Some do, most don't. It isn't a case of having to use all those days - it's having the option of staying home if and when you are sick without worrying unduly about how you will pay rent that month.

I'm always amazed at the contrast in treating children (and their parents) in the US vs a lot of European countries, e.g. it's back to school in most parts of Switzerland around now. And there are appeals by the police for parents to NOT drive their first grade children to school but to let them learn how to get there…

Strange to me, but then I took latin at school.

Some background information as to how and why SWAT team numbers and raids have soared over the last three decades:
http://www.economist.com/news/united-st…

Germany, tampons are really a cheap product over there. Unless you want to go for all cotton, unbleached etc. then they are more pricey.

Well, Gynefix is not sold in the US, so I'm not that surprised you've not heard of it before.

No, not a freak of nature. Or if you are, I'll join you. A pack (64) of tampons, store brand, costs me under EUR 3.00 (US-$ 4) and lasts for 4 periods at least.

Most of the male trainers in my box are tattooed, all are nice and supportive. The only guy in my regular morning classes who has the backwards cap and some form of tribal tattoos is really good at crossfit and is very much into helping and supporting the others who have trouble with their workouts. I'm certainly…

I'm reading 'Vanished Kingdoms: A History of Half-Forgotten Europe' by Norman Davies. It's not a fast read, but really interesting and illuminating. It shows points in history that are usually glossed over because history is written by the winning nations and not those who have been absorbed over time into others…

The anchoring bit is actually painless - no trouble there. There was a camera up in my uterus to help the doctor with proper anchoring and I could choose whether or not I wanted a look at the monitor as well (I did - it was very interesting to look into my own body). I do have a slightly heavier flow than before, but…

You get a two pills - one to soften your cervix and one to dull the pain. First, a small tube will be inserted into your uterus and through that the chain itself. It is painful, but bearable. With a few deep breaths I was okay. Advice was to get whatever pain medication/coping mechanisms you usually use when on your…

Nope, usual practice is to make sure that your uterus is free from pregnancy, tumors and whatnot and has a shape where placing an IUD is actually safe and useful. Same after - making sure that everything is in place is a safety measure. Plus, you go in after the first three months to ensure that it took hold (a…

I got mine in Germany (Berlin specifically), it goes by the name Gynefix. It's a bit of a niche product in Germany but rather popular in Switzerland and BeNeLux.

Stories like these, I don't understand them. Where I got my IUD (a frameless copper chain), the ob/gyn would do an ultrasound scan of the uterus before and after insertion. Before, to make sure you're not already pregnant and didn't know it and after to make sure it's in the right position. How do you not notice the…

See, we are a small branch office. And rather than talk to people, someone simply put this pic up in the loo. (Captions run from totally wrong to correct usage)

When I need a high protein breakfast in the car I usually make a frittata the evening before and cut it into bite sized pieces. That way i have something nutritious, home made and easy to eat with hands/a non messy food. I mostly see it as an opportunity to get rid of all the odd vegetable ends I have in the kitchen.

Cousin of Louis Theroux, British journalist best known for his documentaries.

To quote the patrician, Lord Havelock Vetinari:

As for the car question: don't you do ozone cleaning for used cars in the US? At least in Germany and Switzerland used car dealers will clean a former smoker's car with ozone (i.e. seal the car interior and pump it full of ozone for at least an hour) to get rid of any smell. If you buy a second hand car privately…

You'd be right at home at my old office: everyone slowly started to work between 9.30 and 10 am, drove me crazy. I got better once I started wroking out from 7 til 9 am and then joined the others. In case you didn't notice: I'm not exactly a night owl.