I have friends from all walks of life and from all over the world and I have no desire to be in a clique. Special girlfriends have given me useful information. My interest in welcoming new people into my life, my travels and my years spent living in Honolulu opened the door to these fascinating, worldly women. They are all wise in different ways and I wanted to share their worldly tips with you.
"Live your northern life style as a southern belle."
We were checking into the hotel in Vienna, Austria a few days ago and I overheard my husband say to the receptionist with a twinkle in his eye, "Please show my wife a beautiful room with a view the first time." She looked up, smiled, checked the assigned room list in the computer and changed our room! Listening to my husband I thought of my girlfriend, Norma Jean, from Richmond, Virginia -- my southern friend who taught me to live my northern life style as a southern belle. Those were her words! Now you can use these words when checking into a hotel!
"American women wear matching shoes with their suits. Don't do that, Suzi. It is boring."
My French girlfriend taught me to accessorize with panache. I looked at Florence Levet, my beautiful Parisian friend, wearing a light grey pin stripped suit with pink heels and pink Hermes Kelly bag. Enough said! Ladies, update your fashion thinking. The French encourage it and so do I.
"I don't want to talk about her when she is not here to defend herself."
My girlfriend, Vera De Alemada, from San Paulo, Brazil, speaks six languages and she taught me this one sentence worth a thousand words. This one is a keeper!
"Keep a journal for three months and you will find your voice."
One of my American friends from California, Gayle, a writer, gave me this advice. I followed it and GrammaGood.com was born. If you are seeking a new purpose, now you know what to do!
"Susan, you want to be able to participate -- not sit on the sidelines."
Two girlfriends from London, Liz Taylor and Cary Grant (can you believe their names through marriage!) taught me the importance of learning to play games. One is a champion scrabble player and the other a master point bridge player. Think about learning something new to enhance your life.
"Just delete."
Unfortunately, like all of you, I have been surprisingly disappointed by some women's actions. Never fear! I have my Greek girlfriend, Maria, who taught me a very valuable lesson: "just delete." Think of the delete key on your keyboard and how easy it is to hit delete and how good it feels. Give it a try sometime. It's both refreshing and liberating. A Korean friend taught me to eat Kim chi. A Chinese friend showed me how to eat with chopsticks. A Hawaiian friend taught me the true meaning of the Aloha spirit. My Jewish girlfriend, Barbara, explained the meaning of the Kabala Red String that I wear around my wrist. M young American girlfriend, Madison, taught me to "simply be." My girlfriend from New York, Susan, showed me through her actions the importance of true grit. My girlfriend, Sue, from Los Angeles is my role model for charity. My girlfriend from Rome, Sophia, taught me that it takes hard work to bond with anther woman -- friendships just don't happen.
As mothers and grandmothers teach your children and grandchildren to expand their horizons, to reach out and make friends that are not their clones. Teach them to be clique-less! They will lead a far more enlightened life. I cannot close this blog without mentioning the most important woman and teacher in my life. My mother. My mother taught me countless lessons in life, but the one that sticks with me day in and day out is this: Laughter is the best medicine!
Earlier on Huff/Post50: