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Let’s Hope Joe Burrow’s Football Is Better Than His Fashion Sense

In just a few minutes’ time, Super Bowl LVI will kick off between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals at the Rams’ gargantuan home field, SoFi Stadium.

It’s set to be a sports showdown of epic proportions, as well as a media extravaganza the likes of which we haven’t seen in years – including a stacked half-time show featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar.

It’s set to be a fiercely contested game. Leading bookmakers like Bet365 have the odds in the Rams’ favour, but the Bengals have had a seriously impressive 2021 season. After years of pain and suffering, as CBS calls it, it’s their first winning season, first playoff appearance, first AFC North title since 2015 and first Super Bowl appearance since 1988. We love an underdog.

But we’re worried, sports fans. We’re worried because Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was rocking a truly heinous outfit ahead of the game, and if past Super Bowls are anything to go off, bad dress sense translates to bad on-field performance. Just take a look below.

We don’t know if “Joe Shiesty” was trying to look like a zebra – or if he’s trying to become a white Cam Newton with that hat – but we do know that it’s not a great outfit, and that’s potentially a bad sign for the Bengals.

Why? Well, we’re having flashbacks to last year’s Super Bowl, where the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, stepped out ahead of Super Bowl LV in a poorly-considered outfit consisting of a too-tight suit and waistcoat paired with a bright red tie and oxfords sans socks.

That outfit was bloody awful… And the Chiefs lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Conversely, the Bucs’ quarterback, the legendary Tom Brady, was incredibly well dressed (or at least, wasn’t a fashion disaster). We’re calling it: fashion sense directly correlates with game sense.

Let’s hope we’re wrong and that Burrow helps lead the Bengals to what would be a historic win. Or, at the very least, that he takes some sartorial pointers from the Rams’ consistently stylish Odell Beckham Jr…

This Super Common Dating Move Is Not As Attractive As You Think

Playing hard to get is not as attractive as you think, a trending Reddit thread suggests.

“What’s not as attractive as people think?” was recently asked in Reddit’s r/AskReddit community (“the place to ask and answer thought-provoking questions”). The top comment in response to the question came from a Reddit user called amelia_health.

Amelia_health wrote: “Playing hard to get with a person in an attempt to get / spike their attention. No thanks. Directness about feelings = attractive.” Her comment, at the time of writing has been upvoted 1.4k times.

Other users blamed such influences as “romantic comedies” for making us think playing hard to get is attractive (or necessary).

Not that it’s always unattractive (one Reddit user wrote: “If it’s well-executed and both parties understand the game they’re playing, it’s really alluring”). But most people in the comments seemed to dislike it.

A Reddit user called UndergroundFlaws wrote: “I absolutely loathe [playing hard to get]. I remember I was talking to a friend a few years after we had a small thing and she asked why I didn’t try more with her when she was single. We flirted a lot in friend group hangouts. I asked her to go dancing with me, she said yeah and then showed up with a guy and flirted with him the whole time.”

“I immediately stopped chasing her as anything more than a friend. She told me later that I should have tried harder. I was dumbfounded.”
Reddit user UndergroundFlaws

Other things people think are attractive but aren’t, which commenters drew attention to, included showing off your riches (don’t interject your car into a conversation where it doesn’t belong”), Instagram influencers, celebrities, aggression and “your unsolicited dick pick.”

Man playing hard to get. Image Credit: iStock

Another honourable mention goes to: “That thing that boys apparently do where they make this ‘seductive face’ and lick their lips.”

“It’s not sexy and it makes them look dumb.”

Finally, another couple of insights included: “the people with the impressive socials are the ones sat on their phone all day infront of you” and the fact that “being super rude and boss” is “not cute or hot.”

“I’ve met so many people who think that it makes them look assertive and dominant but in reality, they look like huge dick.”

Got all that? Now you just need to learn the ins and outs of the latest dating trends like jibing, pedestalling and beard baiting and you should be good to go…

Finnair Just Killed Lie-Flat Business Class Seats…To Make Way For Something Even Better

Video: Sneak Peek At Finnair’s New Long Haul Business Class Seats

Finnair has done something unthinkable. As part of a renewal of its long haul business class, they have got rid of reclining business class seats. Though that might sound like it defeats the purpose of The Pointy End, it’s actually not that bad.

