to pull your hand away as you struggled to catch your breath.

His teeth clicked with the clenching of his jaw, his hands tightening around items he came over for and he turned to make his way back to the kitchen.

“He’s not much of a charmer, is he?”

“He just has an asshole voice, don’t mind him.” With a somewhat fake smile plastered on your face, you turned back to your professor and started making him another drink as more rang through the printer. “Now, what were the most concrete dates we had archived for allusions to tool use?”

The alcohol in your system was washing your stress and anxieties away. Moving your body along to the song that was bumping from the speakers of the bar that held a small dance floor. Your friends’ bodies were moving alongside you, along with you, tangling with your own in a heady and exciting way. It was such a relief to not have any worries at the moment, only blipping thoughts of ‘oooh this is a good song’ and ‘another drink, yes please’.

You were taking a break, downing a glass of water and ordering a round of shots for everyone. There were five of you altogether and they huddled around you as you passed one to each of them, smiling widely at the bartender across from you. He just chuckled with a shake of his head and moved on down the bar to help out two waiting men. If you had been paying attention, you would’ve recognized one in a particular. But you were too preoccupied with the rather loud cheers the girls were trying to agree on before someone finally just shouted, ‘drink up, bitches!’ and you were downing the shot along with them.

The burn of it down your throat was anticipated and you gathered the empty glasses from them while they sputtered and coughed, not able to handle it as well as they normally could with already being more than tipsy. You were leaning over the bar a little, on your tip toes to place them atop the washer on the plastic pad you knew the bartender liked to gather used cups before loading them up.

A large hand found the exposed small of your back, your crop tank top allowing for the skin to be on display. It was dangerously close to the waist of your skirt, and you jerked back with a start, face contorting into one of anger.  

“Hey, who the fuck do you think you are?” You settled back on your heels, the height of them making you a little taller than normal. Your eyes swept over the crowd around the bar and found that your friends had returned to the dance floor, leaving you to deal with this on your own. Not that you couldn’t, but it would’ve been nice to have a witness. The man in question was rather tall, blonde, nice suit, but his forwardness left little to be desired.

“Just helpin’ to hold ya steady, looked like you were about to flip over the bar, little lady.”

“Keep your hands to yourself.”

“Didn’t mean to offend-“

“Yeah, well, ya did. Don’t fuckin’ touch me, got it?”

“C’mon now. You were gettin’ all close and personal with your friends, maybe I wanted a feel for myself.”

The man stepped closer to you, and you could smell the alcohol on his breath, cheap and cloying as it wafter over into your personal space. His hands were coming up as if he were going to wrap them around your hips and pull you to him. His eyes were raking slowly up and down your body, taking in the short skirt and crop tank top you had deemed appropriate for the night. The cleavage peeking out of the top of your shirt glistening with the glitter body spray you had used before leaving your apartment.

“Leave me the fuck alone.” You spat, stepping away from the man only to collide with another’s back who had been passing by.

“Watch where-“ Joel of all people turned around, a scowl on his face. You felt like a deer caught in headlights, totally caught off guard that your boss was here in the same bar. The beer in his grip had sloshed over his fingers when you slammed into him and it was dripping to the already sticky floor. There was another man beside him, similar height and build. He had the same brown eyes and you realized they must be related.

Joel’s eyes took in the slightly panicked air about you, gaze moving behind you to see the man you had been fleeing from in such a haste.

“He touch you?”

“Don’t know if that’s any of your business, old man.” The man stepped forward and hooked a finger on the strap of your crossbody, pulling you backwards and you stumbled at the bold move. “We’re just two friends having an intimate-“

You maneuvered your stumble into a pivot and raised your clenched fist to deck the guy across the face, cutting off his words. You felt the crack of his nose beneath your knuckles, the action splitting two of them open. There was a gasp and a bark of laughter from behind you.

“I said, don’t fuckin’ touch me.” You sneered, anger lighting you up from the inside out. You didn’t pay the dull ache of your new injury any mind as you brought your arm back closer to your body, but you did flinch when the man’s hands shot out and his nails scratched along your neck where he had tried to grab you.

Joel was moving with a grunt of effort before you could fully register that the man had lunged at you.

Body slamming into his and pinning him face down against the bar with a hand tight on the back of his neck. His forehead had cracked against it, and he had shouted out weakly at the pain the action must’ve caused. His arms were twisted behind up, Joel’s right one holding them tight by the wrists. As he did so, the man with Joel had pulled you away from the confrontation, hands far more gentle with you than the man now pinned to the bar.

“You okay?” Joel looked back at you, his eyes hard and his expression schooled into one of control despite the way he had just cracked that man’s head on the top of the bar. When you didn’t answer, he looked to the man who had pulled you further out of harms way. “Tommy, she okay?”

There was no time to answer him, the bartender was out from behind the bar in a second, security that checked identification alongside him and they were forcefully guiding the man toward the door. He was putting up a rather good effort, but the two men were stronger than him. He turned with one last look over his shoulder and spat at you. The spray of it startled you and the tears that formed were angry, wet, ugly things.

Suddenly, the girls were swarming you, all talking at the same time and guiding you toward the bathroom to help get you somewhere safe to gather yourself. You let them guide you away from Joel and what you assumed was his brother, not glancing over at them lest they see more of the tears than they already had.

The bathroom muffled the booming music enough to hear your own thoughts, the lights a little brighter to help you process what had just happened. The girls were dabbing wet paper towels underneath your eyes to wipe your smeared makeup, to sooth the scratch marks on your throat. They plopped you down on one of the chairs off in the corner, removing your bag from around your body and just allowed you to take however long a moment you needed. Someone fetched a bottle of water from somewhere and you gulped down half of it without taking a breath. Your hands were shaking and you lifted your hand up to inspect the damage on your knuckles.

Someone gasped and it startled you, making you jump in your seat and then the bartender was there with a first aid kit.

“Me’n my boyfriend kicked him out, some cops were walking down the way and he taken to the station.”

He said as he kneeled in front of you, tearing open a package of sterile gauze. He dabbed some disinfectant on it before gently taking your hand and patting it across the top of your hand.

You found yourself back up at the bar, seated in a stool with your bag laid over the back of it. Your friends had checked on you again and pouted at your insistence of not going to another place with them. They wished you a good rest of the night and told you to check in with them when you got home, you returned their kind words.

You downed the last dregs of your cocktail, a vodka something, and gathered your keys from your purse.

Heels heavy, you stumbled over your own feet as your head swam and the lights of the bar flared. You reached out for the back of the stool but ended up grabbing onto a man’s arm. It was warm and strong and white-hot desire raced down your spine at the contact. Bringing your face up to apologize, it was lost in your throat as you realized it was none other than Joel Miller you were holding onto. You stepped back, turning from him to properly retrieve your bag this time.

