I’ve got this neighbor who always calls his wife sweetums or honeypie and I want to gag every time we’re at a neighborhood event. She’s right out of the Stepford Wives anyway but that’s another story. When we’re at home, the mister will call me dear or honey if he wants me to do something for him like make him a sandwich or wash his undies, but otherwise, he uses my name.

Why? Nothing sounds as good to someone as hearing their name. It’s a sound that validates us as human beings. Not only that, if your spouse or partner only use names like sweetie or honey or snookums, maybe it’s because they can’t remember your name.

Now when it comes to calling strangers pet names, that REALLY gets my goat. If a man came up to a man he did not know, what would happen if he called him sweetie or hon? Why is it ok for men to do that to women they don’t know? In my view when a man does that he’s talking down to the woman as if she were inferior or worse yet, childish. When my kids were small I called all their friends sweetie because I could never remember their names, but it is patronizing for a man to do it to a woman.

If you want to impress people, use their names. Can’t remember names? Practice it. When you meet someone say their name 3 times in the conversation and you’ll never forget the name.

I’ve had quite a few pedicures in my life, I AM an old broad, after all, but the new idea at a salon in Alexandria, Virginia leaves me with my mouth open. The salon owner, John Ho, was looking for a gimmick to increase the traffic to his shop, Yvonne Hair and Nails that he owns with his wife Yvonne.

At considerable expense ($40,000) and a few hiccups, he has brought tiny carp called doctor fish into his salon and put them in warm water tanks. Salon patrons put their bare feet into the tank and these little fish nibble off all the dead skin. They have no teeth to buy live flesh, resulting in really smooth skin. Once the fish have finished their job - you can buy 15 or 30 minutes in the tank for $35 or $50 - you get a traditional pedicure.

Ho says that he’s had more than 5000 people pay to dip in the tanks in just the first four months of operation.

Would I try it? Hell yeah.. just so I could take photos and show you. My feet are really ticklish so I’m not sure I could last for 15 minutes. I doubt the idea will make it to New Zealand so I’ll have to wait til I go back home to the states probably.

Would you?

It seems that a growing number of us don’t trust our partner or spouse and we’re resorting to the latest technology to catch them doing something wrong.

Two of the most popular gadgets on the market are a device that recovers deleted text messages from mobile phones and a chemical test kit to detect traces of semen on underwear.

In Australia, OzSpy’s SIM Card Data Recovery Pro works by placing the SIM card into the gadget and then plugging it into a computer to download the stored information, which includes deleted text messages. If you’ve been worried that your wife has been sleeping around, there’s the CheckMate 5-Minute Infidelity Test Kit which works in a similar way to a home pregnancy test.

The company promoting the CheckMate claims to be selling more than 100 of each device a month nationwide in Australia — more than twice the number sold six months ago.

Currently there is no law banning the use of these sleuthing tricks by individuals. Privacy laws do not prevent snooping to find out who’s doing the dirty on you.

It IS illegal in Australia to install spy cameras without consent of those filmed. There’s the potential of 2 years in jail and more than $25,000 in fines.

I suppose it’s only natural that with all the latest technological toys, someone with a bit of savvy will try one just to satisfy themselves that their partner is true blue. I thinik if you really doubt your partner, that counseling would be a much better option to get everything out on the table and sorted out.

The owner of OzSpy in Melbourne, Australia reports that sales of spy gadgets are booming and it’s not just men, women want to know who their husbands have been emailing and texting via their phones. I’m sure it’s only men who want to check for semen on panties though!

The message to cheaters is clear — covering your tracks has never been harder. If you choose to cheat, be prepared to have your house of cards fall down around you when your wife sorts it all out.

In my opinion, the most important trait a potential partner of mine could have is kindness. Sure, having a gorgeous man on my arm might make me feel proud when I stroll in to a party or fancy restaurant or club, but it’s when I’m alone with my man that his kindness really shines. Seriously, what’s more important when you fall asleep at night, knowing you went out with a hot looking guy or that your guy made you feel wonderful about yourself several times during the day. I’ll choose feeling wonderful about myself every day of the week.

Now I’m not sayin’ I’d like a butt ugly man who never washes or brushes his teeth, far from it. It’s just that the outside bits are far less important to me than the inny bits of his character.

What else does kindness mean?

Kind people control the situation. They’re in control of every situation because they choose their actions. Every time you give up your seat for an elderly person or let the guy behind you at the supermarket checkout go ahead of you because he only has a few items, you’re in control. You are the one making things happen. Sure, the other person is benefiting, but he couldn’t have the benefit if you hadn’t done the favor.

Kind people feel stoked. Nothing feels better than when someone says thanks for something I’ve done for them. It gives me a big endorphin rush and it can last for hours. Nobody can be kind all the time, but when you are, you feel terrific and know you’ve done the right thing.

Kind people are healthier. A survey of 3,000 volunteers over a period of a year showed that they are less likely to suffer ulcers, stress and colds right after helping someone.

I’ve been accused of picking up strays by my husband but in every single instance, he’s come back to say that what we’ve done together for someone has made a big difference in our own lives.

So look for something important to do for someone else. You’ll feel better for it and you’ll be way more attractive to people like me.