Today I head to Atlanta to finish up a year of intense travel, training, coaching, and fun. I’ve met people all over North America both in the classes I teach and through the adventure of travel. When you travel frequently you learn a lot about people, some of it really good and some just completely dreadful. Here are some observations that I’ve made in 2018:

We might want to take a page out of the Japanese people’s wellness book. When one is sick in Japan, they wear a face mask. Yes, the person who is sick takes ownership of not spreading their germs. In America, it appears that the opposite is true. People, please stop sneezing and coughing on others. If you are sick, stay home or cover your nose and mouth. That is all.

The TSA employees in Raleigh, NC should train the TSA employees throughout the rest of the country. They are efficient, kind, and helpful. The rest of you . . . not so much.

Fire alarms in hotels are not a toy. Seriously.

I’m quite sure that most Uber drivers have a music setting titled, “Middle-aged white women.” It unfortunately includes Hall & Oates. I appreciate the attempt at customer care, but Hall & Oates? Again . . . not so much.

People are far nicer in person than they are online. Shockingly so. It’s easy to be mean behind a computer screen, but it’s not a good look.

Don’t watch Shameless or Game of Thrones on an airplane. Just trust me on this.

Yes, Canadians I’ve met are happier and kinder than most Americans I’ve met. It’s colder where they are, so I guess we can’t use the weather as our excuse for our cranky attitudes.

Always make friends with the people who are there to serve you in hotels and on public transportation. One, because you will meet some really fascinating people and two, they will give you fun perks.

Come join me in an iPEC coaching class if you want to see how wonderful the world can truly be. I’m rejuvenated and hopeful after every single class.

“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all people cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” – Maya Angelou

Love,

Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC