Banter Bites

So Much Rides On The Ryder Cup

Golf may not be fore (sorry, couldn't resist the pun for those who know golf terms) you, but this year's Ryder Cup was the biggest blowout since the competition changed its format over 40 years ago.

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: The 43rd Ryder Cup (which is played every other year between teams from the U.S. and Europe) finished yesterday, so Red couldn't help but travel down memory lane (or should we call it "fairway") and remember watching the 1981 Ryder Cup with our dad. Not only did the Americans win with the largest margin against a European team (originally, the competition was a British team), but it featured some of the greatest golfers (from Jack Nicklaus to Tom Watson to Nick Faldo) of all time. That all changed yesterday when the Americans broke the 40-year record, and with a team where half the players were Ryder Cup rookies. (For a great recap, including a link to the most amazing chip shot, see Axios' "Team USA romps to Ryder Cup win.")

Black, who doesn't typically reminisce (and would prefer to talk about how golf has been having a record year and the associated business implications), remembers Jack Nicklaus' Concession in 1969. It was one of the greatest (and, at the time, controversial) acts of sportsmanship ever seen when Nicklaus conceded Tony Jacklin's putt causing a tie and allowing America to keep the Cup vs. going for an outright win. That single moment represented the spirit of the Ryder Cup, and this year marks the inaugural Nicklaus-Jacklin Award.

“A Dictator & His Mistress” might have been a catchier title, but that doesn’t change the fact that the combination of history and food makes this one of Red’s favorite Banter Bites. While Black loves the leadership lessons (from a dictator?!). Curious? If so, read on …

Quick! If someone says "Julius Caesar," what comes to mind?

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: Almost everyone has heard of Julius Caesar, but how many of us really know much about him, or at least that's what Red starts to wonder when she receives the usual flippant, but still accurate, reply from her sister, after feeling very proud that she knew that July was named after the famous Roman.

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Today’s technology may be very different from when we first ran this four years ago, but it makes communication skills even more critical, and Effective Communications Month is the perfect time to acknowledge it’s a superpower …

Talking isn't the same as communicating. And hearing isn't the same as listening. Think about it.

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: Being an effective communicator, whether in our personal lives or at work, is a critical skill but one-size-doesn't-fit-all as we each use very different methods and styles … ranging from lots of words and talking stuffed animals (Red) to bullet points and racing flags (Black).

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What better way to celebrate May Day than bringing back one of Black’s favorite posts? A little history (for Red), mixed with fertility and workers’ rights (no, we’re not kidding), and a reminder that sometimes "pole dancing" doesn’t only happen in clubs …

If you’ve never thought about May Day, don’t worry, most of us haven’t.

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: Red appreciates that some holidays have historical significance, some have ancient traditions, and some are opportunities for one of Black’s unexpected, but often amusing and clever, comments, but May Day checks all those boxes.

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