Why not? Well, you’re still able to lie down flat. It’s just a different design, in which you don’t need to tilt the back of your chair to do do. Instead you fill in the gaps with “infill panels” and grab one of the available mattresses to create yourself a 78 inch long bed.

There are also cushions and an ottoman in each suite. Seats are offered in a 1-2-1 configuration, meaning equal aisle access for all.

Left: close up of Finnair’s new long haul business seat. Right: down the aisle view. Credit: Finnair

Finnair developed the seats with Collins Aerospace. Footage of the seats shows a control panel in the arm rest which can be used to put a leg rest up and down, as well as to adjust options for lighting.

In a press release Finnair said the design was inspired by living room living. Social media users on TikTok said it looks “very Ikea.”

Adding to the residential, Finnish feel, duvets and pillows will be designed by Marimekko, and crockery will be from Iittala.

CNN Travel reports that the new seats will be rolled out across Finnair’s A330 and A350 fleets, “with 28 seats per cabin in the former, and up to 43 in the latter.”

CNN Travel also points out this design is lighter than many other business-class designs, and so (relatively) more environmentally friendly.

Why Men Trust Joe Rogan: ‘The Multi-Million Dollar Regular Guy’

The biggest podcaster in the world. A ‘bro dude father figure’. A firehose of misinformation. A champion of free speech. A 21st-century version of the autodidact from Nausea. Joe Rogan has been given a lot of labels in the last few weeks.

The controversy started about a month ago, when Rogan was slammed for inviting anti vaxxers on his show. Then last week a video came out showing a compilation of all the times Rogan has used ‘the n-word’ over the years.

The furore prompted some, like David Goggins, to come to Rogan’s defence (“Do I think Joe Rogan is racist? No. Was Joe wrong for saying [the n-word]? Yes”) and others to accuse him of representing everything that was wrong with America.

As an opinion piece in CNN recently put it, “The controversy…is about more than racist language or cancel culture – it speaks to deeper truths and persistent lies that help define contemporary America.”

“This myth reflects the lies Americans tell themselves about to race, democracy, free speech and capitalism. Rogan’s genius lies in the fact that he presents himself as an everyman throwback to a quieter age – an era without pandemics or Black Lives Matter protests shining a spotlight on racial privilege,” (CNN).

So: in light of all this controversy, and in light of so many of the conspiracy theorist’s he’s had on his show being debunked – and in light of Rogan himself apologising for so many of his own statements – why do men still trust him? And who are these men?

As Devin Gordon, writing for The Atlantic, put it in 2019: “Few men in America are as popular among American men as Joe Rogan. It’s a massive group congregating in plain sight, and it’s made up of people you know from high school, guys who work three cubicles down, who are still paying off student loans, who forward jealous-girlfriend memes, who spot you at the gym.”

“Single guys. Married guys. White guys, black guys, Dominican guys. Two South Asian friends of mine swear by him. My college roommate. My little brother. Normal guys. American guys.”

The same article later on claims: “It’s impossible to be a Joe Rogan completist, so most of his fans pick a few tributaries. The rest may as well not exist. Who can keep track? Rogan is a key figure in the rise of MMA—Dana White once called him ‘the best fight announcer who has ever called a fight in the history of fighting’—but I don’t care about fighting, so I didn’t listen to any of Joe’s podcasts with fighters. I also didn’t listen to Dr. Phil, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who skipped it, which is just another way of saying there’s no real way to describe ‘Joe Rogan fans.’

“They’re not aligned around any narrow set of curiosities or politics. They’re aligned around Joe.”

why do so many men trust joe rogan? right answers only
— Liz Plank (@feministabulous) February 1, 2022

And why are they aligned around Joe? A Twitter thread recently set out to answer this very question. Though there were quite a few joking (and sneering) answers, the responses, we thought, still gave something of an insight into why many men still trust Joe Rogan (as well as why people think men trust Joe Rogan).

A common theme was Rogan’s relatability. One Twitter user wrote: “He reminds them [men] of their fathers and former coaches. A bunch of small men who projected their own insecurities into abusive behaviours.”

His name is Joe. Regular Joe, Plain Joe, Cup ‘o Joe, hey Joe, GI Joe, Morning Joe… (the last one was obvious shade, but you get it ) Joe. His name is Joe. That’s all men need…
— Gérard Mclean (@gerardmclean) February 1, 2022

Another likened Rogan’s pull to that of Trump’s (“he speaks like they do”). A further user wrote: “His program validates some behaviours in men that they may feel invalidated in other spaces of life.”

