Rental Culture, Next Besting and Nomadabodes, today we hunt Trends in 2010.

A habit can be difficult to break; and, depending on the context, can make or break you. While some habits are assets in certain situations – such as always having an opinion or sticking out from the crowd – they can sometimes play to your detriment. Thus, equally important as changing some behavioral patterns is knowing when to tweak them just a little bit. And because people in the workforce tend to be an unruly bunch, read our  list of common bad workplace habits to avoid.

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• When you visit a bank or retailer’s website enter the address manually – never follow an email link.
• Keep account details and password secret – if you surrender them yourself you may not be covered in the event of fraud.
• Don’t judge a company or person on their website alone – look for a telephone number and address.
• Remember your bank will never contact you to disclose security information – ignore any emails that ask for your PIN, password or other personal details.
• Use up-to date Kaspersky Internet Security 2010, a personal fire-wall and, if your computer uses the Microsoft Windows operating system, keep it updated from the Microsoft website.
• Check your bank statement regularly, and if you notice anything irregular call your bank immediately.
• Sign up to a secure payment such as Verified by Visa or Master Card Secure Code, which will verify your card information and provide an extra layer of protection. For transaction over 100$ use a credit card for security against non-delivery of fraud.
• When buying online, check on the padlock to check that the seller is who they say they are and that their certificate is current and registered to the rights address. The web address should also begin with “https://”. Trusted online retailers, such as Amazon.com, Endless.com, CostumeCraze.com are popular between online shoppers.
  
• Be wary of buying anything offered via spam or unsolicited phone calls.
• Don’t be conned by emails that offer you the chance to make some money – if it looks too good to be true, it usually is.

Popular & Guaranteed Online Retailers:

• CostumeCraze.com
• Buyz.com – The Largest Brand Name Jewelry Selection Anywhere. Jewelry Superstore. Everyday Low Prices, Free Shipping.
• Live Jewelry Auctions
• Shoebuy.com
• MAGAZINES.com
• Affordable red carpet dresses only at PromGirl.com

The Palace – The Old Town has decked up for the festive season with an array of events which cater for families, singles, the young and the old. The celebrations flagged off with the lighting of the hotel’s ornate Christmas tree and will conclude on December 31 with a New Year’s Eve party to remember.

Other events and offers for the festive season include a chance to meet Santa, festive afternoon teas, story telling and a Teddy Bear’s tea for the children, festive brunches, special spa offers, a Christmas Eve dinner, cookery lessons on how to make the perfect Christmas Dinner, Christmas turkey take-aways and a night to remember on New Year’s Eve with various set meals and a spectacular party to welcome in 2010.

Edouard Grosmangin – Executive Assistant Manager, The Palace – The Old Town said: “The festive events for 2009 have been carefully selected to ensure that there is something fun for everyone. The exclusive New Year’s Eve Dinner on our Private Rooftop is a new feature this year, and guests can look forward to a vibrant atmosphere overlooking the iconic Burj Dubai and The Dubai Fountain.”

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Shocking wins the 149th Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on Tuesday

Shocking, the mount of Corey Brown, came with a late run to deny Godolphin their first Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday.

Crime Scene, with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, set sail for home but could not hold off the fast finishing Shocking, a four-year-old son of Street Cry, with the Dubai-based team having to settle for the runners-up position once again.

Gary Chapman, President Group Services & Dnata, Emirates Group, together with Miss Zara Phillips, Emirates’ International Guest, presented winning jockey Corey Brown, owner Eales Racing and trainer Mark Kavanagh with the 2009 Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy.

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On average, women are paid 25% less than men earn in the workplace. And since many women typically spend approximately seven years out of the work force to have and raise children, their earnings are even further curtailed. As a result, women are generally left with smaller retirement portfolios, lower company pension benefits and lower Social Security benefits than men.

1. Take control
Most married women actively participate or take the leading role in managing family finances. However, some married women still leave the financial decision making to their spouse and may wind up ill-equipped to handle their finances if they divorce or outlive their husbands.

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You may be stressed but is that stress self-inflicted?
Are your personal standards too high?

In a city where the attitude is ‘work hard, party harder’, it’s not surprising that people are continually under pressure -whether it is to make the next deadline or be at the emirate’s next ‘it’ event. It all seems to boil down to competitiveness. Dubai Chronicle’s Editor, Gergana Mineva, gives the following reasons for the mad race to be stressed: increased competition on all levels – whether it’s at school, work or at home – and the countless options with regards to just about every aspect of life – be it technology, dining out or even shopping. Thirdly, and perhaps the biggest factor, is that there is a constant need to strive for a better quality of life.

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People of all backgrounds and cultures are susceptible to stereotyping individuals from other groups.

Few years ago, while I was visiting the United States, a native American asked me, “So you live in the desert – what’s it like to travel everywhere by camel?” Momentarily stunned, I replied, “I wouldn’t know. We upgraded to horses some time ago.”
The questioner may have been particularly misinformed, but his comment did bring to light a typical mindset at the time – Middle Eastern people were seen as overweight desert people who rode camels to work and lived in palatial mansions. This was pre-September 11, of course. These days, people from this part of the world are often regarded with even more suspicion.

Stereotypes tend to be oversimplified general impressions of any particular group of people. Some tags seem harmless enough, but when negative cultural stereotypes come into play there is potential for great harm. Some sociologists believe that stereotyping reflects a power structure in which one group in society uses labeling to keep another group ‘in its place’. But why do we do it?

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Dubai witnessed the exciting unveiling of the luxurious Coca-Cola Light Very Important Apartment (V.I.A.) today at UPTOWN MotorCity®. In line with the recently launched Coca-Cola 2009 “Open Happiness” campaign, Coca-Cola Light introduces one lucky winner from the region to experience the glamorous side on the Coke Side of Life. Tune into MBC’s hit show Style & Stars to catch a glimpse of the most tastefully done, hip, exquisite and modern three-bedroom, fully-furnished apartment and enter the regional SMS draw for the Coca-Cola Light V.I.A.

Coca-Cola Light V.I.A. has taken a lifestyle route to highlight the modern well-being and contemporary living aspects of the brand through partnership with Union Properties (UP), one of the UAE’s leading property developers.  In cooperation with the ongoing Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), the campaign makes its debut during the region’s most famous, annually-awaited festival, bringing limitless opportunities with elements of fashion, glamour and style.

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