April 14, 2012
I’m proud of the fact that I’m very comfortable dining alone in any restaurant. Whether a casual outdoor lunch, a snazzy wine bar or a fancy “black or white napkin” kind of place, I am very ok with dining alone. Sure, I’d rather have my husband sitting across the table from me, but he’s not with me on the majority of my business trips. While colleagues are with me on some of my trips, I’m a solo diner the majority of the time, and I am quite content with this.
What I’m not content with . . . and downright ticked with . . . is hearing these two words as I enter a restaurant: “Just one?”
These two little words, asked so innocently, really get my goat.
I’ve often wanted to respond to “Just one?” with:
-
Yes, put me in the pity section please.
-
No, a table for 3, please. Me, my book and I.
-
I have my imaginary friend with me – you don’t see him?
-
Yes, I couldn’t decide which husband to bring along so I brought neither.
I know the question isn’t meant to offend, but dining solo is one of the most uncomfortable situations for many women. These words just make it more uncomfortable. I walk away feeling that the host thinks I have no friends, or no special person in my life . . . that I’m a loser who can’t find anyone to dine with. I want to defend myself, to say that I’m proud to be so comfortable in my own skin that I don’t need a companion to complete me, that I do know how to order a great glass of wine all by myself, but it’s not worth it. They wouldn’t understand anyway, since they meant no harm in their little question.
How about we turn this little question into something more empowering (and create more raving fans for a restaurant):
“A table in the successful women section?”
“A table where you 
can see and be seen?” or
“Table for one . . . let me take you to our preferred seating.”
Here’s a toast – to the power of one!
PreOrder now! Business Travel Success…How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel With Confidence!
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Food and Drink, Random Thoughts |
January 29, 2012
Orlando International Airport (MCO) has been my home-base airport for the past twenty years. But did you know that Orlando also has a second airport? Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is about 50 miles from Disney World, about double the distance from MCO. Though great for me, SFB is only 10 miles from my house, compared to 30 miles to MCO. It offers close proximity to the Lake Mary, Longwood and Altamonte Springs areas.
I flew out of SFB for the very first time last night. A business trip to Reykjavik had me searching Delta and Continental, though with 3 to 4 connections and very high fares, a direct flight to Reykjavik out of Sanford’s airport was a quarter of the price in a quarter of the hours! Granted, getting no miles towards my Diamond or 1K status may have me regretting this flight later in the year, but its practicality won me over for this trip.
Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Places to See; Things to Do, Random Thoughts, Travel |
December 29, 2011
For my year-end review of my 2011 travels, my butt-in-seat air miles added up to 201,832 and I was gone for part or all of 47 weeks. I had lots of travel to Houston, New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas domestically, and several international trips to the UK, France, Norway and Singapore.
With my Continental Platinum, I was upgraded 100% of the time on my domestic flights. My Delta Diamond status also got me upgraded 100% of the time within the US. I succeeded a few times in using my system-wide upgrades on my Continental international flights; while watching my Delta upgrades sit idle in my account. My attempt to get six Delta first-class seats to Hawaii for my family, all on the same flight, was a 100% success (80,000 miles each).
I checked my bag about 20% of the time, usually on my longer international flights. I had TSA greeting cards in only a few of these checked bags and no lost or stolen items that I’m aware of.
All these stats are ho-hum – what’s really amazing is my 0% travel mishap stat for 2011.
Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Random Thoughts |
December 13, 2011
Are you approaching the end of the miles and points year with the realization that you’ll be a lesser person next year? A person with a lesser airline, hotel or car rental status, that is!
While I’ve reached top tier status at three hotel chains (Marriott, Hilton and Starwood) and will reach 100k on Continental/United, I’m more focused on what I’m not going to achieve – Diamond status on Delta.
I have flown even more miles this year than I did last year (190k vs. 150k) and yet not ended up with the top tier on both airlines. I added more focus on Continental to ensure I reach the 1k status now that they have a fourth tier as they merge programs with United. I’m counting on an international flight next week with a 150% bonus to get me to this goal. With the increased focus on Continental, the airline I fly more often for domestic travel, the seesaw reverted downwards on my Delta accumulation. Sad. I want them both!
Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Random Thoughts |
November 30, 2011
Signs were displayed all throughout the Hertz rental car lot in Houston’s Intercontinental Airport (IAH) this week announcing their GoldChoice program. This was the first time I’ve seen these signs in IAH’s Hertz lot, even though I’ve rented from this same location multiple times over the past few months.
Hmmm … GoldChoice. What’s this? It’s Hertz’s new program that is a combination of having an assigned car all ready for you (if you are a Hertz Gold customer) and being able to select your own car – kind of a Hertz Gold / National Emerald Isle combo.
I took a look at the GoldChoice aisle to see what types of cars were available. They were mostly mid-size and full-size cars, maybe 20 or so cars to choose from on a busy Monday morning. One lone SUV was in the GoldChoice aisle, maybe because others had already been taken. When in Houston, it’s always good to be up high on the road when you’re sharing the highways with lots of Texas trucks.
As I was checking out, I asked if this program was new and was it unique to Houston. “No,” said the attendant. “GoldChoice has been in Houston for a couple of months, and it’s now available in other cities as well.” I can believe the latter part of his statement but not the first. If it’s been in Houston for a couple of months, their signs have been invisible and their GoldChoice aisle must have been over at Avis. Like I said, I’ve rented from IAH weekly, all but Thanksgiving week, and there have been no signs of the GoldChoice option until now.