“Simple lies are more appealing, to lazy people, than complex truths,” another wrote.

Because he legitimises and gives voice to their simplistic world views. Because he legitimises and gives voice to their prejudices.
— The other brother Darryl (@Ship_of_Mike) February 1, 2022

Other Twitter users were more positive on Rogan, calling others out for presuming it’s impossible that Joe Rogan offers anything of value and assuming “anyone who listens to him is deficient in some way.”

One suggested men like him: “Because after 5 beers he’s the one who asks why if elephants are so smart they can’t talk.” There’s also the fact that he “can deadlift a lot.”

Other theories included: “Creatine,” “He tells them what they want to hear, that they don’t need to change or adapt, or do something difficult” and “He speaks with confidence and doesn’t express self-doubt.”

He’s a cooler version of them, a Rush Limbaugh for a new generation/new media. Confirmation bias is part of it. Machismo. Non-conformity-conformity. Groupthink.
— Samuel Seaborn Jr. (@SEH49284160) February 1, 2022

Other men say that even though they recognise many aspects of old school masculinity are f*cked, they still feel an emotional affection for that kind of brutal, ‘don’t be a b*tch’ language, having been steeped in it for so long.

“Nostalgia and toxic masculinity,” one wrote.

Another suggested Joe Rogan offers his followers (and guests) a safe space to engage in the type of talk which half of America sees as toxic bigotry and retrograde assholery, and the other half sees as common sense.

At its core, I think he feels like a safe space for many. Ironic maybe, but he’s cultivated this platform that they see as fair and balanced, with that hypermasculine “no one is gonna tell me what to think” ethos behind it too.
— Chuck Aoki (@Aoki5Chuck) February 1, 2022

Another man theorised: “Generally speaking the men who ‘trust’ Joe Rogan prefer rugged individualism over facts, nuance, and complex knowledge. Why seek out true knowledge experts when a comic and combat sports broadcaster has penetrated the mainstream?”

Because Joe Rogan runs 3 hour podcasts with interesting guests. You have to be genuine in that context. His guests cannot rely just repeating talking points and sound bites like you see in those 3-minute interviews on cable news. It’s real talk.
— Egg. Cracking. (@uncracktheegg) February 1, 2022

Along similar lines, another quipped: “They believe they will receive a testosterone boost by association.”

Because he’s confident, strong (physically), witty (to them), successful, and a free thinker (again, image not reality). A lot of men want to be strong, smart, successful, and confident and if not, at least be associated with someone who is. He checks a lot of boxes.
— The Weird Machine (@weird__machine) February 1, 2022

Further takes can be seen below.

There’s an unconscious unhealed aspect of the collective drawn to low vibrational broadcasting of projections. ‘It’ recognizes the unprocessed feeling as attraction and aligns.
— Mel’s Love Land (@MelsLoveLand) February 1, 2022

I think this sums up the whole Joe Rogan thing perfectly… pic.twitter.com/XRpfhS7dcS
— Richard Kimble M.D. (@DrRichardK_CMH) February 2, 2022

He built up a familiarity over the course of many dude’s whole lives, and then produced content with a ton of celebrities to lure people in, that was amplified by all the platforms for consistently having so many streams. And his content is simple to understand.
— ashley fairbanks (@ziibiing) February 1, 2022

He’s literally just a regular guy talking to people. he’s not pretending to be someone. not trying to be cool. he just smokes and drinks and has a conversation. it’s not a interview or pretending.
— Joseph R Bristol (@datguy_therapy) February 1, 2022

People in general trust people they hear from regularly. His audience trusts him and it’s mostly men because his main exposure recently has been UFC. A sport who’s fans are primarily men. I’ve listened to him for years, but primarily when he has a specific guest or topic.
— Mike Natale (@TheNatale) February 1, 2022

Some of the other reasons men trust Joe Rogan is that many other influential, trusted figures call him a friend and have defended his character on various occasions. He seems to treat his friends with loyalty and receive the same in return.

There’s also the fact that he encourages his listeners to workout, but isn’t an evangelical ‘no cheat days’ kind of guy (he loves whiskey and weed almost as much as he likes saunas and ice baths).

The previously mentioned Atlantic article also makes some good points regarding why many men like Joe Rogan, which we’d like to amplify.