“You’re not the boss of me here, lemme go.” You struggled against the hold he had on your upper arm, where he had turned you to face him. He seemed to realize you were uncomfortable and he dropped his hand, allowing you to turn back to face the bar. Jerry looked from your annoyed expression to the man behind you, taking in the situation and trying to determine how best to deal with it.

“Hey, man, good on you and your brother for helping us get that guy earlier, but I don’t think she likes the attention.”

“She’s drunk, you really gonna let her leave alone?”

“She comes here a lot, knows her limits and she’s got me to look out after her.”

“She’s drunker ‘n you think.”

“I am not.”

“Darlin-“

“I am not your anything, Mr. Miller.” You turned back on him with such a glare he was surprised you could hold the look in your state. He could see the way your head was lolling with every turn, your movements loose and uncoordinated. “This is a public space, I am not your prep cook and you are not my boss. You can’t lord over me and refuse me food here like at work. And I want…I want French fries.”

You stumbled as you turned around to face him again with heat behind your words. Eyes flaring in anger as he tried to reach for you again. Your body sung where one of his arms wrapped around the small of your back, helping you to keep upright as your balance faltered. The heels weren’t helping. You wished you had just stayed home, the sting of being ditched by your friends, the sting of his treatment at work and the workload of your classes, all of it was a lot and tonight was supposed to help you get out of your head, not make things worse.

“You-“ You swayed on your feet, leaning back from him slightly. The length of his forearm supporting you as you did so and stabbed a finger into his chest to emphasize your next words. Ignoring the way that his chest was firm and hot through the fabric of his shirt, he would probably have chest hair and it would be as peppered as his scruff… “You’re mean.”

His brother was doing his best to smother his laughter behind a hand, but you could hear it and you pouted even more.

“Your little brother is laughing at me and you’re a meanie.” You shoved away from him again, the warmth of his arm gone from your back as you turned around to retrieve your bag from the back of your stool. “I’m leaving.”

“The hell you are, you can’t walk, let alone drive.”

“Don’t need help. I’ve been on my own for as long as I can remember.”

“Sweetheart, you-“ Tommy tried to step in, hoping that maybe he could help out the situation. It was clear they were both worried but you were just being so stubborn. Jerry was right, you didn’t like the attention, you didn’t like getting felt up and your boss had been there to witness the aftermath. That he was still there and seeing you in such a way.

“I’m not your sweetheart.” Your voice held more bite than you thought you were capable of in your current state. Tommy stepped back with his hands held up in surrender. His brows furrowed as he shared a look with his brother.

“Lemme call you a cab, please.”

“No, I don’t need anything from you. You made it clear how you feel about me, barking at me all day when I’m helping you with your kitchen because the staff don’t wanna show up and deal with you.”

“Oof, that’s a hard hit, brother.” Tommy reached over to help you drape your purse strap over your shoulder, the crossbody secure over your form and he stepped away as you pushed at his hands much like you had done with Joel. “You really did a number on her.”

“Lemme just, please, lemme take you home. Need to make sure you get home okay.” His voice was pitched quiet, leaning a little into your space with an open expression. His hands were at his sides, not reaching out to touch you again, his fists clenched at his sides. Your eyes lingered on the way his mouth formed around the words and you swallowed the harsh ones you were about to fire back at him. All you could manage was a small nod.

That’s how you found yourself in the passenger side of his own truck, waiting in a short line of a drive through.

Once your fries, and some for him too, had been passed through the window, he was following the spoken instructions to your house. Watching the way you watched things pass by the window as you munched on the salty treat in your lap out of the corner of his eye. The dried blood on your split knuckles making his stomach lurch as he thought of that man putting his hands on you and the look on your face when you tried to flee. The look on your face when you had run into him, eyes wide and panicked.

You had calmed down, now in a lazy mood after the adrenaline packed events of the night.

“You do know what you’re doin’, just don’t think I’ve ever said it out loud ‘fore now.”

“Hmm?” You rolled your head along the back of the seat to face him, bringing a fry up to the seal of your mouth as you did so. He had to look away from the sight, your entire body and demeanor relaxed. Your expression was so open and curious, eyes soft as you looked over at him. Containing none of the animosity and worry he seemed to pull from you at work as you looked him over. He was in a pair of dark wash jeans that his thighs looked good in as he drove, a simple white Henley for a shirt. It allowed for the tan of his skin to pop, the grays that speckled his hair looking good in the lights of passing cars and lamps.

“You-uh-you, nevermind.” Joel’s deep voice wavered before he cut off, not being able to handle the earnest gaze you had pinned him with, his hands tightened on the steering wheel.

“Mkay, whatever you say.” You turned back to look out with window, letting him know that your complex was around the corner.

He parked along the curb beside the gate that opened up into the parking lot. Watching him as he hopped out of the cab and toward your side of the vehicle, his expression hard to read. He was opening the door and leaning into the can to undo your seatbelt. Not wanting to risk you trying to do it and spill your fries, knowing you would probably tear up at the mishap should it occur. He said as much under his breath when you asked him what he was doing and you couldn’t help the giggles that bubbled up from your chest as you agreed with him, it would be tragic.

Once unbuckled, he reached for the fries in your hand and put them back in the bag they came in, tucking it into your purse that was still across your body.

“Will you let me help you step down?”

At your nod, his hands came around your waist, the wideness of them allowing his fingers to span across your back in a tantalizing way. He lifted you a little, holding most of your weight as you hopped down from the cab. His arms tensed around you as you felt yourself wobble, forgetting you were in heels for the entirety of the drive. Another round of giggles bubbled up and you found yourself leaning more into Joel’s space. His body was warm where you were pressed up against his front, the scent of cedar stronger tonight than it had been all those nights ago when he insisted on making you food to take home.

“I wish you liked me.” You spoke quietly into his neck, lips brushing against the skin there as you did so.

You felt his fingers twitch where they held onto you before you were pulled back a little so he could look down at you.

“Darlin’, I do like you, that’s the problem.”

“Doesn’t have to be.” You wrapped your arms around the back of his neck, pulling yourself closer to him.

“You’re not in the right state to be talkin’ about this right no-“

Surging up, you smothered the words from his lips with your own. His arms tightened around you, pulling you flush against him as he kissed you back. As if he was unable to stop himself despite the words he had just been ushering. It was all teeth and tongue, sparking heat that pooled low in your middle. A whimper sounded in the air, Joel swallowing it as he licked into your mouth. Your nails dug into the curls at the base of his neck and you pulled.

