<ul><li>The French Open is an annual tennis tournament event. It is held at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France, and is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments in tennis.</li><li>The French Open was established in 1891. It was exclusively a men's tournament and only for residents of France. Six years later, the ladies' tournament was introduced.</li><li>The French Championships became international in 1925, but the participants were still restricted to amateurs.</li><li>In 1928, a tennis stadium was built and named Roland Garros, after France's war hero.</li></ul>

The French Open

<ul><li>Roland Garros is the only Grand Slam tournament played on clay courts.</li><li>In 1940 there was no competition in the French Open due to World War II.</li><li>In 1968, the French Open became the first Grand Slam tournament to open to non-amateur players.</li><li>The women's singles event winner receives the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, which is named after the greatest female player in French tennis history, Suzanne Lenglen.</li><li>The men's singles champion receives Coupe des Mousquetaires, named after the Four Musketeers of French tennis: Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet, and René Lacoste.</li></ul>

French Open Facts

<ul><li>H. Briggs was the first French Championship winner who defeated P. Baigneres.</li><li>1897. Adine Masson became the first ladies' tournament champion when she defeated P. Girod 6-3 6-1.</li><li>1925. Suzanne Lenglen was the first Grand Slam title winner in the women's singles and René Lacoste in the men's singles.</li><li>Max Decugis, a French player, won 8 titles before WWI.</li><li>1938. Don Budge is the only American to win 4 Grand Slams in one year.</li><li>1956. Althea Gibson is the first African-American to win a Grand Slam title.</li><li>Chris Evert holds the most French Open championship titles in the women's singles.</li></ul>

Early Notable French Open Winners

<ul><li>1970. Australia's Margaret Court became the first woman to win all four Grand Slam titles in one year.</li><li>1972. Andres Gimeno from Spain became the oldest French Open champion at 34 years old.</li><li>1988. Steffi Graf won all 4 Gland Slam titles and the gold medal in tennis at the Summer Olympics.</li><li>1989. At age 17, Michael Chang became the youngest male player in the Open Era to win the Roland Garros.</li><li>1990. At age 16, Yugoslavia's Monica Seles won her first Grand Slam tennis tournament. She also won the next two consecutive years.</li><li>2000. Mary Pierce was the last French national to win the Roland Garros.</li></ul>

French Open Winner (1970 - 2000)

Rafael Nadal has only lost three times in his 108 matches in over 16 years in the French Open. He holds 13 Roland Garros titles.

The King of Clay

The French Open is an annual tennis tournament event held at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France. Check out to learn more about the history and facts of this tournament.

sports

Sports

French Open History, Facts And Winners

The meaning of colors are often imbued with great symbolic power. Even in the modern English-speaking world, where superstitious beliefs have largely faded in the light of scientific knowledge, many colors have retained their ancient associations.Most people know that brides often wear white, that "seeing red" means being angry, and that one can feel "green with envy." But learning why these connotations exist requires a look back to the beliefs and practices of the ancients.

The Meaning Of Colours

In moments of rage, lust or embarrassment, bright red oxygenated blood rushes to the skin's surface as a response to your “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system. There are many theories as to why human and non-human species have evolved this physiological trait, however many center their conclusions around asserting dominance or appearing more attractive to a potential mate. A study published in the journal Nature found that several soccer teams achieved greater match results while wearing predominantly red shirts than while playing in other colours, such as white and blue.

Throughout history, white has been synonymous with purity and virtue, which lends itself to many religious ceremonies. For example, wearing white to a wedding dates back more than 2,000 years when Roman brides wore white tunics to signal a woman’s virginity. In many Asian cultures, particularly in China, white is not a traditional used for wedding gowns – red or gold may be more commonly seen wedding colours – but is worn instead of black at funeral services and is a symbol of mourning, according to Yerevan State University.

White

Of all mysteries, death may have been the biggest. Ancient people were completely "in the dark" about what would happen to them after death, and so it was (and is) represented by the colour black in many cultures. There was the added coincidence of death sharing similarities with sleep, which happens in the darkness of night and when closed eyelids block out all light. Throughout history, the colour black has also been attached to fearful and mysterious things, such as black magic, <a href="https://www.livescience.com/black-holes.html">black holes</a>, the black plague and so on.