The article, speaking about the podcast episode between Rogan and Elon Musk, wrote: “There was also much sneering at the episode’s faux intellectualism—the way Rogan and Musk often sounded like a couple of freshmen ripping bong hits in a college dorm room at 2 a.m. Which would be a fair analogy, if the other person in the dorm room was Elon Musk, and after everyone passed out he went to the engineering lab and built a rocket.”

In other words, even though Rogan is often accused of being a faux intellectual and having on pretentious guests who use fancy words but say very little, he genuinely has some smart f*ckers on his show.

The same Atlantic journalist also opined that men love Rogan because of his attitude, not his politics, claiming that his enthusiasm for life means many can love listening to him despite him being friends with (and giving airtime to the views of) people they really dislike, like Alex Jones.

“If all you know about Joe Rogan is his Wikipedia entry—Fear Factor, UFC, stand-up, podcasts with Elon Musk and Alex Jones—and if you make no effort to learn more, he might seem like this gang’s pied piper,” the Atlantic article reads. “And he does give them a platform with a massive audience, which is not just a programming choice but a moral one. So you can see why some might view Joe Rogan as Tyler Durden from Fight Club, a movie you just know Joe Rogan loves, based on a novel by a writer you just know Joe Rogan has had on his podcast (Chuck Palahniuk, episode No. 1158).”

“But that’s not why people are obsessed with him. In reality, it’s because Joe Rogan is a tireless optimist, a grab-life-by-the-throat-and-bite-out-its-esophagus kind of guy, and many, many men respond to that. I respond to that. The competitive energy, the drive to succeed, the search for purpose, for self-respect. Get better every day. Master your domain. Total human optimization. A goal so hazy and unreachable that you never stop trying, until you realize with a kind of enviable Zen clarity that the trying is the whole point.”

That’s the good side. The bad side to Joe, according to the same Atlantic article, is that along this journey of human optimisation you can become too self-centred.

“One of the downsides of total human optimization is that you’re always coming up short, and in the wrong stew of testosterone and serotonin, it can turn into a poison of self-loathing and trigger-cocked rage,” the Atlantic article stated. “And a key thing Joe and his fans tend to have in common is a deficit of empathy. He seems unable to process how his tolerance for monsters like Alex Jones plays a role in the wounding of people who don’t deserve it.”

“Jones’s recent appearance on the podcast came after he was sued by families of children and educators murdered in the Sandy Hook massacre—a mass shooting that Jones falsely claimed was a hoax, which families of the victims say prompted his gang of fans to harass them. (Jones has since acknowledged that the Sandy Hook massacre occurred.) So is Joe really nurturing a generation of smarter, healthier, more worldly men, or an army of conspiracy theorists and alt-right super soldiers? At the very least, he shows too much compassion for bad actors, and not enough for people on the receiving end of their attacks.”

Though some argue America needs more ‘across the aisle’ people and interviewers (and friends), the author of this Atlantic article says it’s one of Joe’s biggest flaws: “He wants you to know that he doesn’t agree with much of what they say, but he also wants you to know that off camera they’re the nicest guys. If we all have fatal flaws, this is Joe’s: his insistence on seeing value in people even when he shouldn’t, even when they’ve forfeited any right to it, even when the harm outweighs the good. It comes from a generous place, but it amounts to careless cruelty. He just won’t write people off, and then he compounds the sin by throwing them a lifeline at the moment when they least deserve it.”

On a positive note, in light of his latest controversies, Joe has shown signs of realising this flaw, releasing a video suggesting he will in future provide controversial guests with disclaimers and endeavour to challenge controversial assertions better, while still maintaining the philosophy of inviting a wide range of guests on his show.

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A post shared by Joe Rogan (@joerogan)

There you have it. Some of the reasons men trust Joe Rogan – the “multi-million dollar regular guy.”

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Joe Rogan Introduces Followers To Brand New Form Of Fitness Torture

The post Why Men Trust Joe Rogan: ‘The Multi-Million Dollar Regular Guy’ appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Best Bondi Date Spots 2022

The season’s warming up and that means you’re in the mood for some loving. Easy tiger. Before things get wild and steamy you first need to impress your date – the most crucial part of any Magnificent Bastard’s job.We always like to say that if you’re going to do it, do it right the first time and get pulses racing with your charm backed with a killer location to score that home run. Welcome to the best date spots and date places in Bondi.

Eat

It’s not always about the chit-chat. Every man and his confidant needs a decent feed and you can do so whilst waxing lyrical at these proven hot spots for freshly minted lovers.