A deep groan rumbled through his chest and you pulled away to catch your breath, looking at the face of the man who had been consuming your thoughts for weeks now.

He looked back at you, took in the way your eyes were blown out and dilated, the puffiness of your swollen lips, the quick breaths you were taking to recover from his mouth on yours, the heat that he was causing was all consuming and you knew that he could feel through your skin underneath his hands. He was swooping back down to capture your lips, his hands moving up to cradle your face in his hands as he did so and you melted at the action.

Consciousness hit you like a jolt and you were shooting up from your bed. The covers fell from you to pool around your waist, and you looked around the room, nothing looked out of place but something felt off, so incredibly off. Your bag was on the bedside table, an empty greasy bag crumpled beside it and your lips were tingling with the memory of pressing them against someone else’s.

“Oh, fuck.”

You had drunkenly kissed your boss.

And he had kissed you back.

previous chapter || next chapter

[crooked-wasteland]

With all of this pro-Israel and Free Palestine movement, I've always wished there were ways to support small indie businesses without having to worry about sacrificing food, transportation, technology and stuff all because the companies who own them support Israel in some way. I do apologize for being political but hear me out!

Tumblr, unfortunately, is one of those places where people can get pretty extreme in my opinion such as pushing everyone to not buy McDonald's because you're like giving money to them and boycotting every company that doesn't support Palestine. I feel like these small indie businesses would have to work hard to win more people over and branch out to market themselves across the board.

I remember a post somewhere stating that people need to do their due research and understand how things work before taking action. For example, what if I need to buy food, clothes or a laptop except they're all owned by companies that profit off the war in Gaza? We can't simply boycott them unless there's an alternative.

Also, celebrities are also likely to get criticism because they either endorse a company that doesn't support Palestine or might not be aware of the impact the companies they're working for could have on the region.

I just wanna share this anonymously because I doubt putting this out on my blog where everyone knows who I am isn't exactly the best idea. I don't want people here assuming I'm being generally dismissive. I hope you have a great day and you're free to ignore this if it's not relevant to you.

Thank you for your post Anon, and I completely agree.

There is a pandemic of a lack-of-knowledge on how corporations affect local economies and how small businesses really only survive in middle class and wealthy communities.

The concept of Food Deserts is one many people are unfamiliar with. But big businesses typically enter communities with extremely low prices and wide variety of products, like Walmart for example, to out-compete the smaller businesses in the area. They can afford to swallow the loss in sales by increasing prices in established regions, undermine indie and small businesses and then, once the consumers have no one else they can go to, Jack up the prices.

Capitalism relies entirely on the short memory of consumers. No animal on the planet has less object permanence than a consumer.

Meanwhile, McDonald's isn't really a restaurant chain, but a corporate landlord. The issue with that example in particular is that franchisees may actually dedicate a portion of their earnings towards pro-Gaza groups, but the portion they make that goes to McDonald's will be sent to Israel. In the fires in LA, I saw a picture of a McDonald's on fire and people talking about corporate influence on global warming and had to point out that McDonald's didn't lose much of anything if that location is a franchise. But whoever owns that store has lost everything.

There's so much more to how these companies function, and restaurant franchising is no different than any other gig economy hustle. And the people who lose are the tenuous middle class and the working class.

It's not black and white, and it's all about removing transparency and separating consumers from workers and workers from the means of production. Marx wrote about the economy in Das Kapital how we went from a society of Consuming from need to consuming for the sake of consumption.

Commodity (C) and Money (M) should have always functioned as C-M=C. But we have a world where the exchange is M+C=M. The second M somehow magically created value where there wasn't any before. Chasing a number for the sake of the number going up is genuine insanity.

But point blank, if you are a consumer, there is no such thing as ethical consumption. If you are interested in creating Money and not a Commodity, you're doing society wrong.

[newsfromstolenland]

Ontario's primary liquor retailer says it will not be opening some stores during the ongoing strike, walking back its initial plan to reopen select locations with limited hours, starting Friday.

In a statement posted on its website Sunday, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) said it will be "re-allocating the personnel that were planned to open LCBO retail stores for in-store shopping" to online retail sales operations.

"This pivot means that we will be able to improve how we serve Ontario bars and restaurants to help increase product selection, availability, and expedited delivery," its statement reads, adding that more details will be shared directly with its customers."

This means LCBO retail stores will no longer be open for the duration of the strike."

The company previously said it would open 32 locations for limited hours after 14 days of a strike.

Roughly 9,000 unionized workers with the LCBO began strike action more than a week ago. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents the striking workers, has called for the provincial government to either reconsider that part of its plans for privatized booze sales or make the LCBO whole for lost revenue.

As of Friday, talks between the workers' union and the LCBO have broken off completely, with no end to the strike in sight.

Full article

Tagging: @allthecanadianpolitics

[beardedmrbean]

The argument that America, and Americans, are irredeemably racist just took a significant blow.

Earlier this year, a working paper from Harvard Business School that was written by three scholars at the University of California, Berkeley, Harvard, and the University of Washington looked into the effect of Yelp making the "race of a set of Black business owners salient to customers" — in other words, labeling certain businesses as "black-owned."

The results? They found that “this feature substantially increased demand for Black-owned businesses — in the form of more calls to the restaurant, more delivery orders, and — using cell phone data from a different platform — more in person visits to the restaurant.”

This is quite interesting, as I have been reliably informed by some of our leading voices on race that the United States is one of the most racist places in the world. Author of How to Be an Antiracist, Ibram X. Kendi, wrote that in all the research he has done, he has not seen a "singular historical force arriving at a postracial America” (as in, he does not believe there has been any racial progress). Not only that, but all whites are racist, too. As CNN wrote, “If you’re a white person in America, social justice educator [and bestselling author of White Fragility] Robin DiAngelo has a message for you: You’re a racist, pure and simple, and without a lifetime of conscious effort you always will be.”

But if America was just as stubborn, and Americans were just as rotten to the core, as these supposed thought leaders suggest, then there is no reason to believe businesses would see any boost when the race of its owner was made public. In fact, for their theses to hold up, we would have to observe a significant drop in patronage. The owners of these businesses would be completely opposed to being labeled “black-owned” if they thought it would reduce sales. That this is not the case demonstrates the extent to which we have progressed, contrary to the claims of Kendi.

The point of discussing this study is not to suggest that we ought to expand the use of racial classifications of businesses on apps such as Yelp. Rather, it is solely to point out that the narrative of America as having made no progress over the past 400 years is simply wrong.

We continue to face a number of problems related to race and racism. There is no denying that. But that is by no means the whole story. The fact we have gone from a country with a widespread practice of slavery to one where 94% of people approve of marriages between white and black people is no small thing. For reference, in 1961, only 4% approved of such marriages. No progress? You have to be joking.

