Think it’s strange when a salesperson keeps you talking about your personal life instead of plugging the product you’re considering purchasing? He or she may simply be fishing to find something you share in common, such as the same birthdate, hometown or hobby. And for good reason! A study out of the University of British Columbia shows that we’re far more likely to purchase a product when we have something in common with the salesperson who’s selling it. That’s because we all have a fundamental desire to connect with others, and having something in common creates this connection, making you feel closer and more trusting of the other person instantly, the resesarchers explain.

[photo: Tennessee-Mary]

Next time you need to make a purchase (such as a car, appliance or new home), watch out if the salesperson does this: He begins by flooding you with facts, technical jargon and even nonsense words. Then, he tells you he’ll simplify everything he just said. According to a report in the Journal of Consumer Research, this is a confusion-based sales technique called “disrupt-then-reframe”. Once confused, your brain becomes momentarily frozen, shutting down your critical thinking capability. This makes you more willing to agree with whatever the salesperson’s simpler reframed message is—even if it’s that you should buy something you don’t need or that you’ll be paying more.

[photo: alex-s]

We’re more likely to believe gossip—even when it contradicts what we’ve witnessed with our own eyes! To prove it, researchers from Germany and Austria recruited 126 college students to participate in a revealing experiment: The students were given money and instructed to award it to others based on how well they played a computer game or on positive or negative gossip they heard about the game players. The results: Volunteers tended to dole out money based solely on the gossip—even when it was the exact opposite of how well they saw the others play with their own two eyes!

[photo: Tufttronic10000]

Think you know everything about your furry pals? Maybe not! Here’s what animal researchers recently discovered about your cat and dog’s communication styles:
Your cat:
* Gets you moving with a special sound. When she lets out a high-pitched baby-like cry mixed with a purr, it’s her way of telling you that she’s hungry and wants to be fed right away, reveals a recent study out of the U.K.’s University of Sussex. What’s more, this unique meow is a sure sign of her love for you—she only uses it around humans she adores and clams up around strangers.
* Reveals her mood with her tail. Is her tail held high with little flicks at the end? She’s feeling happy and confident, says Jean Craighead George, author of How to Talk to Your Cat. Is her tail lashing back and forth? Then watch out: “something’s ticking her off.” Is her tail at half-mast—not straight up, but not straight down? She’s feeling relaxed.
Your dog…
* Understands gestures. According to a recent study in the journal Animal Cognition, dogs understand as much human body language as a two-year-old. So, when your pooch looks at you intently as you point at a toy, turn your head to see something behind you or gaze off into the distance at someone approaching, she gets what you’re doing.
* Laughs. A dog’s laugh is like a regular pant, only longer and louder, according to researchers at the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service in Washington. And, just like humans enjoy the sound of laughter, their study found that dogs feel happier when they hear other dogs laughing, too.

[photo: Elsie Esq.]

Love it when stores offer free samples, complimentary coffee or other giveaways? So do the store owners. That’s because freebies put you in a great mood, which makes you more susceptible to sales pitches and, therefore, more likely to buy merchandise you normally wouldn’t, reports the Journal of Consumer Psychology. The best plan: Enjoy the complimentary offers, but put off purchases till you’ve had time to think them over.

[photo: snowpea&bokchoi]

Ever notice that your hunger spikes after watching certain television commercials for chips, cookies, cheeseburgers, fries and other tempting treats? It’s no coincidence. A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research reveals that  pyschology-savvy advertisers are now adding more words and sounds to their images to describe the taste, texture, smell, sight and sound of food—for instance, the crunch of a potato chip, the sizzle of bacon and the smooth velvety texture of cheddar cheese sauce. Turns out, engaging more of your senses makes you remember how much you enjoy the advertised morsels, which instantly amps up your desire for it. Easy way to avoid this craving trigger: Simply hit the mute button during food commercials.

[photo: yumyumbubblegum]

You already know that outlet stores can save you a bundle on clothes and shoes. But, for the biggest money-savers, be sure to look for an “ugly” pricetag! “If it has two or three prices crossed out and it seems worn and tattered, you’ve found a great bargain,” assures Fatima Mehdikarimi, founder of shoppingqueen.com. These old tags indicate that they’re higher-quality items that have been reduced 40%, 50%, even 80% from their original price when they sold in retail stores.” But watch out for these: A “nice” pricetag! “If it looks new and has a ‘compare at’ price, you’re not getting much, if any, savings,” she says. “These are lower-quality items that are manufactured exclusively for outlets and were never sold in retail stores.”

