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New York Post
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Single women ditch wearing makeup on first dates — and experts encourage it
These ladies are going au natural at their amorous appointments — and loving it. In general, Gen Z has trended towards skipping out on classic date nights like traditional dinners and drinks in favor of more adventurous, active ventures like ocean swims, yoga sessions, or rock climbing. These activities allow potential paramours to get to know each other without the pressure of sitting across from each other and talking for hours on end — though eventually, there comes a point in a relationship where this is necessary. Advertisement The latest move to ease the tension and anxiety of a first date? No makeup, a la Pamela Anderson. 3 The growing trend is also beneficial for those who simply don't enjoy wearing makeup, or don't know how to apply it properly. fizkes – Both Millennials and Gen Zers have taken to the Internet to share their experiences with the movement, and overall, they're psyched about their new looks, and the confidence boosts it can — potentially, as @madisonoud pointed out — bring with it. Advertisement @madisonoud i'm either going to be really proud of myself or hysterically crying in 2 hours ♬ MUTT – Leon Thomas Aside from saving plenty of time getting ready, skipping out on glam can also be helpful for those struggling with perfection compulsions and people-pleasing. Experts say that arriving at a first date fresh-faced can help screen potential suitors who simply aren't a match. 3 If your date doesn't like you as you are, ditch him, many women say. DragonImages – Advertisement 'If someone you date loses interest simply because you weren't wearing makeup, that's useful information,' said Janine O'Brien, a licensed clinical psychologist and relationship therapist, in an interview with Bustle. Women online agree — why waste your time getting ready for someone you barely know, especially when there's a fair chance they didn't do the same? 'Don't see the issue. Men don't do their makeup,' said one comment under @madisonoud's video. 'To your date, [going makeup-free] may communicate confidence, self-acceptance, and authenticity. And that can set the tone for a relationship where you're not afraid to show up as your full self,' O'Brien said. Advertisement Some women are also adopting strategies like wearing more makeup as they go on more dates with the same person — both to show their interest in the other person and to demonstrate that effort goes both ways. 3 Today's generation of women are saying buh-bye to mascara and lip gloss for first dates. Drobot Dean – Gen Z daters are not only ditching makeup — they're apparently also leaving dating apps in the past and turning towards old-fashioned matchmaking services. 'Matchmaking in this country has never been more popular,' Adam Cohen-Aslatei, director of Tawkify matchmaking service, told The Post. 'It's really grown pretty tremendously.' 'Business has never been stronger for Cohen-Aslatei and the company saw its busiest month last year.
Newsweek
26-06-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Health care Coverage Expanding in California: What to Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. California is set to expand access to infertility care and in vitro fertilization (IVF) through a new health coverage law that will be implemented on July 1. The law, Senate Bill 729, requires employers with 100 or more employees and state insurance plans to cover infertility and IVF treatment for all Californians—regardless of their gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or marriage status. Newsweek has contacted Senator Caroline Menjivar, the author of the bill, outside of regular working hours via email for comment. Why It Matters As the bill explicitly includes coverage for all, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, it takes a clear stand on inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals in fertility care, meaning that for the first time in the state, these groups are given equal access to the services. According to Senator Menjivar, the bill will "ensure that queer couples no longer have to pay more out of pocket to start families than non-queer families." In the bills comments section, she also wrote the bill is "critical to achieving full-lived equality for LGBTQ+ people, as well as advancing well-rounded and comprehensive health care for all Californians." Other states have also brought similar fertility legislation into effect, but fewer have explicitly sought to include LGBTQ+ groups in the legislation. File photo: gynecologist showing a UV image of baby on a computer screen to a pregnant woman. File photo: gynecologist showing a UV image of baby on a computer screen to a pregnant woman. DragonImages/Getty Images What To Know Previous law had offered some coverage for infertility treatment but had excluded IVF treatment. The new bill will require large and small group health care service plan contracts and disability insurance policies to provide cover for diagnosis and treatment of infertility and fertility services. This includes a maximum of 3 oocyte retrievals—the process where eggs are removed from the ovaries as part of IVF treatment. It also mandates coverage for unlimited embryo transfers in accordance with the guidelines of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). SB 729 is also changing the definition of infertility, so testing and diagnosis of infertility can still be covered for those who have not met the criteria of: not conceiving a child after 12 months for those under 35 and not conceiving a child after six months for those over 35—where miscarriage does not restart the time period to qualify as having infertility. This would mean that earlier intervention can take place for treating and diagnosing infertility. While the law does not however explicitly mention coverage for egg freezing as part of fertility preservation, it is not clear whether some parts of egg freezing may be covered given that oocyte retrievals are covered. Violation of any these provisions by a health care service plan would also be determined a crime in the law, something which the previous law had also stated. What People Are Saying Michele Goodwin, a professor of constitutional law and global health policy at Georgetown Law, Washington D.C, told Newsweek: "SB 729 is important for reproductive health care and family planning for all Californians. Many families experience some form of infertility or other reproductive health challenges." She added: "Assisted reproductive technologies, including IVF have become an important part of family building for gay couples. This law would cushion the economic burden felt by LGBT Californians as they seek health services to grow their families." California Senator Caroline Menjivar, said when Governor Gavin Newsom approved the bill: "Today is a personal and emotional victory. And, it is a triumph for the many Californians who have been denied a path toward family-building because of the financial barriers that come with fertility treatment, their relationship status, or are blatantly discriminated against as a member of the LGBTQ+ community." She added: "When attacks on reproductive rights are occurring across the nation, Governor Newsom stood on the right side of history by expanding coverage for approximately 9 million Californians, including LGBTQ+ folks who were previously withheld equal opportunity to become parents under an archaic law that erased their rights." What Happens Next While fertility coverage will start on July 1 for state-run health insurance plans and large employers, many other plans will adopt the new ruling upon renewal, meaning for some employees, coverage may not be available until later this year and into 2026.
Independent Singapore
27-04-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Smarter Tools, Stronger Agents: The importance of human connection in real estate
Depositphotos/DragonImages By Justin Quek As technology continues to transform the real estate industry, AI will become an integral part of the process. Real estate agents and their clients increasingly leverage AI to enhance efficiency, with industry players introducing AI-powered solutions across various platforms to support client needs. AI is continuously reshaping the property industry, from automated chatbots to using algorithms to provide property recommendations and predict market trends. The technology will continue to remain an ever-changing tool for clients and agents. However, it will be difficult to replace one major aspect of the industry – the human connection. The Role Of AI And How Agents Use It In Singapore's fast-paced and competitive property market, AI integration has transformed how agents and agencies operate, enabling them to deliver seamless, personalised services. With the rise of AI-powered market analysis tools, homebuyers can now make smarter and faster decisions, as AI can analyse data in mere seconds, helping with assessing risks and rewards to identify properties that align with clients' financial qualifications and investment goals. For agents, the availability of these tools reduces the need to manually search and analyse data. This will allow agents to save time and focus on giving advice based on their experience and provide unique insights, such as cultural nuances, which could elevate the client's understanding compared to the repetitive responses AI might give. In addition to reducing the wait time for clients to receive responses to their queries, these avenues assist in elevating the client-agent relationship and experience with personalised interactions and data-driven insights based on frequently asked questions. With the assistance of AI, not only can it save time for clients, but it also allows agents to provide them with informed options based on the client's unique needs. Role Of AI In Real Estate With time spent on repetitive administrative tasks by agents starting to dwindle with the assistance of AI, agents can focus on building relationships and personalising services based on the client's interaction and needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the rapid advancement of AI and other digital tools has made property searches and research much more convenient for clients, with them having the option to partake in virtual tours of their ideal properties at their convenience to shortlist their choices. Yet, while they are narrowing down their choices, agents still have the opportunity to differentiate their services by how they provide a tangible experience that would ultimately affect the client's decision-making process. However, the benefits do not stop there, with real-estate platforms having been seen to decrease commission rates after integrating their versions of AI into their consumer journey. While at first glance, this may seem like a boon for agents and a win for clients, it is, however, truly a win-win. Agents are now able to focus their efforts on the negotiation and finishing touches