Method in the madness

BARKING like a dog when you put something down will help you remember exactly where it is later, according to human behaviour expert Jez Rose. I can see the logic. The old standby when you mislay your wallet or phone would be someone saying: “Where were you when you last had it?”

To which the reply is: “If I knew that, it wouldn’t be lost.”

But barking like a dog cements the memory, particularly when other people stare at you as if you’re barmy.

Jez, whose observations are based on psychological and behavioural science and are published by British label company ‘my nametags’.

If you don’t fancy barking, he also suggests other aidememoires such as pinching your arm when you drop your car keys on a shelf, or giving a possession a name, and here I quote: “I’ll let you sunbathe here by the window, Percy the Pen.”

This bizarre behaviour, he says, will help you consciously remember where you left it.

And all is not lost if you still lose something. The key is not to panic, relax with a cup of tea, meditate, listen to quiet music and wait for your memory to unwind.

If all else fails, I suppose you could start barking again and see if Percy answers. NEW Chief Executive Officer was appointed to shake-up a company and instil a more positive work ethic.

On his first tour of the premises he saw a young man leaning against a wall in a room full of workers.

“How much money do you earn a week?” he said.

A little surprised, the man said: “£400 a week. Why?”

The CEO said: “Wait here,” went back to his office and returned with £1,600 in cash.

“Here’s a month’s pay. Now GET OUT and don’t come back.”

The room was silent as the CEO looked round and said: ”Now. Does anyone want to tell me what that layabout did here?”

And a voice said: “Pizza delivery chap from Domino’s.”