The shtick of Kendi, DiAngelo, and their fellow travelers has undoubtedly made them quite rich. But it has taught us very little that is actually valuable about the state of race in America.

[stevenbasic]

GITJ Post 319: Lunch with Abby

“So one of my girls, Lakshmi, tells me he’s all upset that I didn’t let him help me move,” said Melissa Monroe, Office Manager at what would soon no longer be a specialty geriatric medical practice on the city’s outskirts. She sounded a little frustrated. “You know I couldn’t, right? For, like, obvious reasons?”

“Yeah,” laughed Abby, her friend of several years and the sales rep/handler assigned to this project which - to an increasing number of people - was maybe becoming a little far-reaching, “Are they still mad about that? Your, uh…” Though increasingly bold these days, Abby still had to be a little concerned about prying ears. “…landlords?”

“Yeah sorta. My mom is too,” answered Melissa, spearing an artichoke heart from her plate of salad, “But she’s away for a while. I’ll deal with her when she gets back.” The two women were sharing lunch at a local restaurant that Thursday afternoon, and Melissa was glad she had Abby to talk to. Things had been a little funny with him these past couple of days, and it’d be nice to have a fresh perspective. Abby was a few years older, in her early thirties though she still looked so pretty, and Melissa had come to value her wisdom. Abby just seemed to…get her. Plus - she dressed so nice, so professional! Melissa always tooked to her as an example of how even a girl with a figure can dress for the corporate world. Abby was great. 

Knowing this about her ‘friend’, how Melissa respected her, made it a bit harder for Abby to say what she’d needed to say, and sometimes do what she needed to do. Melissa was a sweet girl, but she’d developed a little bit of a rebellious streak, and not everyone was happy with the way things were starting to proceed. Abby had, through this whole assignment, been tasked with keeping the course straight, the waters calm. “I also don’t know if it was a good idea,” she offered, choosing her words carefully, “You had everything you needed at your old place.”

“Yeah, I guess, I know. They’ve been so nice,” Melissa agreed, allowing that fact to her friend and doing her best to sound grateful, “I just wanted to be somewhere, even just for this little while, where I felt like I wasn’t being watched all the time.”

“I get that,” Abby conceded, forking a morsel of tortellini from her own plate. She understood it must be hard to be a girl in Melissa’s unique situation. But she also knew how they needed to keeps tabs on her, and him. “And it’ll be, what, a month or so before your mom gets back?”

“So I hear,” Melissa replied, “and by then the new places should be ready for us, if, like, all the construction keeps on schedule.” She bit her lower lip, took a moment as a waitress came by to refill her water glass. “But in the meantime it’s just that, well, when I want to be alone with him, I wanna be alone with him.”

After the waitress had left, Abby Solowicki smiled at her charge, knowing she needed to appear warm and supportive, “You really love him don’t you?” she asked. Of course she’d seen the reports, the EEGs, the bloodwork. There were quantifiers attributable to all this, and Melissa’s readings was off the charts.

“Omigod you have no idea,” gushed Melissa, immediately, a throb of wetness causing her to clamp her thighs tight, “I can’t…I can’t even describe it.”

This is what they hadn’t planned for, Abby surmised, watching the wave of emotions light Melissa’s face. She’s getting so caught up in this, much more than they thought she would. “I’m so happy for you guys,” she offered, smiling genially but knowing the answer to her next question before she asked it, “And he’s told you he feels the same way?”

Ugh, no. But the idea of it, imagining his quivering face looking up at her and professing his love made Melissa squirm again. “No…he hasn’t,” she breathed in exasperation, but able to actually hear his stammering little voice speaking those words: ILY. She wanted that so bad!! But…but…she understood, what he’s been going through.  “I’ve had guys tell me a lot of things,” she said to Abby, in explanation, “and I want him to…like…mean it, when he finally says it.”

Abby nodded.

Despite logic, despite the fact that it all made sense, him taking it slow, Melissa Monroe felt her blood start to simmer. She’d told him she loved him…why didn’t he feel the same?! Was there something wrong with her?!? Her friends were supportive, telling her that she was imagining it, his reticence and distance, but she’d definitely felt it this week. Had she gone a bit too far? Over the weekend, on Tuesday night? Been too much for him? Too aggressive? She knew he was fragile…

To Abby, to her friend, Melissa described her nights with him. How she’d manipulated him with her body, and with what she knew to be his weaknesses. She described her shows of physical strength. And then: “I was there, in his bed with him yesterday morning, and I just, y’know, with my perfumes. I pretended I was asleep but I  made him do…whatever I wanted. It just feels so good to play with him! But now maybe I feel a bit bad.”

“It’s okay. You’re just experimenting with your power,” Abby reassured her, knowing the course she had to take, “You’re growing, you’re growing stronger every day. It’s all so you can be better for him.”

Melissa nodded, taking a sip of her water and feeling acutely the weight of her chest, the musculature in her arms, back, shoulders. She could sense the ever-filling ocean of ultra-potent pheromones just barely held back by the floodgates under her skin, along with the hint of other budding abilities. She was becoming more powerful every day, and she knew it was true, she could feel it was true…it was all for him. The thought brought her a new wave of wetness, and she nearly sighed.

“Listen, Tits,” Abby began again, using the playful nickname she’d adopted for Melissa, “Men are all nervous, they have been for a while, but especially now after the election. They’ve been in denial but lots of them have seen it coming.” Abby, herself, had to control her voice and the excitement in it. “Imagine how he must feel, now. All that he’s lost, how he’s…like you said…getting smaller. He’s been surrounded by women all his life, and you’re surrounding him with even more, women who are bigger and stronger and smarter. Like all of them he’s worried about losing his rights, his independence. Don’t you think he’s nervous? That he’s scared? Maybe he sees his life slipping away and doesn’t know what the future is going to be.”

Oh godddddd, Melissa groaned, privately. Why was this so thrilling to her??

“So this is my advice,” Abby spoke, smiling seeing the effect she was having, “show him that you can be a comfort, that you can be protection for him now that things are changing. Did you watch the camera feed from his apartment last night, with him and that girl…what’s her name? Lilly?”

“Lakshmi,” Melissa answered, in correction, “No. I figured it was, like, a private moment for them.”

“Well I read the transcript, quick,” Abby explained, “He’s looking for it - comfort and protection. You’ve seen some of the notes on him, right? The history? He really wants a mother figure. And, jesus, Melissa…look at you.”

To that, Melissa blushed. It’s not that it was a surprise, the more…maternal aspects of her appearance being pointed out. She’d been called “mommy” by online admirers more times than she could count.

