A few weeks ago I went downtown for a protest march and there were no port-a-potties. The local businesses were allowing us to use their restrooms, and I was in line in a bakery before the march started. There was a long hallway that led to the two restrooms, one marked ladies and one marked men. Each restroom was identical and could only be used by one person at a time. There were many women in line ahead of me, and no line for the men’s. Every time a man came out of the restroom, a man would walk up out of nowhere and go in. It took the women about a half hour wait in line. The men had no wait at all.

Several hours later the march ended and I headed to the same bakery to use the restroom before boarding my train. Same scenario. A long line of women waiting and no line for the men. I stepped out of line and said to the other women, ‘Look, these restrooms are exactly the same. There’s no reason we can’t use whichever one opens up first. Are we all in agreement that when a man comes up we will explain the situation and ask him to get in the back of the line?’ They all gave a hearty yes and we started using both restrooms.

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If you’re lucky in life you will be blessed with a sister. I have three older sisters, so I’ve gotten the benefit of their wisdom and life experiences handed down to me…along with their clothes.

Here are a few things I learned from them;

If your older sister is very curious but also afraid to try new things, let her talk you into doing them, even at your own physical peril. Because if you get hurt (you will get hurt) the guilt she will feel can be used to your advantage for decades.

If you have to share a candy bar or a cookie, one halves it and the other picks first. It’s the only way to ensure equal distribution.

Always roll your clothes like a beach towel when you’re packing your suitcase. They’ll wrinkle less.

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