In order for you to make the right sounds with your slide, you need to learn to mute the strings above where your sliding. This will keep the strings from unwanted vibrations and keep them from producing unwanted sounds. To do this, gently press your fingers on the strings. Use just enough pressure to keep the strings from making unnecessary noises as they vibrate. To play your slide correctly, you need to make sure you are pressing it in the right place. You should not press the string under or above the fret because the note will sound flat. You should also not press the string into the fretboard. Even if your eyes say that you are directly above the fret, listen to the note. If it sounds flat or wrong in any way, move your slide up and down until it makes the right note. To start learning to slide, pick a note on your guitar. Muting the other strings with your non-slide fingers, press gently with the slide and then move it up and down the strings to make the sliding sound. You can start slow to get a feel for the different technique of playing and motions needed to play with the slide on. If you are using the slide on your middle finger, you will not be able to mute the strings. Just apply gently enough to get the sound you want. Try playing songs you are familiar with using your slide to get used to the different feel of the technique. When you use a slide, you should not press too hard on the strings. This will make the strings touch the fretboard, which will cause your guitar to make strange, unpleasant sounds. Move your hand up and down to gauge how hard you are pressing. If it's hard to move the slide, you should lighten your pressure. The more you move your hand around, the better feel you will have for the strings. As you play note after note, the strings will continue to reverberate. If you slide up the string to your next note, all the notes in between will play as well. To avoid this, mute the strings between different notes using your other hand. You can use the finger that you are picking with or the heel of your hand to help mute the strings. Sliding between the notes is part of the slide sound. However, if you slide between the notes you play, the sound can get overwhelming or redundant. Practice different songs to decide when to slide and when you should mute the strings.

Summary: Mute the strings above your slide. Press the slide directly above a fret. Slide into the notes. Use gentle pressure. Mute the strings between notes.

Even if you feel comfortable with physical affection or physical demonstrations of familiarity, do not assume that the people around you feel the same way. Even in informal situations, stick to a simple bow and maintain a healthy distance. This is particularly important as people of different sex and gender identifications as it maybe be considered inappropriate and impolite to exchange physical contact in public, not because of queer identification, however, because traditionally on a binary system individual of different sex/gender identification do not engage in excessive physical contact. In more informal situations, you can make eye contact, but do not hold it for an extended period of time. Instead, allow your gaze to linger for a matter of seconds before moving to another focal point. Follow the lead of the person with whom you are associating. If they do not initiate eye contact, you should follow suit. Even in informal situations, you should offer a bow as a form of greeting. The depth of your bow will determine how much reverence or respect you are offering, so a small bow from the waist or a gentle dip of the head will suffice for an informal setting. If you do not know the people to whom you are bowing, engage in a more pronounced bow and reserve gentle nods for acquaintances or known colleagues. In an informal setting, feel free to offer up a handshake, but do not be too firm or aggressive. Instead, keep your hand loose. Handshakes are also not held as long in Japan as they might be in Europe or the United States. Rather than holding a firm handshake for ten seconds or more, grasp hands for a maximum of five seconds before letting go. Large displays of emotion are not common in Japanese culture, so don't be surprised if you do not encounter a lot of friendly smiling. If you are familiar with someone, however, don't feel you have to shy away from smiling or grinning.

Summary: Avoid direct contact. Hold only brief eye contact. Give a small bow or dip of the head. Shake hands. Offer a smile.

If you live in a relationship where your wife is the primary house cleaner, take some time and pitch in. The extra time you save her that day will allow her to do something else she enjoys. She will also appreciate your consideration in taking an active role in keeping your home clean and tidy. Household chores could also mean taking care of children. Brushing teeth, going to the toilet, combing hair, getting dressed, and eating breakfast is a time-consuming process. If you can pitch in or take the responsibility away from your wife a couple days of a week, she will appreciate both the time you save her and your interest in the kids. If feeding, grooming, and taking the dog for a walk is not usually your responsibility, go ahead and take care of the dog or other pets once in a while. It will make both your wife and the pooch happy. A few nights a week, wash the dishes and silverware or even better, polish them. Try doing the same with the laundry, washing and ironing so she doesn't have to. Let your wife know how much you appreciate all the work she does around the house. There is little enjoyment in household chores, running the children all over town, and going grocery shopping, often while working another job as well. If you do not participate in any of these responsibilities, then let your wife know how impressed you are with her abilities to multitask. Acknowledging your wife's hard work is important because there are few, if any, awards, salary increases, or promotions for the jobs she does around the house. She deserves the credit for keeping the family moving forward. Recognize your wife's contributions by telling her she is the reason why you call this a "home" and not a "house." This will prove to her that you appreciate how she puts her heart, love, and skill into making this your home. Little things can make big things happen. Take notice if your wife gets a haircut, wears new jewelry, or changes a routine meal with new ingredients. She will be happy that you care enough to notice when she does something different. Other little things you can do is hold your wife's hand if you are out taking a walk or put your arm around her when you are sitting together in front of the television. These little "love messages" let your wife know you still care and that you are happy that she is with you. Don't forget to say "Thank you!" Remember, just because you are married does not mean that she is still not a woman, or human being. Saying thank you shows appreciation for all the hard work.
Summary: Assist with household chores. Take notice of her work. Notice the little things.