Weekend: Caught up in a planetary whirl

Skimm’d while letting someone else plan our meals — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today August 12, 2023 [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( [theSkimm Logo] Daily Skimm WEEKEND Skimm’d while [letting someone else plan our meals]( “800 pounds” — The weight of a “[Butter Cow](” sculpture that’s on display at the Illinois State Fair. An a-moo-sing sight. theSkimm With A Career Expert on Gen Z’s Supposed Challenges From laid-back [email signatures]( to ‘[Bare Minimum Mondays](,’ Gen Z employees have a rep for being “[difficult](” at work — so much so that some companies are adding [business etiquette classes]( to the cal. To learn more, we spoke with [Marla McGraw](, director of career management at Michigan State University, about how Gen Z operates in the workplace and whether they’ve earned all the [criticism](... Q: Before we get into their supposedly unprofessional workplace behavior, how much of their approach to work has to do with the pandemic? There was a big time period where [Gen Z] folks were only working remotely, and those were formative years. Typically [students] would network on campus with a company face-to-face, they would [get] a face-to-face interview, and would probably get invited to events. That way, you’d get to know people way before you start. Then at an internship, they’d invite you to activities, where you’d network with a bunch of people in person and pick up on certain things. It’s all osmosis. And if you take all that away and are only engaging online, there’s lots that you don’t get to pick up on. Q: What are some skills Gen Z employees may need more help with? When students first started to work [after COVID], they were like, ‘Is it best that the question comes through Slack? Should I approach someone? Do I message them in Teams? Do I talk to my mentor?’ We talk with employers about being more specific with students. Don’t assume that they can intuitively figure all that out. We work more and more with students around communicating with companies and their expectations … Companies don’t like the ‘hey.’ They want to communicate via email and not text. Another interesting trend is that a company will make an offer and then never hear from the student. And when you talk with students about that, it’s not out of disrespect. It’s out of, ‘I’m not sure how to decline an offer. I’m really nervous about doing that.’ Q: Didn’t millennials get similar criticism when they entered the workplace? For every generation, there are qualities that “experts” say are “good” or “bad” … The millennial generation has the reputation of being “self-indulgent” … but they tend to be very optimistic and forward thinking. Gen Z likes work flexibility, they want to show up as their authentic selves, and want to know how they can make an impact … Organizations [hiring Gen Z employees] should be prepared to be more transparent about what they can do better and how employees can be a part of that change. Q: Are there positive things Gen Z employees bring to company cultures that previous generations haven’t or couldn’t? I’m very impressed and surprised by the questions this generation asks of employers: ‘Why isn’t your board more diverse?’ … Or, ‘I want to better understand your company’s layoffs’ … Millennials were much less likely to ask the tough questions … Their questions were more about work-life balance and promotions, and those are all valid ... [Gen Z] students have seen a pandemic, school shootings, social unrest — all in their formative years. They’re asking these questions because that’s their experience, which is so different from millennials’ … It used to be, ‘you should feel lucky to work here.’ And now it’s, ‘you might be lucky to have me.’ I appreciate that quite a bit … And, I think the corporate world could stand to get a little less formal. Psst, this interview has been edited for length and clarity. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=A career management pro on teaching business etiquette to Gen Z #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) What's Happening 🤝 In relationships… Need your partner to step up at home? Check out [these five tips]( from Vienna Pharaon, plus more advice in her book, “[The Origins of You](.” If you’re getting stuck in someone’s drama, [gray rocking]( may be, well, a solid move. Oh, and while some brides still say yes to one dress, more and more go for a whole [bridal wardrobe](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🎬 In entertainment… ​​Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are bringing this [rom-com novel]( to the Netflix screen. That’s as they’re giving the [press]( plenty of royal-tea. Plus, Prime Video’s “[Red, White & Royal Blue](” is having its crowning moment. And if you forgot “who run the world,” just look at the MTV VMA’s [artist of the year]( nominees. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🧘 In wellness… TikTokers are pumped for [adrenal cocktails](, but nutritionists are popping off about the hype around [prebiotic sodas]( like Olipop and Poppi. If you’re struggling to pull off — err, pull up? — the “[unicorn exercise](,” you’re not alone. Instead, show yourself some love with an [acupressure technique]( that’s on point. Forward this to a friend. [Click here](mailto:?&subject=Check out this Daily Skimm Weekend newsletter&body=Check it out . Skimm Reads “[Tom Lake](” by Ann Patchett…Ann Patchett has a brand new book out and we couldn’t be happier. This time, she tells the story of three sisters who are back on their parents’ cherry farm during the pandemic. As they shelter in place, they ask their mother, Lara, a former actor, to tell the story of her young romance with now ultra-famous actor, Peter Duke. The story switches between the family’s present moment (with Lara happily married to the girls’ father) and her past romance with Duke. It’s cozy, and feel-good, and we recommend reading with a bowl of cherries. Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… 1. A doctor-recommended vibrator that hits allll the right spots. [This award-winning, bendable vibrator]( has 16 intensities and 12 preset app-controlled patterns. Plus it’s clinically proven to alleviate dryness. Oh, and Skimm’rs get 20% off. Good vibes (and orgasms) only.* [Get buzzin’]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. An easy, secure way to pay. Say ‘bye’ to physical credit cards and cash, and ‘hi’ to [Apple Pay](. When you’re shopping in-store, just authenticate (with Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode), tap your iPhone over the reader, and go.* [Learn more]( Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes [here](. Weekend Escape *Slams laptop shut until Monday.* We know the feeling. And we’ve got some tips for escape. From [suborbital tourism]( to [UFO hearings](, space is having a moment. However, you don't need a seat on Virgin Galactic to enjoy it. Start with the [Perseid meteor shower]( peaking overnight. This year, minimal moonlight is expected to make the show, well, out of this world. And it’s not the only celestial event on the horizon. Check out the… - [Super blue moon](. At the end of the month (Aug 30-31), look out for a rare blue moon — a [second full moon]( in a single month — that is also a [supermoon](. If you miss it, you’ll have to wait [nine years]( to catch it again. - [Annular solar eclipse](. On Oct 14, it'll look as if there's a ring around the moon. That's because the moon will be passing between the Earth and the sun. It’s not as unusual or dramatic as [a total solar eclipse](, which takes place next year for the first time in seven years, but you still shouldn’t look up without [proper glasses or solar viewers](. - [Orionids](. Around Oct 22, the Orionid meteors — dust particles left behind from Halley’s Comet — are expected to put on their annual display. The event typically includes up to 20 meteors an hour during peak time. Reminder: Light pollution may mean you have to travel outside the city to catch the show. - [Geminid meteor shower](. Predicted to peak around Dec 14, this is [one of the best]( and most reliable meteor showers of the year. That’s because you can typically catch as many as 150 meteors per hour during its peak. Plus, the show goes on all night long. …Oh and if you’re wondering, here’s how the [super blue moon]( and [annular solar eclipse]( may affect your sign. News Quiz Let’s see how well you kept up with the Daily Skimm this week. Which actress is turning a new page with a poetry book? A. Lindsay Lohan B. Megan Fox C. Hayden Panettiere D. Brittany Snow Check back tomorrow for the answer. But if you just need to know, you’ll find what you’re looking for [here](. Skimm'd by: Macy Alcido, Rasheeda Campbell, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Margaret Wheeler Johnson --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by Taylor Flewelling, PixelsEffect, Harper, Kevin Key / Slworking via Getty Images, Brand Partners Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? [Subscribe to the Daily Skimm](. --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Skimm'd something we missed? skimmthis@theSkimm.com Issues? [help@theSkimm.com](mailto:help@theskimm.com) [Advertise with us]( | [Careers]( [See our full sponsor agreement]( | [Update Your Preferences](esource=ds&date=20230812) | [Unsubscribe]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 2023 theSkimm, All rights reserved. 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