Black

Purple symbolizes royalty, nobility and imperialism. In many European societies, the symbolism was even established by law: From ancient Rome to Elizabethan England, "sumptuary laws" forbade anyone except close members of the royal family to wear the colour, according to Harvard Law School.Purple's elite status stems from the rarity and cost of the dye originally used to produce it. Fabric traders obtained "Tyrian purple," as the dye was called, from a small mollusk that was found only in a region of the Mediterranean Sea near Tyre, a Phoenician trading city located in modern-day Lebanon.

Purple

The primary association of the colour blue for most of recorded history was with truth a meaning that leaves a remnant in our language in the phrase "true blue." This was because blue is the colour of a calm and clear sky, and it is a calm reflection that leads to truth.Today, though, blue mainly conveys sadness and despair. When you've "got the blues," you're down in the dumps. The connotation may relate to tears and rain, as the water was typically represented in people's minds as blue.

Blue

Aside from its association with wisdom, green in its degraded sense gives us 'the green-eyed monster jealousy,' which is the direct opposite of celestial wisdom, for jealousy is always due to the intrusion of the desires of the self, while celestial wisdom wishes to give rather than to receive.The colour green has also been firmly attributed to the environment – in particular when used to illustrate products or campaigns which support the health of the planet.

Green

It isn't surprising that yellow symbolizes happiness, warmth and sunshine in most cultures; these are characteristics of the yellow sun and its effects.In ancient cultures where a god or gods were associated with the sun, such as Egypt and China, yellow was the highest and noblest of colours and thus, the colour of religious figures and royals (who were thought to be descendants of the gods). Along with warmth and happiness, yellow also represents cowardliness and deceit.

Yellow

Similarly to red, orange has a range of symbolic meanings and connotations – for example – in many Western cultures orange is often used for fun, strength, courage and creativity, according to the Huffington Post. In recent history, though, orange has come to denote a warning and is used for high visibility clothing (such as spacesuits ) and safety equipment (such as traffic cones). This association is a practical one: Orange contrasts most strongly with the colour blue and therefore is highly visible against a clear sky.

Orange

The Historical meanings and symbolism with Colours

The meaning of colors can including anger, virtue, death and royalty.

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

How 8 Colors Got Their Symbolic Meanings

Historically, it has been difficult to empirically explain why we like certain colours.
It is still difficult to explain why people like some colors more than others. Here are some theories that may help us understand why we have favorites.

Why We Have Favourite Colours

Through a series of lab studies between 2010 and 2017, assistant professor Karen Schloss and her collaborator, Stephen Palmer PhD hypothesized the Ecological Valence Theory (EVT), which they describe as people that "like/dislike a given colour to the degree that they like/dislike all of the objects and entities that they associate with that colour." People often like blue hues because it reminds them of clear skies and clean water. People tend to shy away from brown hues because they remind us of faeces or rotting food.

Ecological Valence Theory

To explore EVT, Schloss and Palmer conducted a series of studies. Participants ranked colour preferences, what colours reminded them of particular objects, and if those objects represented positive or negative things. This resulted in Weighted Affected Valence Estimates (WAVE). They found that  80% of the change in average colour preferences from one group to another was based on how much other people like objects related to those colours. With this data, they could explore different topics of colour preferences like individual preferences, changes over time or even cultural preferences.

Color WAVE

A person may have positive or negative feelings about certain colours because of their experience with objects of those colours over time. Young girls tend to like pink and purple colours because they are often exposed to clothes, toys and television shows they enjoy that use those colours. They see vomit and other gross substances in the yellowish-greenish hues, making them apt to dislike those colours.

How  Someone Feels About Objects of that Colour

Colour preference may be part of our evolutionary design. Colour preferences guide us toward positive things for our general health and well-being and away from negative things. Choosing a colour we like for our loveseat helps us thrive while avoiding colours that cause us to fail. We have a learning mechanism to learn associations between colours and objects or concepts and then use them to inform our judgments about colours.

