This Contest In No Way Condones Leaf Blowers

It’s time for The Slice’s Best Leaves of Autumn Contest.

We know it’s early and that many leaves are still green. But we want to give you time to plan your hunt.

Here’s how to enter: 1. Find a leaf exhibiting eye-catching fall colors. 2. Wrap it in such a way as to offer it a bit of protection. 3. Mail it to The Slice in time for us to receive it by October 29. Include a phone number.

Judges will look for entries projecting beauty, character and an innate Inland Northwest sense of place. There will be prizes.

All about men: A review of a new book on the physiology and psychology of smell noted an interesting finding. Apparently, in a business context, some men tend to have low opinions of other men who wear fragrances.

Of course, there are lots of other behaviors that can make one man think less of another. Here are a few examples, compiled by The Slice Institute for Social Research.

1. Never admitting you were wrong.

2. Failure to recognize relative importance of spectator sports.

3. Projecting belief that children’s concerns are a women’s issue.

4. Wearing sunglasses indoors.

5. Tendency to become an idiot in the presence of beautiful women.

6. Having a simpering laugh.

7. Bullying the powerless.

8. Saying phony things like “I relate to women exactly the same way I relate to men.”

9. Talking tough in safe situations.

10. Never making eye contact.

11. Talking about your feelings so much and so often that even touchy-feely women start wishing you were the strong, silent type instead.

12. Imagining that an expensive car or truck is a good substitute for an appealing personality.

13. Homophobia.

14. Thinking there is something wrong about not wanting to dance.

15. Looking around to see who is listening before proceeding with a joke or story.

16. Pretending that you don’t perk up when the big boss is nearby.

17. Being cheap.

18. Assuming people want to hear your testimonials to your own virility.

19. Apologizing for having zero interest in poetry or wine.

20. Poor hygiene.

Add this cat to the list of Spokane area workplace pets: DC, at the Comic Book Shop’s outlet center on Broadway. (That’s its secret identity.)

Today’s Slice question: How many people around here work for businesses where turnover is so high long-timers don’t bother introducing themselves to new staffers anymore?

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: The Slice appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Write The Slice at P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; fax (509) 459-5098. A Ritzville reader told about how her younger sister raised eyebrows by repeatedly using the slang term “horny” to describe various people when she meant to say “dorky.”