Munira Fidai

Small talk often starts with pointless questions such as “How are you?” According to research, these are three of the most useless words in the world of communication as the person asking is least interested in the response and the person responding hardly ever tells the truth. So, what can make small talk interesting enough to lead to an actual conversation?

Sought after by everyone, elegance is but an elusive virtue. It is a fairly common mistake to think that only aesthetics make class, when in fact, true sophistication is a mix of outward grooming, mindful habits, and intrinsic virtues. Here are a few ways to find out whether you have any of the prime traits that inherently classy people possess.

Relationships are slippery. One moment, you have the most loving, caring partner in the world, and in the other, you’re at loggerheads with the same person. Arguments, silent treatments and resentments can build up fairly quickly and before you know it, you are thinking — how did it go from 10 to 1 so quickly? Well, even if it doesn’t feel like it right then, there are ways to pivot back to a better position.

Spanning five days, the popular event had authors and creatives from a variety of genres and backgrounds, from Bangladesh, Australia, England, Switzerland, to India.

In today’s fast-paced world, it can often feel like there are never enough hours in the day to get everything done. From work and family obligations to errands and leisure activities, our schedules are often jam-packed and it's no surprise that many of us feel overwhelmed, trying to juggle it all. But what if there were ways to reclaim some of that precious time and make the most of every day?

Mornings are not for everyone and most of us take an hour or two to really get a head start on our day, even after waking up from a good 6-8 hours of sleep. As such, advice on getting up early, or joining the 5 AM Club, as it is called, may not be for all of us. Thankfully, there are a number of popular tips to try to start off the day with energy and keep it going throughout the work day.

Just until a few decades ago, South Asians were blessed with the most beautiful and thick hair that was as long as it was lustrous. The recent rise in pollution, lifestyle challenges, seasonal fluctuations caused by climatic imbalance, and increased stress have wreaked havoc with hair health. Fortunately, Ayurveda has lots of secrets and the power to restore our crown back to its timeless glory lie in the shelves and containers of our very own kitchens.

A parenting book found that most successful parents do not worry too much about how much screen time their children get. Instead, they focus on teaching the following habits.

Here are just 5 of the places you can choose to stay if you are making plans to visit Kuakata this year.

Confidence is a highly attractive trait and should not be confused with arrogance. Confident people end up achieving great things and have the ability to inspire people from afar. Although for some confidence is an inherent quality, it can, thankfully, also be learned anew. Here are 5 characteristics that confident people have in them.

Jealousy has types. Psychologists distinguish between benign envy and malicious envy, and while the former has the potential to motivate us, the latter may be a major culprit behind leaving us feeling unworthy, demotivated, and angry.

Never underestimate the power of a bad picture. Today’s world is huge on Instagram and Snapchat, and unfortunately, how one looks in the frame is how one is perceived by both friends and strangers. The good news is there are plenty of tips and tricks that can help you look instantly thinner in snaps.

Ensconced comfortably inside the happening food street, Banani 11, the quaint little café, with a charming, cobble-stoned entrance is already making news for its picturesque aesthetics. Upon entering, one is greeted by a smiling staff and an enticing display of every-day baked treats, from tangy fruit tarts, to delectable pastries and puddings. The space inside deserves a special applause for the interior, done up in mellow tones of warm brown, luxurious gold, duck egg blue and soft white. Wicker lamps, charming book and game shelves and a macrame swing make up the inside of the café, with picture flattering lighting and pet friendly, outdoor seating for those who like fresh air with their coffee.

Global preference for new and mixed media has artists across the world adapting to create pieces that are both socially engaged and digitally comprehensible. As a country, Bangladesh has always encouraged its artists to dig deeper into the country’s unique social systems, while also pushing their limits to bring in contemporary technological trends into their creative expressions. In keeping with the above vision, the 19th Asian Art Biennale 2022 has decided to go with the theme of Home and Displacement, as a tribute to those who were forced to migrate across the world, redefining the concept of home forever.

Negotiation is a skill for the masses. It helps the mightiest CEO as much as the average executive, not discriminating between profession or class, but doling out similar benefits. Despite the apparent benefits, not everyone can master the art of negotiation and it shows in the ways some people walk out with the best and worst of deals.

Nuthan Manohar is a sleep whisperer, perfumer and a wellbeing consultant who used to pride herself on being able to sleep through anything. However, as life took over, sleep began to elude her. She woke up groggy the next day, was not operating on optimum productivity and knew she needed to do something about this. Here are 4 habits Nuthan adopted to fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up refreshed.

Thankfully, there are at least 5 ways in which one can spot the more uncommon triggers and ease the irritating and painful ailment.

Here are about 7 habits, rooted in simplicity, that they say could be the key to lasting happiness.

Remote work may be a boon to companies and employees alike, in terms of lower costs and flexible schedules, however, it is not an out and out win. The comfort and lack of routine at home can make it very challenging for employees to focus and work productivity can take a plunge. Fortunately, successful managers have come up with 6 things employees can eliminate from their work life in order to keep themselves grounded and efficient throughout the work day.

After a painfully long hiatus of four years, the king of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan has finally decided to show himself on the big screen. His upcoming movie, Pathaan looks to be a much-awaited oasis for a drama-parched Bollywood of 2022. Amid boycott calls and “Khan-phobia”, Pathaan’s first song release, Besharam Rang has come to the fans of King Khan as a much-needed respite and how!