An Evolutionary Drive to Be Happy

We all have favorite colors. But have you ever considered why you like one color more than another?

scienceandnature

Science & Nature

Science Explains Why We Have Favorite Colors

Travel’s magical disappearing act begins before we leave home. Rule number one: pack light. Don’t do so because it’s virtuous or ecologically sound but because you’ll enjoy yourself more. Pack light and you feel light.Packing light has nothing to do with overhead bins and everything to do with psychology. Less stuff means fewer choices. Choice is good, up to a point, but too many choices confuse us, and rob us of happiness, as research shows. Travel is about corralling those choices, subduing them. A pared-down life is a better, happier life. S

 A pared-down life is a better, happier life

It is a truism that travel broadens your horizons. Like most truisms, it is only partly true. Yes, travel expands your world, but it does so by shrinking it. I was reminded of this delicious paradox…

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

travel

Travel

The Real Reason You’re Happier When You Travel

It's a simple change, granted, but an oddly satisfying one. The idea is to emphasize what you accomplished instead of emphasizing what's left to do. It also makes it easier to see what is left.

Highlighting your completed tasks instead of crossing them off

productivity

Productivity

Highlight completed tasks instead of crossing them off

<ul><li>If you time-traveled to the 1960s, or the 1980s, and tried to describe smartphones to the people you met, they wouldn’t believe you.</li><li>It is an all-in-one piece of tech that lets you do practically anything.</li><li>To people from previous generations, these would appear as Superpowers.</li><li>Yet in the current age, a section of people are despising smartphones and want to get rid of them.</li></ul>

An amazing piece of Technology

Our phones' utilitarian function has is compromised by the presence of numerous magnetic recreational functions.We don’t play with our keys or debit cards, tape measures, calculators or dictionaries, but we do play with our smartphones because they are now 90% toy.

Smartphones are now toys

For a Smartphone to be a tool, it has to useful and boring. It can be attractive for intentional, practical uses, but not for a reflexive diversion—a Swiss Army knife, not a carnival, in our pockets.

Make Smartphones tools again

If you time-traveled to the 1960s, or even the 1980s, and tried to describe smartphones to the people you met, they wouldn't believe you.

technologyandthefuture

Technology & The Future

problemsolving

Problem Solving

Smartphones Are Toys First, Tools Second

New York is the true mecca of the food world because it allows you to go on this amazing gastronomic world trip without leaving the city due to its diversity, and if you aren't picky, it wouldn't cost you as much either.The Museum of Food and Drink can be found here and it is recommended to take advantage of the hole-in-the-wall restaurants, food carts, farmers markets, and gourmet stores.

New York, USA

Whenever we hear Japan we immediately think about sushi but that isn't the case here. Tokyo is much more than what we think it to be. This city has the most Michelin star restaurants in the world and is great with casual dining.The ultimate Japanese cuisine, Kaiseki cuisine, is the epitome of Japanese food aesthetic and has been refined in both preparation methods and appearance.You should definitely try the Tsukiji Fish Market!

Tokyo, Japan

Barcelona is an extremely beautiful place where there's fresh seafood and the innovative Catalan cuisine.The must try is the Paella however there are many different kinds of Paella so you have tons of choices to choose from. They also have tapas, but you have got to try their jamon iberico, it's less expensive in Spain than any other place in Europe.The Boqueria is one of the world's best food markets so if you're in Barcelona you have to go at least once. Another market you can go to is the Mercat de Santa Caterina, it's less touristy there.

Barcelona, Spain

Another great melting pot for the best authentic cusines is San Francisco.Their most iconic food has been around for about a century now and it's called "Joe's Special" and although it's origin cannot be traced back but it is definitely a must try!Their seafood scene there is fantastic! You can check out The Ferry Plaza's Farmers Market and Acme Bread Company.