Sefa Kitchen

sefa Middle Eastern is the name of the game here and it comes highly regarded amongst Bondi locals. The date portion is bound to go well with the restaurant serving up cool small tapas dishes to keep things light so that there’s room for sharing and conversing. There’s also some nice wines and cocktails on the menu shall you and they lover be needing it. Be sure to book this place ahead if you’ve locked down a second date.292 Bondi Rd, Bondi

Raw Bar Japanese Restaurant

raw We’re calling it: Raw serves up the best Japanese in Bondi and rightly so since it was a local pioneer of the wildly popular cuisine way back in 1995. The menu scrubs up pretty well with favourites including tempura, sashimi, nigiri, hand rolls and udon noodle soups. If the date isn’t impressed with the food after a stint then you can conclude that they are not the one. If they are the one, take them to the airy outdoor space where you can watch the sunset and make onlookers cringe at your unruly PDA.1/136 Warners Ave, Bondi

North Bondi Fish

bondifish You don’t mess with a local icon and North Bondi Fish has fought its way up to the upper echelons of the Eastern Suburbs eating precincts. If the name didn’t give it away, these guys specialise in casual seafood dining thrown in with vibrant salads and share plates. Drinks are notably coastal inspired with a selection of signature cocktails. Book ahead early and you can score a spot on the balcony for more sunset gazing.120 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi

The Nine

nine Day walkers needn’t be excluded from the game of love. For the perfect Bondi spot made for lunch dates, hit up The Nine. The beautifully appointed decor pairs seamlessly with the selection of freshly prepared brunch favourites including more healthy options than you can poke a stick at. A cosy little option if you’re busy at dusk.163 Glenayr Ave, Bondi Beach

Drink

When it needs to be a quick date make it one of the best places for a sneaky tipple before embarking on the night’s other proceedings. Here are the best date places for the romantic drinker.

The Corner House

corner They do food as well but that’s not why you’re here. The Corner House boasts one of Bondi’s most extensive alcohol lists including wines, beers, cocktails and ciders. We’d recommend heading upstairs to steal a spot on the bench or balcony.281 Bondi Rd, Bondi

Speakeasy

speakeasy-sydney-bar For those who like their dark and intimate spaces to engage in a spot of courtship, there’s no better place than Bondi’s Speakeasy. The bar is hidden away and evokes a regal lounge room feel which makes chilling without Netflix a breeze. There’s also small nibblies shall you need it.83 Curlewis Street, Bondi Beach

Anchor Bar

anchorbar If your date is a bit of a thrillseeker than Anchor Bar is the place to be with a grungier feel that doesn’t compromise on the fun factor. You can also score some food in there if need be making for a night filled with food and laughs – the perfect catalyst for round two.8 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach

Neighbourhood

Run by Bondi’s cool kids, Neighbourhood sports a great vibe and it’s always packed with patrons. It might not sound like the most ideal date spot but pop out back and you’ll seldom be seen. Their eclectic mix of Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine is also pretty spot on too.

The post Best Bondi Date Spots 2022 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

This 3 Movement Workout Could Be Easiest Way To Strenghthen Your Entire Body

Working out doesn’t have to be hard. Yes, a full week training program consisting of various chest workouts, back workouts and leg workouts may eventually gift you the results you seek – coupled with a proper diet – but it comes at the cost of a lot of time.

This is where performing several, more simple exercises in one hit for a specified amount of time can come in handy. They don’t require a great deal of investment and can (usually) be completed anywhere you find yourself.

A perfect example of one of these workouts has come courtesy of Bill Maeda, personal trainer at, and owner of, FitPro Hawaii. Bill has become a bit of a TikTok star, posting regular videos of his workouts that are simple to follow yet incredibly effective. One of his latest shows him performing three movements whilst holding a pair of light dumbbells, that he says will “bomb your core while improving balance, agility and cardio in a short workout.”