“I’d say soften up on him, calm his anxieties like only a woman can. It will get you what you want. If he’s scared, afraid that things are changing? Use that. He likes your boobs as much as you say? Great. You guys are supposed to be going out this weekend? Don't go out, stay in. Give him a night with your breasts.”

Melissa snorted. But then pictured it, how she could steer the evening, what she could wear. Omigod I could make him melt. “Like, a date with my boobs?”

“Haha sure a boob date,” Abby laughed, “that’s, like, every man’s dream, these days. He’s been nervous about you being strong with him, when you get excited? Show him how gentle you can be. You already take care of him in so many ways. Show him just how much of a mother figure you already are, and what things could be like.”

Melissa giggled, again, with the thought of it. She pictured herself in an apron, pumps and a beehive, pulling a tray of cookies from the oven. He was sat at the table like a little boy, a glass of milk - strike that, a bottle of milk - on his…haha omigod…high chair. 

“You know what I’m talking about, right?” Abby asked.

“Sure, yes, right,” Melissa answered, biting her lower lip in the arousal she was already feeling. Was it getting hot in here haha? “Lakshmi says he’s feeling a little ignored. I didn’t want that. I had just wanted to give him some space, let him process things, not freak him out by being too…me,” she continued, “but maybe…”

“I think what he wants is for you to be the most ‘you’ you can be,” Abby pressed, seeing how she could salvage this situation, “He doesn’t want to be ignored? You have a lot of love for him? Smother him with it. Drown him in comfort. Show him he’ll never be ignored again.”

“Oh wow, Abby,” Melissa breathed, fanning herself with her napkin, “I could drown him so good…”

“Yes you could,” Abby encouraged.

”And he likes me big, he wants me bigger, I can tell,” Melissa added, “And now…I want to do it for him. Grow. Grow more.”

“You know what they’re saying in the labs, right? About you?” Abby spoke, leaning in and dropping her voice, “You have the potential to grow much, much bigger.” This was starting to work out really, really well.

“Yes oh god yes Abby,” Melissa replied, caught up in the plans, “He’s nervous, about the changes? I can show him that he needs protection. I can show him how nice it could be for him with women in charge.”

“You’re so sweet and caring…”

“I can be sweet and caring. I can be kind, gentle, considerate…”

“Yes,” Abby continued, “You’ve already proven you’re big. You’ve proven you can physically dominate him so easily. But looking after him, protecting him, caring for him? That’s what he needs right now. That's something you must constantly show.”

Melissa forked forcefully into an olive, a slice of pepper, and thought back to gentle moments with him, how hard and quivery she’d made him. “He likes it when I´m kind…very much…” She then thought to herself, as she imagined his face: You like it kind? Then I´ll give you kind. She chuckled to herself, finding how aggressive she’d become with her salad. “I want to be a comfort to him, I do,” she said, “but I think he kinda likes it both ways.”

“Sure sure,” Abby encouraged, “men can be funny like that. We’ve all got to realize that the old stereotypes are breaking down, roles are reversing. Men now like us to show them the rough, take-charge lovemaking. They want to be dominated, they want us to toss them around like rag dolls. Men are at the gym less, women more. Secretly they want to be, like, brutalized, made to feel small and weak and terrified of us. But then, they’re needy and - you’re right - then they want us as Mommy to comfort them.”

“Oh godddd Abby,” Melissa laughed, “stop you’re going to make me burst. I just want to boink him.”

“Haha nothing wrong with that,” Abby replied with a glimmer in her eyes, “When you’re in a relationship it’s just important to understand the other persons feelings. He’s like all men these days. What he really wants and needs is a mommy girlfriend.”

She knew this. 

“He needs the comfort, the protection. But also the guidance, the discipline. He needs someone to tell him what to do, reward him when he does what you want, and sometimes punish him when he disappoints you.” 

Abby watched her friend nodding, absorbing her advice, and continued. “I do it with the guy I’m dating, ” Abby said to Melissa, “Like, when we’re alone, just at home, I make sure to praise the little things he does, cleaning up after himself, wearing an outfit I like. It makes him feel good and it helps, it helps solidify our roles.”

“Jay does like that sort of thing too…” Melissa offered, nodding. 

“And I make sure he feels dependent on me, too,” Abby continued, deciding to allow herself another slice of the bread on the table, “Like, I make more money then him, and I want him to know it. When we go out in public, for example. Usually, I’ll either pay for whatever we plan on spending money on that day or make him pay for his stuff with my money if we are buying little things for him.”

“ooo yes I can do that!” Melissa giggled, remembering how good it felt to pay for his dinner. 

“For instance, a shirt that we just bought for him. We were at Hera’s. He carried it all around the store and all the way up to the register. I let him do that all by himself,” Abby began, “When we went to check out, I opened my purse and handed him my card, the cashier standing right in front of us, people watching. That part’s really

important, that he knows others are seeing it happen.”

“Was he embarrassed?” Melissa asked, feeling like she should be taking notes. 

“A little. But I talked him through it, how to slide the card into the machine. And I signed for it of course, telling him he’d done a good job. He liked that.”

Melissa giggled. She hadn’t met Abby’s new boyfriend yet but he sounded like a keeper. 

“And so,” Abby continued, shifting herself in her seat on the leather bench, “it all looks innocent enough to the person behind the register, the other people in the store, but him just knowing what was going to take place with that shirt and having to buy it with mommy’s money was really powerful. It’s just little things like that.”

“God I want to drive back to the office and take him shopping with me right now,” Melissa laughed. 

“Haha yeah I loved every minute of it,” Abby conceded, “and I think he did too.” At that, she leaned in, over her plate of chilled pasta and crusty bread, to commiserate with her asset. On cue, Melissa leaned in too. “And then, in the parking lot, after getting him seated, fastening his seatbelt for him, I gave him a quickie.”

“A handjob?” Melissa laughed, catching herself snorting too loudly. 

“Yeah a little reward, for being so good,” Abby smiled, leaning back again with a satisfied smile, “just like you’re going to reward him, this weekend, for doing everything mommy says…”

===============================

yes I have one

[volansoft]

Mobile App Development Company Jaipur | VolanSoft

Transform Your Business with Jaipur's Leading Mobile App Development Company

In today's digital age, having a powerful mobile presence isn't just an option – it's a necessity. As a premier mobile app development company in Jaipur, VolanSoft Technologies understands the unique challenges businesses face in creating impactful mobile solutions. We've spent years helping local businesses, startups, and enterprises transform their digital presence through innovative mobile applications. Our journey as a mobile app development company in Jaipur began with a simple mission: to help businesses connect with their customers through seamless mobile experiences. Today, we're proud to have served over 150+ clients across various industries, from e-commerce to healthcare, delivering solutions that drive real business growth.