San Francisco, USA

Paris was once hallmarked as THE food capital of the world. They don't have any specific food that they're famour for but their pastries are always their biggest works of art.Nothing beats Parisian patiserrie.You can eat basically anything from escargot to jambon-buerre or duck confit to crepes. As great are their big name restaurants are, their hole-in-the-wall ones are the best. The Paris food experience is about giving into the temptation!

Paris, France

Australia's produce and seafood markets are second to none! There are so many things to try here -- like their snow egg, truffled egg pasta, and Japanese stones! These are cult dishes and can be found in one place.However, there are so many markets and other food places that can be located here that showcases a stunning array of exotic seafood, eateries, and even sushi bars.

Sydney, Australia

If you're looking for haute Asian fusion cuisine or just an eating out experience, Hong Kong is a feast for the senses.LanKwai Fong is home to the incredible Vietnamese soft-shelled crab. It's expensive but delectable. Should you want to have a dim sum experience that won't burn your wallet, Tim Ho Wan is the best palce to go to. The owner used to be a dim sum master at a three star Michelin resaturant.The foodie adventure doesn't end there because the food carts at Temple Street Night Market offer delectable dishes as well.

Hong Kong, China

The gastro capital of Scandinavia is Copenhagen. They have some of the world's best chefs with Michelin stars and the Northern Europe's biggest food festival, Copenhagen Cooking.If it's within your budget, go to Noma, it's often praised as the world's best restaurant. However, if you don't Copenhagen is the center of Nordic food resurgence and they have a thriving cafe culture. You can definitly eat your way through the city.Make sure to try the coffee at the Royal Cafe!

Copenhagen, Denmark

With more than 1500 restaurants and thirteen with Michelin stars, there is surely no shortage of culinary establishments in Lyon, France. This is where they originally elevated food into an art form.The culinary tradition Lyon is the Mâchon - a heavy meal served in the morning. The Mâchon is served with a pate, meaty main course with sauce, and cheese.If you enjoy rustic cuisine that you can wash down with the best French wines, Burgundy and Rhone is the place to be but Beaujolais and Macon are closer.

Lyon, France

London has an extraordinary culinary diversity due to the affordable multi-ethnic restaurants and the surge of celebrity chefs making the restaurant culture thrive.When in London, try having an afternoon tea or the Ploughman's lunch. Their English Breakfast is very popular and will make you full.They also have food markets like Borough and Neal's Yard that you can check out.

London, England

Discover the food capitals of the world, and why you should visit them.

food

Food

10 Food Capitals of the World Every Foodie Should Visit

Taking criticism can be a hard thing. At some point, you will find someone who wants to tell you how to do things better.
But feedback can also be a good thing as you can use the criticism to give you a competitive edge.

Criticism as a competitive edge

Criticism means someone wants to tell you what you're doing for them. It is an opportunity to learn more about the person and change them into satisfied customers or audience members.
Take some time before you respond. Someone who can take and act on criticism means they can work towards a better outcome.

Criticism is a form of communication

Listening and acting on honest feedback will give you insight into what's good and what can improve.
Make use of that information to improve your performance, service, or event.

Feedback makes your product better

Constructive criticism can steer you from bad practices towards better ones.
Try to distance yourself from what you're providing and look at it objectively. If you can take a step back, you might see how you can improve.

Feedback forces you towards good practices

If a customer tells only you how to give them a great service, that's information that only you've got.
That puts you at an advantage over others in your sector. Find ways to draw that information from your clients or audiences.

Criticism can give you an advantage

How you respond to criticism is vital. Try to avoid getting into an argument. Instead, lead the exchange into a discussion on how to solve the issue. You'll waste less time guessing how to fix things. "So, you'd like to change the design - what would you say is the main thing that ought to be different?"
Turn your words into action to demonstrate that you can listen to feedback.

How to respond to criticism

If someone doesn't like your work, don't take offence. Even if you feel the criticism is unfair, don't react negatively as you can irreparably damage your reputation.
A good professional can take criticism and not respond as if it's an attack. At the very least, they can leave with their reputation intact.