The three movements included in Bill’s workout are a swing lunge, narrow-stance squat and an overhead press, and when combined together, they make on hell of a combo. Here’s how to perform them:

Swing Lunge: A swing lunge is similar to a reverse lunge, however, instead of simply putting one foot behind you and keeping the weights held by your sides to perform a reverse lunge, there is a different movement pattern. You instead want hold the dumbbells out in front of you at shoulder height, and swing down towards your sides and out behind you as you perform the reverse lunge. The end position should be down in a full lunge position with the dumbbells out behind you and just above your calves. Start with the dumbbells held with an underhand grip in front of you, and then during the movement, rotate your wrists so that you’re holding them in a neutral grip (palms facing in).
When you’re back to the starting position after completing a swing lunge on one side, hold the dumbbells with an underhand grip at shoulder height and perform a narrow-stance squat. Your feet should be in a natural standing position (in line with your shoulders). Squat down, brace your core before you do so (tucking your pelvis in can help to maintain stability) and ensuring your knees don’t go over your toes.
As you return to a standing position from the squat, push the dumbbells up above your head, continuing to hold them with an underhand grip. Make sure to not flair your elbows too much.
Once you have completed these three movements, run through them again, only this time, perform the swing lunge on the opposite side of the body. Throughout the entire duration of the exercises, keep your eyes locked on an object in front of you.

Bill posted a follow-up video to answer how many sets and reps you should perform, since so many users were asking. He says he takes a “different perspective on this one,” and adds “first, you should ensure you can perform each part of this exercise without weights before you chain them altogether.”

“That in itself could be several workouts but combining the movements becomes a skill.”

“When learning a new skill like driving there are too many variables at play that compartmentalise into sets or reps. Treat this exercise similarly, as a skill that cannot be learned under the confines of fatigue or time limits. By then, you’ll know what’s appropriate to program for yourself.”

Essentially, practice the workout using just bodyweight to get the technique nailed down, and that you can move fluidly from one movement to the next. From here, you can begin to add weight, but as Bill says at the beginning, you only need to use light weights (Bill is using 15lbs dumbbells for reference).

This is something fellow fitness trainer Paul Sklar has encouraged himself, claiming “If you have the right mind-muscle connection, it doesn’t matter how much weight you use,”

“Make the most out of any exercise you do, because each one may work a lot more than you think they do.”

Give Bill’s three movement dumbbell workout a try next time you’re at the gym, or have some time to spare at home and you’ll not only been an incredible burn, but it could help to strengthen your entire body.

TAG Heuer’s Latest Connected Smart Watch Is A Game-Changer

When smartwatches really started to take off in the mid-2010s, the watch industry must have been having flashbacks to the quartz crisis of the 70s. Smartwatches posed yet another existential threat: not only are they infinitely more capable than a mechanical watch, but they quickly also became desirable; they became status symbols.

Of course, the rise of the smartwatch hasn’t doomed the luxury watch – far from it. Indeed, there’s never been a more exciting time to be into traditional watches. But the savviest watch brands have realised they can have their cake and eat it too – or, rather, that they can’t ignore smartwatches. And that’s what TAG Heuer has done better than just about any watchmaker in the game.

The 162-year-old Swiss firm got into the high-end smartwatch game early back in 2016 with their innovative Connected watch: an elegantly-executed design that has quickly become one of the brand’s best-selling products. TAG has actively improved and iterated on the Connected over the years, introducing new in-house apps as well as making it a doddle to customise, from different digital watch faces to a wide range of straps.

Now, in 2022, they’ve unveiled perhaps the biggest update to the Connected yet, titled the Connected Calibre E4: one that brings a brand-new case size to the table, as well as a whole suite of new features that make the watch even more robust and capable.

The 42mm and the 45mm Connected Calibre E4s, side by side. The 42mm’s thinner bezel makes it immediately stand out against the more conventional 45mm.

The big news is that the Connected is now available in a 42mm case size – clearly a move to make the watch more accessible to a wider audience. The 42mm model (ref. SBR8010) is immediately visually distinct from the existing 45mm model, featuring a wafer-thin bezel (with the bezel scale hidden underneath the crystal); a slightly rounder, thinner case and a different range of strap options.

The 45mm variant (ref. SBR8A10) has also received a visual update, too. Its crown is now larger and rubberised, meaning you can adjust it using just a fingertip, TAG say. They also say that the watch’s pushers have been redesigned to have a more mechanical feel, and are also more flush to the case, sloping slightly inward.

Under the hood, the 42mm and 45mm both offer identical performance: the 42’s battery is slightly smaller, but then the watch is smaller too. Both boast enough charge to run one full day on a full charge (a 30% improvement over the outgoing 45mm model).