The Mobile App Revolution in Pink City

Jaipur's tech landscape has evolved dramatically in recent years. As businesses encirclement digital transformation, the demand for quality mobile app development services has soared. We've witnessed firsthand how local businesses have transformed their operations through custom mobile applications. For instance, one of our clients, a traditional Rajasthani handicraft retailer, saw a 150% increase in sales after launching their mobile app.

Why Choose a Local Mobile App Development Partner?

While there are countless app development companies worldwide, partnering with a local mobile app development company in Jaipur offers unique advantages. Our team understands the local market dynamics and cultural nuances that can make or break your app's success. We're not just developers – we're your neighbors who speak your language and understand your business challenges.

Our Development Process: Where Innovation Meets Tradition

At VolanSoft, we blend modern development methodologies with traditional business values. Our process begins with understanding your vision through personal meetings at our Jaipur office. We then craft a detailed roadmap that aligns with your business goals. Our experienced developers use the latest technologies while maintaining the personal touch that Jaipur businesses are known for.

Custom Solutions for Every Business

Whether you need an Android app, iOS app, or both, our team delivers solutions tailored to your specific needs. We've helped local restaurants create order management apps, developed inventory tracking solutions for textile manufacturers, and built customer engagement platforms for retail businesses. Each project is unique, and we treat it as such.

The VolanSoft Difference

As an established Top mobile app development company in Jaipur, we pride ourselves on:

Deep understanding of local market needs

Transparent communication throughout the development process

Competitive pricing without compromising quality

Post-launch support and maintenance

Regular updates and performance optimization

Beyond App Development

Our expertise extends beyond just mobile apps. As a comprehensive digital solutions provider, we offer e-commerce development, Shopify development, and custom web applications. This integrated approach ensures your mobile app works seamlessly with your entire digital ecosystem.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Mobile Apps in Jaipur

The mobile app landscape in Jaipur is evolving rapidly. We're seeing increased demand for AI-integrated apps, IoT solutions, and blockchain applications. As your local technology partner, we stay ahead of these trends to ensure your business remains competitive in the digital space.

Ready to Transform Your Business?

If you're looking to develop a mobile app that truly resonates with your audience, let's have a conversation. Visit our office in Jaipur, and let's discuss how we can turn your app idea into reality. With VolanSoft Technologies, you're not just getting a mobile app development company – you're gaining a long-term technology partner committed to your success.

[probablyasocialecologist]

Chicken sales have benefited from the relentless propaganda war against red meat, as a result of which, some consumers have been persuaded on the basis of selective and misrepresented data, that chicken is a better choice for planetary, animal and personal health. “I don’t eat red meat, but I do eat chicken sometimes.” How often have you heard that said? Superficially, that stance might seem enlightened, but the reality is that in this country, UK or EU reared red meat from truly sustainable, pasture-based systems will almost always be a more genuinely progressive choice than chicken. UK-reared beef, lamb, goat and venison is produced more extensively than chicken (and pork, for that matter). Sheep, cattle and other ruminants are rarely raised exclusively indoors in Britain. Farmed deer are still in the field for the best part of their lives. These animals live on a diet of mainly pasture and forage, making use of land that is often unsuitable for growing other crops. They can flourish eating grass, herbs and shrubs, effectively transforming sunlight, rainwater and soil nutrients into some of the most nutrient rich foods available to us. While many UK-reared cattle are now finished on a diet that includes some cereals, they typically spend the greater part of their lives grazing outside, and for people seeking the most sustainable meat option, produce from 100% grass-fed animals is available. The more cereals that are fed to an animal, the less resource efficient its milk or meat is. This is because productive arable farmland, that could be used for growing food to be fed directly to people, is used for growing lower grade livestock cereals, from which only 17-30% of calories are returned for human consumption as meat or milk. Alternatively, the cereals used for animal feed may be grown in other regions of the world and shipped vast distances – which brings us back to chicken. We eat a billion chickens each year in these isles, and they do not lead remotely content or natural lives. Almost all (95%) are from fast-growing breeds, intensively reared in vast, tightly packed, indoor facilities and they are slaughtered at as little as 28 days. While chickens are a relatively small bird, their environmental footprint is significant. The Soil Association’s report, Peak Poultry, details that roughly three million tonnes of soya are imported into the UK each year, and most of it is bought by chicken producers to fatten chickens. Typically, this soya comes from Latin America, a crop that contributes to deforestation and pesticide use in biologically important areas, such as the Amazon and Cerrado. There are at least 1,000 intensive poultry units throughout the UK. This marks an increase of more than 30% in the past decade as chicken has been marketed as a more compassionate, healthy and ecological alternative to red meat. Given the complexity of the debate, it’s no wonder that so many of us accept that chicken is a more ethical choice. Put chicken on the menu, whether that’s in school dinner halls or restaurants, and you are likely to invite fewer religious objections, while ‘flexitarians’, and those who describe themselves as ‘plant-based’ eaters will view it as ‘the least bad’ of the possible meat options.

[abhishekomg]

How Scent Marketing Companies Are Transforming Businesses

In today’s competitive business landscape, standing out and creating memorable experiences are crucial for success. One of the most innovative and effective ways to achieve this is through scent marketing. By leveraging the emotional and sensory power of fragrances, businesses can connect with their customers on a deeper level. However, implementing a successful strategy requires expertise, which is why working with professional scent marketing companies can make all the difference.

These companies specialize in crafting custom scent solutions that align with a brand’s identity, creating atmospheres that evoke emotions, enhance customer loyalty, and encourage repeat visits.

What is Scent Marketing?

Scent marketing is the strategic use of fragrances to influence customer emotions, behavior, and perceptions. Studies have shown that the sense of smell is directly linked to the brain’s limbic system, which governs emotions and memories. This connection makes scents a powerful tool for shaping how people feel about a space or brand.

From retail stores and restaurants to healthcare facilities and luxury hotels, scent marketing has proven to be an invaluable method of creating memorable experiences.

Why Partner with Scent Marketing Companies?

Collaborating with experienced scent marketing companies ensures that your strategy is not only effective but also tailored to your brand’s specific needs. These companies offer:

Custom Fragrance Solutions

Professionals create signature scents that represent your brand and resonate with your target audience.

Tailored fragrances evoke the desired emotional responses, whether it’s relaxation, excitement, or trust.

Advanced Technology

Scent marketing companies provide high-tech scent delivery systems, including programmable diffusers and fragrance machines.

These tools ensure even and consistent scent distribution across spaces of all sizes.

Expert Guidance

Professionals have a deep understanding of scent psychology and help businesses select fragrances that align with their goals.

