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Berlin (dpa) – Few hairstyles polarise people as much as the mullet. Once a fashion faux pas, it is now firmly back in vogue. But is it a suitable look for the office? In Germany, master hairdresser Antonio Weinitschke explains why the mullet is now more about style than scandal – and how you can make it work even in everyday business life. "The difference to the 80s is huge," says Weinitschke. Compared to today, the mullet of that era was more extreme, with more volume and a stronger contrast between the front and back. In those days it was a look that stood for rebellion and pop culture. Today's mullets are softer, with gentler transitions and a more natural structure. Although it is reminiscent of the rock and country aesthetic of the 80s, the mullet now looks much more elegant and contemporary. Instead of being loud and provocative, individuality is now the focus. But what about at work – can you really wear a mullet when you're dealing with Excel spreadsheets and team meetings? The style specialist says yes, with the right attitude. "The days when there were rules dictating hairstyles in the office are over. If your mullet is cut by a professional, you can wear it in almost any industry." Of course, there are differences. In creative professions, for example, an individual look hardly stands out, but in more conservative environments such as a bank, it can still cause frowns. Nevertheless, the mullet has arrived, not only on the catwalks, but also in open-plan offices, according to Weinitschke. For everyday wear, he recommends a more subtle style. "It's best to wear it soft and loose, not too torn, which would be more of a party or band look." You can use styling cream or light hairspray to shape the mullet naturally. However, he advises against gels or strong hold products, "otherwise the look can quickly appear artificial or stuck on." So when you stand in front of the mirror in the morning, go for "casual rather than loud" and style your hair to suit your personality and work environment. An unkempt or overly styled mullet quickly looks unprofessional, says Weinitschke. "If it looks like it's from the 80s, that's a no-go." It's important that the haircut is cleanly executed and suits the wearer. Only then will it exude style consciousness rather than nostalgia. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn nam sw xxde arw

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Keep your chopping boards clean, rinse and dry your cloths and wipe the fridge monthly, say specialists. Here is your handy list of hygiene rules to help keep your kitchen bright, clean and healthy. Berlin (dpa) – Things can get hectic in the kitchen when you're chopping, frying, baking plus washing and drying up. But beware that germs can spread easily. It is "important to maintain good hygiene," says Bernd Glassl from the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association (IKW). Bacteria and other pathogens otherwise increase the risk of infection – which can lead to gastrointestinal troubles or even food poisoning. What to bear in mind when it comes to kitchen hygiene Use a different cloth for each task Use a separate cleaning or washing-up cloth for each area of the kitchen. In other words, don't use the same cloth to wipe the chopping board and clean the table or floor. You should also use different cloths for drying – one for your hands, one for work surfaces and one for dishes. "Wash cloths at a minimum of 60 degrees and change them once a week – or more often if you use them intensively," says Anna-Delia Knipper from Germany's Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). Her tip also applies to cleaning and dishcloths. The high washing temperature ensures that pathogens are killed, says Knipper, a research assistant in the Product Hygiene and Disinfection Strategies department. "In general, it is not necessary to wash textiles at 90 degrees," says Knipper. The disinfecting effect of a 90-degree wash or the addition of disinfectants only makes sense in the case of acutely communicable diseases – if recommended by a doctor or the health authorities. But the more often you prepare raw food in the kitchen, the more often you should clean or replace used cloths, sponges and brushes. Do not leave sponges and cloths in the sink Stainless steel wool and dishwashing brushes can be used to clean heavily soiled pots and pans. However, after scrubbing, burnt-on food or other residues may stick to the cleaning utensils. Such residues should be carefully removed, advises Knipper. "Plastic dishwashing brushes can be cleaned in the dishwasher," says Glassl. If you are unable to clean the stainless steel wool and dishwashing brushes, you should replace them. It is also important not to leave wet cleaning cloths and used dishwashing brushes in the sink. Utensils used for cleaning dishes and the kitchen should first be rinsed well and wrung out. That is because "bacteria can multiply quickly at room temperature, especially in damp cloths and sponges," says Knipper. Glassl says, "Damp cloths should be hung up and left to dry, as this reduces the spread of any pathogens." Sponges are less suitable for use in the kitchen than cleaning cloths or dishcloths because they dry slowly, Knipper says. She also recommends using kitchen paper to wipe up liquids and food residues. Handling frozen meat Frozen meat should not be thawed at room temperature, but rather in the refrigerator, advises the German Consumer Advice Centre. It is best to store it covered so that the meat does not come into contact with other foods. Defrosting water is a good breeding ground for germs, so it is essential to collect it and pour it away carefully or you risk spreading salmonella, which can cause bacterial gastrointestinal disease. Always store meat, poultry and fish in the coldest part of your refrigerator, meaning the lowest glass shelf above the vegetable compartment. Pay attention to hygiene during preparation Consumer protection agencies advise against rinsing raw meat, as germs can spread through splashing water. Instead, it is better to remove the meat from its packaging with a fork and place it directly into the pan. If you chop raw meat and poultry, you should generally use a different chopping board than the one you use for fruit and vegetables. If raw food has been prepared on a board, you should not use it to prepare cooked food. After coming into contact with raw meat or poultry, raw eggs, fish or vegetables, Knipper recommends thoroughly cleaning your work surfaces and equipment – ideally with hot water and washing-up liquid. Wash your hands thoroughly before and between steps, because they can also transfer pathogens to food. Also, do regularly clean the handles of drawers, the refrigerator and the dishwasher. Clean chopping boards and kitchen utensils in dishwasher For hygiene reasons, when putting crockery, cutlery and kitchen utensils in the dishwasher, you should select programmes with temperatures of at least 60 degrees Celsius. To allow the detergent to work properly, you should also avoid overloading the dishwasher. "Plastic chopping boards can usually be cleaned in the dishwasher at temperatures above 60 degrees," says Knipper. This makes them more suitable for raw foods than wooden boards. Cutting boards, whether made of wood or plastic, should have a smooth surface so that they can be cleaned easily. Boards with cuts and grooves, where bacteria can accumulate and multiply, should be replaced with new ones. Avoid aggressive cleaning agents on the hob With newer models, it may be sufficient to turn the hob up to a high temperature, as they often clean their interior automatically.However, "depending on the type of dirt, washing-up liquid or special cleaners are best for cleaning the hob," says Glassl. For light soiling, it is sufficient to wash the hob surface with washing-up water and a cloth. Special cleaners help with stubborn stains and burnt-on food. Do not use abrasive cleaners on glass ceramic hobs, as these can leave scratches. Instead, use special glass ceramic scrapers. Kitchen appliances also need care To ensure your dishwasher works well, it needs regular care. "Even the parts of the dishwasher that the spray jets don't reach, such as the rubber seal or the door edge, should be cleaned regularly with a cloth and a little detergent," says Glassl. Hygiene is also important for other household appliances. "Ideally, clean the refrigerator once a month with an all-purpose cleaner," says Glassl. Don't forget the seals on the refrigerator door. Depending on the degree of soiling and the type of use, more frequent cleaning may be necessary. If you spill something, remove it immediately with a piece of kitchen paper. Store your cleaning products separately from food – preferably outside the kitchen. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn eut bzl mod nhr xxde arw