Don't take it personally

Creative Boom: criticism can be a good thing and arts organisations should use it to improve what they offer

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Career

communication

Communication

Six reasons why criticism is a good thing

Almost universally, our minds link sounds with certain shapes or visuals. The sound of B, M, L and O being associated with round shapes and the sound of K, T, P and I giving a picture of a spiky, thin shape.
People tend to perceive names as round or spiky and imagine these personalities on people they haven’t met or seen. Example: Names like Bob or Molly are perceived as round.
This unconscious association is known as the Bouba-Kiki Effect.

The Shape Of The Name

Names like Molly tend to sound agreeable and empathic, whereas names like Kate sound harsh and spiky, while also being perceived as someone who is an extrovert. Toddlers instinctively associate ‘round’ sounds with round shapes.
We see patterns and connections based on the sounds we hear and how they make us feel. Example: The smooth sound of an ‘m’ contrasts with the jarring sound of a ‘t’ and subtly alters our perception of the subject.

How Sounds Feel In Our Mouth

When we hear a name, our belief patterns, assumptions, biases and prejudices provide us with cues that can affect our judgement, and may or may not be factually correct.
This even leads to gender bias, as female names tend to have softer, timid sounds, indicating smallness.
Various studies prove that the unconscious judgments based on the name sound have no consistency when factually checked, and only exist in our minds.

Our Reaction To A Name

The way your name or a word rolls off the tongue can have some surprising effects on the judgements we make.

health

Health

What the sound of your name says about you

During an 1833 meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, a spirited discussion took place to determine what to call those who worked in the different branches of their profession.
William Whewell suggested the word scientist, an obviously superficial suggestion that could not be considered seriously for a moment. Six decades later, it is still used.

How the word "scientist" came into being

Many useful words and phrases start as a quip, wisecrack, or throwaway line. Andy Warhol once said that eventually "everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes," but it inspired a useful and lasting expression. Today, the key words "fifteen minutes" refer to a short period in the public eye.
A playful spirit can promote word creation. Hoosegow is more fun to say than jail, and flimflam feels better than swindle. OK began as an inside journalists joke, an abbreviation for the misspelling "oll korrect."

How many useful words and phrases start

During the Sixteenth Congress, representative Felix Walker of Buncombe County, North Carolina, often said that he was "only talking for Buncombe." His earnestness amused his colleagues, who began to use it themselves.
"Talking for Buncombe" morphed into "talking Bunkum" and was shortened to bunk, a synonym for "nonsense." In 1923, William Woodward published a farcical takedown of American business practices as Bunk. A protagonist of Woodward's novel determined to "take the bunk out of things." He became a professional de-bunker.

The origins of "bunk"

Lewis Carroll and Dr Seuss have contributed many new words to the adult lexicon, such as snark, nerd, and grinch because they had an awareness of the fun-hunger surrounding readers.
In Seuss's book The Tooth Book, Pam the Clam craves "Pizza! Popcorn! Spam!" Spam owes its popularity to Monty Python's Flying Circus that features it in a skit involving Vikings who sit in a cafe singing "Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, lovely Spam, lovely Spam," making it impossible for anyone else to talk. Spam became the go-to term for online junk mail.

Dr Seuss started the word spam

<ul>
<li>"Software" began as an unserious programmers' antonym of "hardware."</li>
<li>"Bluetooth" was a funny name for a wireless system. Bluetooth was a nickname of a tenth-century Scandinavian king with a tooth so decayed it looked blue.</li>
<li>"Blog" is a contraction of "web log."</li>
<li>Many other words that started as cyber slang are included in the Oxford English Dictionary - for example, "crowdsourcing."</li>
<li>Jeff Howe introduced "wired" as a name for online consultation among larger groups.</li>
</ul>

Coining digital vocabulary

'Bunk', 'Blog', 'Crowdsource,' many iconic words in the English language have surprisingly comic and humorous origins.

French Open History, Facts And Winners

How 8 Colors Got Their Symbolic Meanings

Science Explains Why We Have Favorite Colors

The Real Reason You’re Happier When You Travel

Highlight completed tasks instead of crossing them off

Brielle