Applause is generally done as a sign of appreciation and approval. Have you ever sat back and watched a group of people applaud? What did you notice? Imagine for a second that you are an alien with no prior social conditioning or understanding of our habits. I wonder what you would think, if all of a sudden a group of people started making lots of noise with their hands…Have you thought about why we clap...

Yes, it’s that time of year again and I find myself thinking about the real meaning of Christmas. Is it all about the decorations, the parties, the gifts, the cards, mulled wine, Santa, baby Jesus, turkey, mince pies, carols, family and friends? Christmas has many meanings for people. It can be a nostalgic time when people think about loved ones who are not present. Others rejoice in the opportunity to...

Have you ever wondered if you would be a different person if you had another name? At a pub quiz the other day I learnt that Barbie’s full name was Barbara Millicent Roberts and I started wondering if she would have been equally successful had she used her full name. People tend to make judgements based on first impressions and your name is likely to be the first thing that someone learns about you. Your name...