Banter Bites

Watch Your Mouth. Watch These Videos.

You may not WANT to hear it. But you NEED to hear it.

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: When Red first mentioned to Black that she was surprised to hear profanity on mainstream TV, she wasn't prepared for Black's response (not sure why not) which made Red laugh out loud, although the situation itself made her feel sad, sickened, and frustrated.

When Red's kids were young, she (like she expects most moms) told her kids not to use "bad words" and as they got older, tried to teach them WHY they shouldn't use "bad words". (The fact their aunt, Black, occasionally did took some explaining.) So, she finds it's sad that profanity has permeated our culture, and what was once deemed unacceptable has now become commonplace, everyday utterances that barely elicit a reaction.

Even so, profanity continues to be edited out (or "bleeped") on daytime and broadcast TV channels, which may seem prudish to some people but is appreciated by many others, including us, as an attempt to maintain civility and decorum in our lives.

But how can you report the news and not broadcast – unedited – the 13-minute film prepared by the House impeachment managers to open the trial? How can you show the disturbing reality of the Capitol being overcome by rioters without including their profanity-laced chants? To try to "clean up" the reality of the situation – to not hear the actual words spoken by the rioters, as well as the passion and intensity of how the words were spoken, and the context in which they were used – would be a disservice to understanding the horrific events of January 6. A day we must never forget.

“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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