Articles

A close-up of a fountain pen writing on blank paper in black and white, capturing elegance.

A Good Letter is Hard to Write

I’m a graduate of one of the toughest MBA programs to get into. It might still be the most selective program out there. Of course I didn’t know whether or not I’d get in when I applied. I just put together the best application I could. In a sense, that application process started a long...

Historic neoclassical university library with columns on a sunny day.

Second acts for Korean women: When the kids go off to college

Among the many ride hailing apps in Korea is one I like in particular. It runs newer vans and sedans, and has a reputation for vetting and retaining well-mannered drivers. Even among the stiff competition that is everything K, it stands out. I always look there first for our airport rides, and I associate the...

Father and child walk on a leaf-strewn path in a tranquil autumn forest scene.

The Daechi Moms in Seoul: the Power and Peril of Parental Lemming Behavior

I’m in Seoul right now and I’m a mom. But from what I gather, I’m not a Seoul mom. Seoul moms are… hard to describe. At least in a fair way. You can describe anyone in a judgey way. Understanding is much harder. Mom in Seoul I had observed that I was different from the...

Portrait of a young woman wearing a hat and glove with 'Bye' text, expressing a playful farewell.

Hey Nordy’s, you’re losing me

Nordstrom’s loyalty program used to be simple and friendly. Every 2,000 points earned, a “Nordstrom Note” in $20 increments would show up in the mail. A few times a year, Nordstrom would let members earn double or triple points on their purchases. Then, in 2018, Nordstrom introduced The Nordy Club, with a number of changes...

Explore the lively atmosphere of a modern shopping mall in Hoofddorp, Netherlands, captured with vibrant colors and motion blur.

Helping a fellow shopper (Bed Bath & Beyond)

Yesterday morning, I got an email from Bed Bath & Beyond asking me to answer a question a customer had asked about an item I bought. I have never received a request like this from a site I shop, and felt somewhat intrigued. I clicked the “Answer this question” link, which popped up this window...

Two women social distancing outside a store during the daytime, highlighting shopping safety practices.

Wait, you WANT me to go to Amazon? (Williams-Sonoma)

I have been trying to shop bricks and mortar retail more. Honestly, when the store is well curated, well organized, and staffed with well trained people, it’s a wonderful experience. I’m also trying to not shop on Amazon.com when I have good alternatives. Some reasons are found in this rather long first hand account. At...

Scenic view of an airplane wing flying high above the clouds on a clear day.

Where has my RPU gone? (United 1K travails)

United has an increasing array of rules for passengers and people who are part of their MileagePlus program. I get the impression that sometimes, they’re a little too hard for the various teams at United to keep up with. In this instance, I found that using one 1K benefit (the ability to change flights free...