These are the most common ways to find a partner
“How did you meet?” The familiar question has historically been answered with romantic or quirky tales of mutual friends and chance encounters, all of which compel a chorus of oohs and aws. But, in recent times, those tales have taken a drastic turn—whether for better or worse remains unclear. For a very long time, likely since the very beginning of time, close friends and family have been the most prominent way to establish new connections with other people. From the end of World War II until 2013, most heterosexual Americans were still meeting their romantic partners through friends, family, school, work, and so forth. It seems, however, that those networks are becoming increasingly more irrelevant. According to a dataset analysis, the internet may have largely replaced friends and family as a way for couples to meet. Online dating is revolutionizing romance. We’ve looked extensively at how technology has changed the way we interact with others, but not as much at how it changes who we interact with. Particularly in the realm of romantic relationships, there’s a notable shift happening that affects many parts of dating. Check out this gallery to see how couples are meeting, and why meeting on the internet is so appealing.
2024-02-14T11:25:12Z
These Insanely Helpful Garden Plants Keep the Mosquitoes Away
Say goodbye to the outdoor pests. Bugs come with the territory when you’re outdoors, but some are more tolerable than others. If it feels like mosquitoes are invading your yard, it’s understandable to want to do what you can to get rid of them. Enter mosquito repellent plants. Here’s the thing: Experts say that the best way to keep mosquitoes at bay is to use personal repellents recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But if you want to go a more natural route, you may be interested in selecting certain plants—they’re just not necessarily guaranteed to work as well as a spray. “The idea that planting certain plants around your home will successfully repel mosquitoes is only supported by anecdotal evidence and not empirical evidence,” says Eva Buckner, Ph.D., assistant professor and state extension specialist at the University of Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory. It’s important to note, though, that there is some evidence that certain plants may help discourage certain mosquitoes from setting up camp in your yard—they just don’t work as well as a chemical or spray. If it feels like your outdoor space is a haven to mosquitoes, it’s a good idea to “eliminate mosquito breeding grounds on and around your property by draining standing water from flowerpots, birdbaths, grill covers, baby pools, and other sources,” says Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., board-certified entomologist and senior vice president of public affairs at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Using a small fan outside may also help keep mosquitoes away since “they are not strong flyers,” Fredericks says. But if you like the look and smell of certain plants and want to see if they keep the mosquitoes away, too, there’s no reason not to try them. These are the plants fans swear are most likely to help get rid of mosquitoes. Snap up one or a few to enhance your outdoor space.
2023-06-26T20:04:01Z