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

Simple acts of kindness, like checking in or offering to help with errands, can go a long way. Check whether groups may be able to help support activities with neighbours where you live. London (PA Media/dpa) – In the lead up to Christmas it’s easy to get caught up in our own family celebrations and social lives, but it’s important to also keep an eye on your neighbours too. Reaching out to people in your community can help build rapport and help reduce feelings of isolation. “In society we are becoming increasingly isolated and suspicious of each other, so the benefit of reaching out to a neighbour is that you can bring some of those barriers down and realise that we’re all very similar,” says Karen Jordan, team leader at the Good Neighbours Network, a collection of over 120 local groups in the UK all offering a helping hand to others in their community. “Reaching out to your neighbours can help you realise that we all have similar problems and worries and sharing them can help reduce that burden.” She highlights that it’s particularly crucial to look out for more vulnerable groups, such any elderly neighbours who live on their own, this time of year. “A lot of our Good Neighbourhood Network groups help people who are over 65 and many of the volunteers themselves are in that age bracket,” says Jordan. “I think it’s also important to reach out to young families and mothers who might be struggling on their own and might benefit from a chat.” Here are some simple ways to be the best neighbour you can be this Christmas… Look around “I think one of the most important things that people can do to help their neighbours this Christmas and winter is to just start taking notice,” says Jordan. “Just look around and take notice of little signs that might indicate that somebody is struggling.” Get a conversation going “It can be tricky because the older generation is very proud, so often wouldn’t want to admit that they’re lonely, so that can be quite a barrier,” recognises Jordan. “I would always recommend having a very light touch about it and perhaps just start with ‘if you fancy a chat and a cup of tea anytime, just let me know’ to help get the conversation going.” Spread awareness about local groups and services Your neighbour might not be aware of all the great local groups and activities in the area, so Jordan recommends highlighting these wonderful services. “You could say I know of a local voluntary group that can help with taking people to the GP or a hospital, or has befriending services,” says Jordan. “You could phrase it in a way of wanting to spread the message about the certain group, so they don’t feel targeted.” Consider a festive gesture A small gesture like a Christmas card could help brighten someone’s day. “A lot of our Good Neighbours Network groups do Christmas specific things, such as putting on a Christmas community lunch or putting cards or small gifts through people’s doors,” says Jordan. “Small festive gestures like these are really nice.” Signpost helpful services “One of our satellite projects is to spread the message of the Priority Services Register,” says Jordan. “It’s a service that quite a wide range of people can sign up to, including people of pensionable age and people who have children under five.” To register, you need to contact your energy and/or water supplier directly, either online, by phone or in writing. “If there is a power cut or a water cut and you have signed up to the register, then you will be one of the first people who are reached out to,” explains Jordan. Offer to help with errands If you know your neighbour is unable to drive, you could ask them if they would like a lift to the shops or any upcoming hospital appointments. “Many of our Good Neighbours Network groups offer medical transport, but it isn’t just about taking them to hospital,” says Jordan. “It’s the reassurance that somebody is going to turn up at a certain time and take some of that worry of their hospital appointment away. “It’s also about knowing that they’re going to have a chat on the way there and a chat on the way back. Most of our volunteers will actually take them into the hospital or GP practice and wait for them. So, there’s that important moral support element to it as well.” Introduce them to a lunch club “A lot of local groups offer lunch clubs which are a really good way to get people out of their home and into a warm environment to have a cup of tea and a chat with somebody that they wouldn’t normally speak to,” says Jordan. The following information is not intended for publication dpa pa arw

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)