Other technical improvements the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 brings to the table include Bluetooth 5.0, an faster Snapdragon 4100 processor, and a built-in altimeter, which will help users track more accurately outdoor activities such as running or cycling, complementing existing sensors like the watch’s accelerometer, heart rate monitor, compass and GPS.

L-R: a 45mm model displaying the new guided workout feature, and a 42mm model showing off one of the many customisable digital dial options (as well as the available stainless steel bracelet).

Another new feature that health fanatics will love is TAG’s new guided workout feature, which is built into the watch and doesn’t require a smartphone. Accessed through the Connected’s sports app, this feature prompts users through pre-set workouts using 3D guides, and when users finish their exercise, the watch vibrates to indicate that it is time to move on to the next one.

For users who already have their own routine (or their own fitness coach), it’s also easy to customise: you just punch in your own routine and it’ll guide you through, too. The Connected has always been respected for its particular focus on health and fitness, and this new feature will no doubt reinforce that reputation.

Of course, the Connected Calibre E4 isn’t just about workouts. Like previous models, the sports app can keep track of running (indoor and outdoor), cycling, swimming and even your golf game, the latter of which is particularly impressive.

The Calibre E4 also has a new, rather special charger which is designed to be used as a nightstand – which is kind of old-school, but pretty cool. Elegant and unobtrusive, it’s perfect if you also use your smartwatch as an alarm.

The Connected Calibre E4’s charger/nightstand.

All in all, the Connected Calibre E4 is a substantial and exciting update for the popular smartwatch, which reaffirms TAG’s position at the top of the heap when it comes to high-end smartwatches. The Connected’s value proposition keeps getting better and better without sacrificing the luxury and refinement that TAG has always been known for.

Prices start at AU$2,600 and AU$2,950 for the 42mm and 45mm models respectively (paired with a rubber strap), with different strap options and case finishes commanding higher premiums.

Discover the new TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 collection at TAG Heuer’s online boutique here.

How To Make Friends In Paris, According To An Australian Expat

Many people go to Paris with big dreams of making friends. But they are often in for a rude awakening.

The reality is, going to France and trying to score a friend as if they were a Pokemon card is going to come off as insincere, and not going to work (and for good reason).

At the risk of sounding like a cliche-driven Emily In Paris writer, if you want to fit in better, you might want to show off that you can get down with the schadenfreude, and not be too positive and enthusiastic.

On that note, Australian in Paris, Lili Debois, has done a number of skits, which illustrate how even Australians have it in them to start embracing some of the French-style humour. And it can even help you make friends. You just have to – we reckon – learn to be a little bit more nasty. Just a little.

“Here are my tips how to make friends in France,” Lili said in one video. “Go to your closes metro and head to [we didn’t catch the exact name, but if you live in Paris you would probably recognise it].”

“When you get to …. tip number 2 get on the… [name of a train line]. When you get there, head to Charles de Gaulle… the international airport, get on a plane and go home to your own country.”

She then starts laughing and says: “mais non je rigole. Tu peux faire les amis en France. Mais parle en francais peut etre” (Nah I’m just joking. You can make friends in France. But maybe speak French).

Video: How To Make Friends In France

Lili’s TikTok followers chimed in saying finding a good friend in Paris is like finding a “star in the universe” and writing such comments as “this is the best piece of advice I’ve ever heard” and “just offer us cheese it’s not hard .”

“I have been in France for three years and I have heaps of friends. I think it all depends on you and how you approach people .”
TikTok user Zhuli ENAAM

Another wrote: “It works omg.”

“Still haven’t made any real friends and it’s been 5 months ,” another lamented, wallowing with other users who complained how hard it was to make friends in France without speaking French.

Yet another proffered: “I lived in France for a couple of years when I was a student and made tons of friends whom I’m still in touch with. I do speak French though.”

Lili replied to this: “Yes I’ve made friends here through working I think study and work really helps.”

Another TikTok user cheekily suggested: “Tips to make friends in France, (I’m French) DONT.”

Though this comment may sound xenophobic, not only could it just be a joke, but there could also be a grain of truth to it, in that you will possibly find it easier to make friends if you don’t come across as trying too hard to make friends. Just be yourself and allow things to happen naturally.

In other words: if you’re being ribbed by some potential new French friends, don’t take it too personally, but be more of a dick back. You might gain some newfound respect.

As we wrote last year, sometimes not being accepted when you travel can actually be a good thing.