I like the idea of this new hybrid model. If there is a car more to my liking in the GoldChoice section, then I’ll take that car; otherwise I’ll keep what’s been assigned. The only challenge with this is that I’ll want to first see what I was assigned. This means first walking to the GoldChoice aisle to see what’s available, then walking across the aisles to find my assigned car. If I then realize that I’d like a GoldChoice car more, than I’ll have to do an about-face and head back to GoldChoice. Not the worst thing in the world, but time-consuming. I could also stop in at the Gold desk and ask for what car has been assigned. Or just take the assigned car. Or just go with a personally-selected GoldChoice car. Such decisions…
I’ll be curious for next Monday morning’s rental. I really need a minivan next week as I have several colleagues I’ll be traveling with. Do I reserve and pay the higher cost for a minivan or take a chance that the GoldChoice aisle has one waiting for me?
While I figure out what to do, why don’t you check out more details on Hertz’s new GoldChoice program and the available locations. Let me know your thoughts.
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com. Watch for my new book, Business Travel Success – How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel with Confidence, being published by Morgan James in 2011.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Random Thoughts, Travel |
August 31, 2011
What do you do with a Jury Duty Summons when you know you’ll be out of town?
I’ve been called for both Federal and County jury duty multiple times. Each time I receive a date that I’m to report for jury duty, I already have travel plans for my business. I don’t mind serving as long as I’m in the state at the time requested. Since I travel more than 45 weeks each year, chances are I’ll be booked on a flight already.
If you’re served a Jury Summons and will be out of town, here are some actions to take:
Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Random Thoughts, Travel |
July 25, 2011
The typical size of an airport bathroom stall is 3 1/2′ by 5′, of which more than half is taken up by the toilet. Most have doors that swing to the inside of the stall.
That leaves just a few square inches in which to get your body inside the stall and rotate your luggage in and close the door. Oh, and do this with your legs crossed because you didn’t want to use the toilet on the plane, so now you’re rushing in to the first available stall.
Not an easy feat, especially when your bag is more than miniature size and does not have spinner wheels.
While getting into the stall with your luggage and closing the door is a challenge, it can be even tougher to do an about-face and gracefully exit the stall without your bag rubbing against the toilet (yewww!)
I witnessed a woman who gave upon the graceful part and just stood atop the toilet seat once she got the door opened. That was the only way she could figure out how to literally rise above the situation.
I wish I had my camera and was bold enough to take a photo of her balanced on the rim of the seat – this photo would be sent to every public bathroom architect on the planet.
What’s the solution?
For now, until we see larger bathroom stalls, I’ll continue to seek out doors that swing outwards (I was lucky to find one today — score!). Ah, the little things that make me happy.
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Random Thoughts, Travel |
July 6, 2011
noun
Informal
A person who travels frequently, especially on business.
Exactly what defines a Road Warrior came up in a conversation with a seat mate on a recent flight and it got me Googling as to the definition. I’m not surprised that I did not find an objective definition. However, being a numbers person, I would have been more comfortable with a definitive criteria. Since I couldn’t find an objective definition, I’m coming to you my fellow road warriors (at least that’s who I think you are!) for help.
What do you think the objective definition of a Road Warrior should be?
Is it 50% or more of a person’s working days in a year being away from home?
Or a certain percentage of weeks per year no matter how many days of average travel in a week?
One week a month traveler? 3 or 4 weeks a month?
If a person travels to conferences quarterly, does that constitute a road warrior?
Whether a person drives, flies, rides a bus or train for their business travel … is that a component in this definition?
Such disparate criteria – does it really matter? You may think it doesn’t matter now, but I can just hear your harrumph the next time someone tells you that they’re a road warrior because they travel once a quarter while you’re hitting a new city several days a week – and we’ll all hear your scream when they get a first class upgrade and you don’t!
Keep reading the definition. Based on the ‘especially on business’ part of the definition, does to a great extent indicate that a frequent solely-for-pleasure traveler could also be considered a road warrior for the lesser extent? Really? I do not put pleasure travelers in the road warrior category, unless of course they first fit the definition due to their business travel – which I’m still trying to figure out what that is.
So help me out here. If you tell someone that you’re a road warrior, and they ask what that is, how would you answer when they keep drilling you for specifics?
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Random Thoughts |
June 22, 2011
Are your documents protected in case your laptop is stolen? As a preventative measure, consider investing in Lojack For Laptops
. Lojack is software that will help secure your documents and recover you computer in case it is stolen. You can buy a 3-year license for $77.99, but do this now or it will be too late once your laptop has already disappeared.
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Random Thoughts, Safety, Shopping! |
June 20, 2011
Like to journal your travels but don’t want the weight of the journal? I like to write in a travel journal to keep track of where I’ve been, who I met, where I stayed and ate and anything else of interest. But I often do not want to carry the travel journal with me due to the added weight. When I leave it at home, I instead buy a few postcards and make my notes on the back of these. I slip these into my journal when I get home.
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.
Posted by Carol Margolis under New Travelers, Pearls of Travel Fun, Random Thoughts |
April 20, 2011
I have a renewed perspective on my busy travel life after this encounter.
I was at my bank the other day opening an account. The financial services advisor I was working with was asking about my business. She asked about the t-shirt I was wearing. “Is that your business?” she asked, pointing to the logo on my shirt. “Yes,” I replied, “Smart Women Travelers is one of my businesses.”
Then came the barrage of questions: What do you do, where do you travel, and what’s your favorite place?
As I kept answering her questions: I help travelers travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment; I travel all over the world; the Greek Islands are my favorite place, I could see that my new account was going to take longer than I hoped to get set up.
Then she said the words you may also have heard before: “Wow, you really have the dream job!”
My initial thought was “Are you kidding? – I traveled all or part of 50 weeks last year!”
But I didn’t react out loud. I thought about it while she was busy filling out the endless bank forms.
The downsides can be many. I miss:
Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Favorite Cities and Towns, New Travelers, Random Thoughts, Travel |