Shop smart tricks:
* Before heading out on your shopping trip, log on to outlet center websites—such as premiumoutlets.com, tangeroutlet.com and primeoutlets.com—for coupons and announcements of special in-store deals.
* Try heading to an outlet store a day or two before a major holiday like Memorial Day or Labor Day; you’ll get the holiday savings in addition to first pick of merchandise before the crowds arrive. 
* Bring your AAA card—it can snag you extra savings at the cash register.

[photo: Carolyn Coles]

Bored by the choices at your favorite fast food restaurant? Mix things up by trying options that are available to the public, but aren’t advertised or listed on menus, like a…
* Neapolitan shake. In most eateries that sell shakes—such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King—you can order a mix of flavors, for instance, a Neapolitan (vanilla, chocolate and strawberry), a Black and White (chocolate and vanilla) or a Creamsicle (a vanilla shake with orange soda). Prefer Dunkin’ Donuts Coolatta frozen slush drink? They’ll blend any flavors you like! Popular twists include Tropicana orange/vanilla bean and lemonade/strawberry.
* Grilled cheese sandwich or BLT. It’s basically a cheeseburger or bacon burger without the meat, which is why burger chains are usually willing to whip one up for you upon request.
* Jazzed up baked potato. Restaurants will typically add any toppings they’ve got on hand in the kitchen, for instance, Wendy’s will top a baked potato with chili even though it’s not an official menu item.
* Personalized Mexican creation. Chipotle, Taco Bell and other Mexican food chains rely on just a few staple ingredients to make all their food items. So, if you have a yen for something different from their official offerings, say cheesy refried beans or chicken quesadillas, they can usually accommodate your special request. Tip: Like it spicy? At many Taco Bells, you can ask for a side of their secret green chile sauce!
* Smaller Starbucks cappuccino. Simply ask for the “short” size, which is an eight-ounce version of their regular drinks that’s not only tinier, but cheaper.
* Stealth Jamba Juice smoothie. The company is constantly coming up with new flavors that in-the-know customers can order, such as white Gummi bear, pink star, strawberry shortcake, peanut butter and jelly, Starbursts, Fruity Pebbles and Skittles. Find out more by asking your server for his or her favorite undercover creations.

Tip: Be sure to ask the manager what the price will be before your order is rung up so there are no surprises.

[photo: gemsling]

Ever buy a product based on good reviews you read online only to be disappointed in your purchase? You may have been reading raves written by fake reviewers—people paid to pose post glowing comments to boost sales. For truly trustworthy opinions, stick to sites that rely on opinions by professionals who test-drive the products: For:
* Electronics, computers and cell phones: Log on to reviews.cnet.com or pcworld.com.
* Appliances: Head to consumerreports.com
* Cars: Try caranddriver.com or edmunds.com.
* Books: Check reviewsofbooks.com.
* Movies: Visit rottentomatoes.com.

Suddenly feel the urge to be a super-generous restaurant or coffee bar tipper? It may not just be the good service that’s inspiring you to throw in an extra buck or two. Wait staff have a few study-proven tricks up their towel-draped sleeve for motivating you to part with more of your green, including…
* Drawing a smiley face on your check: Or talking about the beautiful weather, telling you a joke, introducing herself or himself by name or referring to you by name. Several studies show that little uplifting actions like these put you in a better mood—and people tip more when they’re happier.
* Using a gentle touch: Did you waiter quickly brush your hand or pat your back while giving you the check? A study published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin shows that’ll boost your tip, too. Why? Any slight touch is enough to trigger a rise in the hormone oxytocin, which makes you feel more relaxed and closer to whoever touched you.
* Nodding: Do you want dessert or another drink? Whether or not you do, you’ll still probably say “yes” if the server nods her or his head while asking the question. Research shows it’s because we tend to unconsciously agree with someone when they nod. And what server wouldn’t want you to order more menu items? After all, the higher your bill, the fatter their tip.

[photo credit: kio]