Another TikTok user @maraleebell, an American who has a video series of herself trying to “not look American” in France, has a skit which sums up what can happen if you are overly enthusiastic at a Parisian dinner party.

At the dinner party she says “good evening” to a new acquaintance only to be told, “you are American.”

This makes her think: “Ugh, how do they always know?”

“Yes, I am American. My name is maralee. Can I ask: ‘how did you know? What gave me away?’”

“The teeth. All Americans have the big shiny teeth. Very white.”

Though @maralee thought this might be a positive stereotype, one TikTok commenter suggested otherwise, writing: “It’s not a compliment. The French says if your teeth don’t show you eat desserts, coffee or smoke you haven’t begin living.”

“It’s because they smile so much it’s like they are trying to catch flies,” proffered another.

Another commenter wrote; “French people; ‘we’re not mean.’ Also French people: ALWAYS ATTITUDE TO STRANGERS.”

Another good thing to remember is that a lot of stereotypes are overblown. As one New York Times article once put it: “I have lots of anecdotal stories about friendly or rude people all over the world, but that’s just it, they’re anecdotal. They have to be. So if someone tells you, ‘Oh, don’t go there, those people were rude to me on my vacation,’ all that says is that person met someone rude. Nothing more. I’ve encountered rude people in countries known to be super friendly, and I met countless friendly people in countries known for being rude.”

“It’s all just stereotypes. However, when you’re traveling, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re a visitor. It all may seem wondrous to you, but to them it’s their home. Treating it, and them, with respect will go a long way.”

Another good point to note is that some of the best friendships are forged on difference – you don’t actually need to always fit in to make friends, you just need to be willing to cop it a little for your differences, and give a little back to your tormenters/friends, and voila, friendship just might blossom.

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The post The Ultimate Hack To Making Friends In Paris appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Forget Lewis Hamilton: Sebastian Vettel’s Hair Transformation Is The Story Of The Year

The 2022 Formula One grid might be filled with talented young guns like George Russell, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, but there’s one old dog who’s still more than capable of a few new tricks: Sebastian Vettel.

These days, the 34-year-old German might be one of the ‘elder statesmen’ of the sport alongside names like Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, but it’s easy to forget that Vettel was once the wunderkind of F1: a brash, young and exceptionally talented driver who scooped up an impressive four World Championships before the age of 26. To this day, Vettel remains the youngest Formula One World Champion, having clinched his first title in 2010 at the age of 23.

At the start of 2021, though, we were worried that Vettel might be getting on a bit. Photos from pre-season testing this time last year worryingly showed that Vettel had lost most of his hair, the driver’s forehead stretching well behind his ears and his pate looking embarrassingly thin. Comparisons to fellow World Champion Lewis Hamilton’s retreating hairline were immediately offered.

But now, just before the 2022 season kicks off, photos of Vettel have emerged with him sporting a full head of hair – indeed, almost as much hair as Seb rocked during his Justin Bieber haircut days back in 2010. Fans have been very receptive to the new look on social media, but what gives? What’s Vettel done to get his luscious locks back?

Hamilton in 2010 looking rather thin on top, and again in 2020 rocking an impressive afro. Images: Getty / @lewishamilton

Some have speculated that Vettel’s done what Hamilton did back in the day and invested in a good hair transplant. Lewis Hamilton’s hair transplant is already the stuff of legends: it’s been so successful that in recent years Lewis has been able to rock full afros and braid his hair in long locks. It’s truly impressive.

Others posit that Vettel hasn’t had a hair transplant, but that he’s just not as stressed at his new team, Aston Martin, as he was at Ferrari. Vettel left Red Bull, where he’d won his four World Championships, for Ferrari at the end of 2014. Despite coming second in the World Championship in 2017 and 2018, Vettel never quite achieved the same sort of success with Ferrari as he did with Red Bull.

Many insiders have said that Vettel’s time at Ferrari was extremely stressful for the German champ, which might have contributed to his severe hair loss. Since moving to Aston Martin – a much smaller outfit – Vettel has been noticeably more relaxed, despite (or maybe because) it’s not a championship-contending team. 12 months away from Ferrari has been all Vettel needed to get his locks back.

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A post shared by Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant (@astonmartinf1)

The only thing we don’t like about Vettel’s new look is that he seems to have become allergic to actually styling his hair. Brush your hair, brother.

The 2022 Formula One World Championship kicks off in just over a month’s time with the Bahrain Grand Prix on the 18–20th of March.