They also provide insights into how scents can influence customer behavior and improve brand perception.

Odor Management

Beyond creating inviting aromas, these companies help neutralize unpleasant odors, ensuring a fresh and clean environment.

Brand Differentiation

A unique scent sets your business apart, creating a lasting impression that customers associate with your brand.

Industries Benefiting from Scent Marketing

Retail Spaces

Retailers use scent marketing to create engaging shopping environments:

Signature fragrances help establish a strong brand identity.

Fresh and inviting scents encourage customers to linger longer, boosting sales.

Fragrances create a luxurious and welcoming atmosphere that shoppers enjoy.

Hospitality

Hotels and resorts benefit greatly from the emotional impact of scent marketing:

Custom scents in lobbies, guest rooms, and spas enhance the guest experience.

Fragrances like lavender or chamomile promote relaxation and comfort, ensuring guests associate their stay with tranquility and luxury.

Restaurants and Cafes

Food establishments use scent marketing to improve the dining experience:

Inviting aromas like vanilla or cinnamon stimulate appetites and create a cozy atmosphere.

Custom scents align with the restaurant’s theme, making the experience more memorable.

Healthcare Facilities

Hospitals and clinics use fragrance to improve patient and visitor experiences:

Scent marketing companies help create calming environments with scents like eucalyptus or peppermint.

Fragrances neutralize clinical odors, ensuring the space feels fresh and welcoming.

Malls and Public Spaces

Large commercial spaces use scent marketing to increase visitor satisfaction:

Signature scents in malls make the space feel more inviting and enjoyable.

Fragrances enhance the shopping experience and encourage repeat visits.

Choosing the Right Scent Marketing Company

Selecting the best scent marketing company is essential to achieving your goals. Here’s what to look for:

Experience and Expertise

Choose a company with a proven track record in delivering high-quality fragrance solutions.

Look for client testimonials, case studies, and reviews to gauge their expertise.

Customization

Ensure the company offers tailored solutions, including signature scents and flexible scent delivery systems.

A good scent marketing company will work closely with you to understand your brand’s identity and needs.

Advanced Technology

Opt for a company that provides state-of-the-art fragrance machines and programmable diffusers for consistent results.

Sustainability

Consider companies that prioritize eco-friendly and cruelty-free fragrance options to align with modern values.

Ongoing Support

Look for companies that offer maintenance services, fragrance refills, and customer support to ensure seamless implementation.

Leading Scent Marketing Companies

Some of the top scent marketing companies that have revolutionized how businesses use fragrances include:

Wikka Fragrances: Known for crafting custom aromatherapy and scent marketing solutions tailored to various industries.

ScentAir: Offers advanced scent delivery systems and a global presence, serving businesses of all sizes.

Aroma360: Specializes in luxury scent marketing solutions for high-end brands and hospitality businesses.

These companies combine expertise, innovation, and creativity to help businesses unlock the full potential of scent marketing.

Conclusion

Scent marketing companies are redefining how businesses interact with their customers by creating immersive and memorable sensory experiences. From retail stores and restaurants to healthcare facilities and hotels, the strategic use of fragrances has become a key element in enhancing brand identity, customer satisfaction, and loyalty.

[enchantingqueenzombie]

Fun and Functional Design

Besides local showrooms, an increasing number of restaurant house owners are turning to online suppliers for his or her wholesale furniture desires. The convenience of on-line looking offers restaurant homeowners access to a broader choice of merchandise, typically at competitive costs. Varied websites cater specifically to the hospitality sector, providing a big range of restaurant furniture options starting from ancient to modern styles. Websites such as Restaurant Furniture.web, Wayfair Business, and WebstaurantStore provide in depth catalogs that embrace everything from tables and chairs to specialized equipment. This digital approach permits restaurant house owners to pool furniture check prices and styles easily, scan client reviews, and read detailed product descriptions, all of that can facilitate them create informed getting selections.

How to Arrange Outdoor Resin Furniture

Small restaurants and cafes across the United States increasingly turn to Nardi's economical italy Nardi Chaise chair choices when furnishing out of doors dining areas. These institutions appreciate access to European-designed seating while operating within restricted budget constraints. The whole's basic collections give essential functionality Nardi Chaise Lounge costco and clean aesthetics while not requiring premium-level investment.

Outdoor Resin Furniture Accessories You Need

Competition among wholesale suppliers within the Seattle market has driven innovations in each product offerings and service levels. Major distributors maintain showrooms and warehousing facilities throughout the region, from Tacoma to Everett, ensuring economical delivery and quick replacement availability. The market's competitive nature has led to the development of specialised services like weather-specific consulting, serving to restaurants optimize their furniture selections for specific microclimates and locations throughout the larger Seattle space.

Tips for Shopping for Outdoor Resin Furniture

As lifestyle trends evolve, the importance of shared meals and social gatherings remains a cornerstone of the American experience. High-finish massive dining tables facilitate these interactions, providing a house where relationships are nurtured and recollections are created. Whether or not it’s a family Nardi Chaise Sunlounger nz gathering, a vacation celebration, or a business meeting, the dining table serves as a backdrop for connection and conversation. This enduring significance adds intrinsic price Nardi Chaise Sunlounger sale to high-quality items, reinforcing the concept that investing in a very well-crafted dining table is not simply a purchase but a commitment to enhancing one’s lifestyle Nardi Chaise Sunlounger gold coast and fostering meaningful experiences.

Keeping Your Pieces Looking New

Online procurement platforms have gained significance in New York's restaurant furniture market, with many native suppliers maintaining digital catalogs and ordering systems. These platforms typically integrate with inventory management systems, enabling restaurants to trace orders and coordinate deliveries effectively. The flexibility pool furniture to match products and prices on-line helps operators make informed decisions while managing procurement costs.

Outdoor Resin Furniture for BBQs

Ultimately, the choice of wood species for outside furniture will significantly influence each the functionality and aesthetic appeal of out of doors areas. Whether or not opting for the classic strength of oak, the natural fantastic thing about cedar and redwood, or the lux

[viexports]

6 Common Questions About Private Label Rice

In today's competitive food industry, businesses are always looking for new ways to stand out. One strategy that has proven effective is creating private label rice products, allowing companies to offer unique rice lines under their own brand names without the complexities of production. Whether you're a retailer, wholesaler or restaurant owner, private labeling rice can help your business stand out. But like any business strategy, questions are bound to arise.

1. What Is Private Label Rice?

Private label rice refers to rice that is produced by one company and sold under another company's brand name. In other words, businesses partner with a rice manufacturer to create a product that is then packaged and labeled according to their specifications. This allows companies to offer their own brand of rice without having to manage the production process themselves. Rice can range from premium varieties like basmati to more affordable options, depending on the target market.

