What Not to Say About A Woman's Appearance
Donīt say: "You look tired."
Why: It implies she doesnīt look good.
Instead say: "Is everything OK?" We often blurt the "tired" comment when we get the sense that the other person feels out of sorts. So just ask.
Donīt say: "Wow, youīve lost a ton of weight!"
Why: To a newly trim person, it might give the impression that she used to look unattractive.
Instead say: "You look fantastic." And leave it at that. If youīre curious about how she got so svelte, add, "Whatīs your secret?"
Donīt say: "You look good for your age."
Why: Anything with a caveat like this is rude. It's saying, "You look great―compared with other old people. It's amazing you have all your own teeth."
Instead say: "You look great."
Donīt say: "I could never wear that."
Why: It can be misunderstood as a criticism. ("I could never wear that because itīs so ugly.")
Instead say: "You look so good in skinny jeans." If you slip, say something like "I could never wear that...because I wasnīt blessed with your long legs."
What Not to Say About Pregnancy and Babies
Donīt say: "Are you pregnant?"
Why: You ask, sheīs not, and you feel totally embarrassed for essentially pointing out that sheīs overweight.
Instead say: "Hello" or "Great to see you" or "You look great." Anything besides "Are you pregnant?" or "Whatīs the due date?" will do. Save yourself the humiliation and never ask.
Donīt say: "Do you plan on breast-feeding?"
Why: The issue can be controversial, and she may not want to discuss her decision publicly.
Instead say: Nothing. Unless youīre very close, donīt ask. If you slip, make up for the blunder by adding, "And do you feel comfortable telling me?"
Donīt say: "Were your twins natural?" or "It must have been hard for your childīs birth parent to give him up."
Why: Youīre suggesting that natural conception is better than in vitro fertilization (IVF) or adoption.
Instead say: To a parent of multiples, try a light "Wow, you have your hands full!" To an adoptive parent, say the same stuff you would to any other parent: "Sheīs adorable!" or "How old is he?"
18 Common Phrases to Avoid in Conversation
Also:
Cool the Pan When Baking Cookies
One of the secrets to perfectly baked cookies (especially when youīre baking multiple batches) is to start with a cool pan. If you donīt have enough cookie sheets to use each pan only once (and who does!?), cool down a hot pan by running the underside in cool water. Youīll save time by not having to dry the sheet, and your cookies will come out baked to perfection. Now as for what to bake, these easy Christmas cookies seem like the perfect solution to us.
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Originally Posted by Bester 
