To Sheila Nevins: #3 is thoughtful, but doesn’t really say much overall about character. #1 & #2 would alert me that the person is a "flatterer," which tells a great deal more — it is only short of lying because it’s complimentary.  And #4 says nothing except that the person has some money.  All of these taken together would indicate a person that wants something from me and is willing to lie to me to get it.

Birthdays, how they treat strangers, how the treat people they do not like and how the react when things are going well for them.

I tend to put great emphasis on how a person spends their leisure time - self involved vs. helping others AND the quality of his sense of humor.  If the humor is grim sarcastic, and beastial - I shy away.

Also, I look for white lies.  If the person comfortably reveals their little white lies, I make a mental note:  untrustworthy!

Last but not least, contempt.  If the person is prone to express contempt or disgust for many people places or things - the person is far too toxic for me to tolerate on a regular basis.

Things I prefer in another person include:  warmth, radiance, trustworthiness, respect, graciousness, clever sense of humor, love of children, love of animals, financial maturity, spirituality, intellectual capacity,  love of serving others, …..(and since all these things describe my spouse, lets just throw in sexual prowess and call it a day)

Throughout this thread there are those perpetuating the myth that Oprah Winfrey has said "tip less during the recession"

Ladies of the Wow site, we are for the most part smart and savvy women who were led to this site because it promised to be a haven for 40+ women who thrive on news and information that is above the norm for the web. On it’s face, why would Oprah Winfrey (one of us -savvy 40+ woman) ever say to an audience either on her show or in her magazine, something that runs contrary to her proven track record of generosity?

And beyond that, one need only peruse her website in which you will see a statement posted by one of her producers point - blank denying she has ever said this. And to this end, no one on this thread can offer up a clip or direct quote in which she says "tip less"

So the fact that those on this thread are spreading false statements without doing their research first speaks more about your common sense (or lack there of) and possibly your bias to Ms. Winfrey by way of your attempt to further perpetuate what is ridiculous on its face.