2. Why should I choose private labeling for rice products?

Opting for private labeling gives businesses the ability to control their brand identity and product offering without the need for costly investments in production facilities. This approach allows businesses to select high-quality rice from trusted suppliers while focusing on branding and marketing. Additionally, private label products are often more cost-effective because businesses can negotiate better prices with manufacturers, helping them stay competitive in a fluctuating market.

In addition, private labeling allows businesses to offer customization. Companies can choose specific types of rice, such as organic or premium varieties, and create packaging that aligns with their brand values.

3. How does a partnership for private label rice work?

Partnering with a manufacturer for private label rice usually involves a few important steps. First, businesses need to select a reputable rice producer that meets their quality standards. Once a partner is selected, businesses can negotiate terms, including product specifications, packaging design, and order volume.

Next, the manufacturer produces the rice according to the business's requirements, including any custom packaging. The rice is then delivered to the company, ready to sell under their brand name. This process allows businesses to avoid the complexities of rice production and instead focus on marketing and sales.

4. What are the benefits of offering private label rice?

Private label rice offers several benefits for businesses:

Brand recognition: By offering rice under their own name, businesses can create a unique product that attracts loyal customers.

Cost-effective: Since production is handled by a third-party manufacturer, businesses save on operational costs and can focus resources on marketing and distribution.

Customization: Private label rice allows companies to tailor the product to their specific needs, whether it's offering a special variety or focusing on packaging that stands out on store shelves.

Scalability: Working with an experienced rice producer makes it easier to scale operations quickly. Businesses can increase their order volume without worrying about the complexities of production.

5. How do you ensure quality in private label rice products?

Maintaining quality is important when selling rice under your own brand. To ensure a consistently high-quality product, businesses should:

Choose a reliable manufacturer: Select a rice manufacturer with a proven track record of producing quality rice.

Request certification: Look for manufacturers with certifications such as ISO, HACCP or organic certification, which show they meet industry standards for quality and safety.

Request samples: Before building a long-term relationship, businesses should test the rice to ensure it meets their standards.

Regular quality checks: Perform regular quality audits to ensure the product remains consistent over time.

By focusing on quality assurance, businesses can build customer trust and encourage repeat purchases.

6. Is private label rice a profitable business opportunity?

Yes, private label rice can be a highly profitable business opportunity. By outsourcing production, businesses can reduce their initial investment costs and focus on growing their brand. As global rice demand continues to grow, businesses that offer quality products at competitive prices are well positioned to succeed. With the right strategy, private labeling can be a sustainable way to grow and scale a rice business.

[rainbowsky]

Hello Rainbowsky,

Can you tell me what heat index is? When cdramas get released a lot of people talk about this including the drama team and I don’t really understand what it means.

Hi Anon,

It's used to describe how much hype a drama is generating. How much it is being viewed, mentioned, recommended, shared on social media, etc. etc. Basically - how popular is it?

No one knows for sure how those numbers are determined, but it's likely that every platform uses a slightly different formula. And there's no 'universal heat index', either. There's the Tencent heat index, the iQIYI heat index, etc.

Ultimately it's a bit of a hype/PR thing, and somewhat meaningless outside the platform that's sharing the info (and frankly, somewhat meaningless within the platform, too).

Platforms talk about the heat index in hopes of generating a higher heat index. Kind of similar to how claiming that tickets for an event are selling fast will generally increase ticket sales, or how hearing that a new restaurant is lined up down the block will make people want to get in line to check it out.

People are inherently sheep, and they are drawn to things other people are into. If they think something is popular, they will want to check it out. So platforms will make something seem popular in order to try to make it become popular.

(Which isn't to say that dramas with a high heat index aren't popular, just to say that ultimately it's all a lot of fluff, and can't tell you whether you'll enjoy a drama or not.)

[acceptccnow]

Redefining Dining: Elevating Restaurants with Advanced Self-Ordering Kiosk

Article by Jonathan Bomser | CEO | Accept-credit-cards-now.com

Starting November 1 at 11:00 a.m. EST. and every Monday and Wednesday after.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE FREE WEBINAR: TouchSuite.com/grubbrr-webinar

Limited Space Available

In the ever-evolving landscape of the digital era, the restaurant industry continually adapts to stay competitive. Restaurant owners grapple with challenges such as increasing costs, labor shortages, and a growing demand for integrated dining solutions. In this context, self-ordering kiosks emerge as a significant innovation in the dining sector.

What Sets Self-Ordering Kiosks Apart? Self-ordering kiosks offer several advantages, including streamlined operations, increased profits, and an enhanced dining experience. A recent webinar series by TouchSuite and GRUBBRR explores the profound impact of these systems, scheduled every Monday and Wednesday from November 1st at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. These sessions delve into the role of self-ordering kiosks in boosting sales, reducing labor costs, and enhancing the overall dining experience.

The Benefits of Self-Ordering Kiosks: More Orders, Higher Revenue, Satisfied Customers GRUBBRR and Samsung have collaborated on a solution tailored for restaurant entrepreneurs. This cutting-edge technology is designed to boost revenue, reduce operational costs, and enhance the dining experience. Here's how:

Intelligent Upselling: The Samsung System, powered by GRUBBRR, utilizes smart technology to increase the average bill, leading to higher revenue.

Task Automation: By automating routine tasks, restaurants can reassign staff to more critical roles, reducing expenses, and improving the dining atmosphere.

Operational Excellence: Features such as automatic menu synchronization, user-friendly self-ordering activation, and upselling capabilities make restaurant operations seamless.

Prioritizing Health and Safety In today's health-conscious world, these systems come equipped with FDA-approved antibacterial screens, ensuring a safe interface for both staff and customers.

Why Choose TouchSuite and GRUBBRR? TouchSuite, a leader in transaction processing, is known for pioneering solutions. Their partnership with GRUBBRR, experts in self-ordering technology, reflects their commitment to supporting restaurant owners. Their combined solution increases revenue, lowers costs, and enhances the customer experience. Plus, TouchSuite provides excellent support for any GRUBBRR-related inquiries.

The restaurant industry is at a turning point. Faced with a range of challenges, innovation and adaptation are essential. Advanced self-ordering systems offer a promising solution. For those interested in delving deeper, the webinar series by TouchSuite and GRUBBRR is a must-attend event.

Whether you're a restaurant owner or simply intrigued by the future of dining, it's time to explore the world of advanced self-ordering systems. Dive in, learn, and be at the forefront of the dining revolution!

For more insights and to reserve your spot for the upcoming webinars, visit TouchSuite.com. Seize this opportunity to redefine your culinary venture.