Q: You may notice quirky or even unfriendly behaviors in your new step family, but it's best to keep your comments to yourself. Focus on their positives instead. You may think your biological family agrees with your comments, but it may make them uncomfortable. They may be trying to adjust to this new life, and you are getting in the way. Asking for a little spending cash can be a recipe for disaster. Step parents should take steps to treat step children like their own, but they should also respect their biological parent's rules. Stepchildren shouldn't see a new stepparent as an extra well of cash. They are not your personal bank, so don't put tension on the relationship by trying to make a withdrawal. Do not expect your stepparent to allow you to act out simply because he or she is not your biological parent. You may be upset about your new stepparent or step siblings, and that's okay, but don't use it as an excuse to be outright rude. Remember that this is a struggle for them, too, and they still deserve to be treated with basic human respect. It may seem like the best way to form new bonds is by trying hard all the time. This is not necessarily true. Ask your biological parent if you can do something just the two of you. You shouldn't try to exclude your stepfamily from every single event, but it's good for you to get some one-on-one time with your biological family, too. Expect your stepparent to have different behaviors and reactions reactions than your biological parent. Know that your stepmom might not be cool with something your biological mom allows you to do. Don't make assumptions about how your stepparent will behave or react.
A: Avoid gossip and behind-the-back insults. Keep money out of the equation. Don't be rude. Ask for some alone time with your biological family. Accept that your stepparent is different.

Q: When possible, avoid leaving your bike in areas with high incidents of bike theft. Your local bike shop or police department should know where the most bike theft occurs. People hanging around near a bike rack may be there to steal bikes or to tip off a bike thief as soon as you leave. Thieves know where commuters typically leave their bikes unattended for a full workday, and will be more confident about spending a long time to steal a bike. The more pedestrians there are, and the easier they can see your bike, the harder it is for a thief to unobtrusively break your locks. If possible, place your bike in view of a nearby building's video surveillance camera. Even if this fails to deter a thief, you may be able to obtain footage of the theft to aid in recovery. Don't assume that every bike rack is a safe option. Use an object with these attributes when locking your bike: Thick and sturdy. Don't select a wooden fence or thin steel object that can quickly be cut apart. Hard to disassemble. Check metal racks or railings for bolts; these can be removed by a dedicated thief. Firmly fastened to the ground. A strong thief or a team of thieves could simply pick up and remove a heavy object with the bike attached. Shake signposts to test whether they are anchored firmly to the pavement. Impossible to lift the bike over. A tall thief could simply lift your bike over the top of the object and take it home to remove the lock in private. Try to use something that is attached to the ground in two places, such as a sturdy bike rack, since a very dedicated thief could use a rope to hoist your bike even over a relatively tall object. The bikes at the end of a row of bikes are most visible to thieves but also the easiest for them to work on unobtrusively. Make sure you don't lock your bike to another bike with a careless cable lock.
A: Know the neighborhood. Try not to lock your bike in front of loiterers. Don't use a train station or other commuter location. Select a well-lit area with plenty of foot traffic. Find an immovable object for locking the bike. Lock your bike between other bikes when possible.

Q: If you used an extra blade feature (such as for julienning), return it to its original hidden position. If your main blade is adjustable, set it to its lowest position. Wipe slowly from the base of the blade to the tip, to reduce the chance of cutting yourself. Once any food scraps or stains are gone, rinse off the soap under running water. Put it on the rack to air dry, or dry it carefully with a towel. Storing the mandoline while wet can lead to rust. Mandolines are significantly more dangerous than knives. Never leave them somewhere a child could reach. Ideally, keep your mandoline in a labeled container. Never place it loose in a drawer or on a high shelf where someone might put their hand without looking. An occasional deep clean is a good idea if you use your mandoline often. Most plastic mandolines and some stainless steel mandolines can be run through the dishwasher, but hand washing is gentler on the blades. When washing by hand, handle with caution and consider wearing cut-resistant gloves.
A:
Adjust all blades for maximum safety. Wipe the blade with a wet, soapy cloth. Dry thoroughly. Store away from children and pets. Give it a thorough clean when necessary.