of the transactions instead of handling the entire consumer journey. Buying Homes Requires A Human Touch As AI continues to advance, there is no doubt it will continue to integrate into our daily and professional lives. This begs the question: can AI replace agents? The short answer: No. Despite AI's numerous capabilities, the real estate market in Singapore remains human-driven. In a country that is land-scarce with high and increasing property values, purchasing a home is still a significant financial and emotional decision buyers make. Hence, homebuyers still rely on the guidance, assistance, and experience of agents to provide their expertise based on their understanding of the market while keeping in mind the client's financial restraints. AI-driven tools will continue to help more clients streamline property recommendations. However, they currently still lack the human touch needed to provide reassurance during the buying process. While AI models enhance efficiency, they do not yet possess the empathy and intuition of seasoned agents, whose human affirmation remains essential in easing uncertainty and ultimately closing deals. The Future Of Real Estate: AI And Agents In the entire consumer journey of purchasing a property, while there are aspects that AI can enable consumers and provide a better experience, there is still room for human intervention in certain areas, which can prove to be fruitful for buyers and sellers alike. In hindsight, AI should be viewed as a complement to existing services rather than a replacement. The future of AI in the real estate industry is not one about replacing agents; rather, it is about empowering them with efficient and effective tools to provide a more focused and higher-quality service to homebuyers. As the real estate industry continues to embrace more of the digital solutions available for its agents, the value of human expertise and connections remains paramount. The future of the industry lies not in choosing between AI and human engagement but in finding the balance between integrating the two to develop the best possible experience for the client while increasing the productivity of the agents. Justin Quek is the Chief Executive Officer of OrangeTee & Tie. Justin has a multifaceted experience as a property agent, proptech entrepreneur, and strategic manager. He championed initiatives like the Consumer Insider Series and Luxe by OrangeTee, empowering clients and agents to navigate the property sector in Singapore
Independent Singapore
22-04-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
S'porean employer says the maid never finishes her meal when they eat out, asks S'poreans if it's mean to tell her to eat at home before going out
SINGAPORE: 'When I take her to the grocery store, I always take her to eat with me too, but she never finishes her meal.' An employer took to an online forum on Monday (April 21) to air her frustrations about her new domestic helper of one month, claiming her work quality is mediocre and expressing confusion over her eating habits. While the post drew mixed reactions, several users urged the employer to be patient, reminding her that it's only been a month and that helpers often need time to adjust and learn. 'Just hired a helper…' the post read. 'She has been staying with us for less than a month, and so far she has not been up to my standard. She told me she can iron, cook and clean well…but to be honest, it's (mediocre). I need to tell her to re-iron because everything is still wrinkly…have to tell her twice about cleaning because she always misses a spot or three.' The employer also claimed that when they do groceries and eat out, the helper never finishes her food. She admitted this annoys her. 'This kind of ticks me off,' she shared. 'Even though let's say the meal is only less than S$10…still, it's like she doesn't appreciate things.' After airing her frustrations on the forum, she asked Singaporeans if it would make her evil if she told her helper to eat at home first before they went somewhere. A handful of online users responded to the post. A common theme that came up was the anticipated learning curve that comes with hiring a new maid. 'You need to give her proper training to meet your expectations,' said one, who also urged the employer to make sure that her expectations are 'realistic'. 'Don't expect five-star service and you'll be fine,' the comment added. 'A helper's role is to relieve some household burdens, and their work won't be perfect. But it really sounds like your helper's issues are minor. My helper doesn't like to eat outside meals and prefers her own cooking, so I only get something small for her when we're out as a snack. Talk to her about it…she might not like the food you're eating, or the portion is too big for her, yet you expect her to finish it and be grateful?' Others echoed the same sentiments, saying that when it comes to household work, the helper could learn over time. As for the employer's concerns about the food, a few questioned why the writer seemed to equate not finishing one's food to a sign of ungratefulness, arguing that there could be other reasons behind it. In similar news, a woman took to social media to vent out her frustrations with how her mother allegedly treats her helper. The writer claimed that her mother treats the domestic worker poorly and threatens to cut her salary. See also: Maid gets treated poorly and threatened with a salary cut by her employer, who doesn't want to fire her Featured image by Depositphotos/ DragonImages (for illustration purposes only)
