The A-list Files: Blog

Michelle Yeoh

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:33:33 GMT

Move over, Angelina. Many critics think Michelle Yeoh is the greatest action heroine in the business. All the more impressive: Yeoh can still overpower women half her age. For the record, she's 46 as of today.

Her new movie, "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," won the box-office battle overseas (it lost to "The Dark Knight" here at home). Web searchers agree that she's a star. A top search phrase related to this actress: "Michelle Yeoh is hot."

But the most popular Yeoh search phrase by far? "Michelle Yeoh Miss Malaysia." Yep, this legendary toughie — who has sustained many injuries doing her own stunts — got her start on the smile-and-wave circuit. She won the crown in 1983.

But that's not the only surprise in her biography. Guess:

To perform her action scenes, Yeoh relies on her formal training in what athletic discipline, which she's studied since she was 4? (Answer.)

Yeoh might never have become a household name in the U.S. She retired years ago, but what event propelled her back into acting? (Answer.)

For her role in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," she had to learn her lines phonetically in what language, which she didn't know? (Answer.)

Related Searches

She Hawks Goods With Him
As she did with Jackie Chan, Yeoh appeared in ads with this sexy Asian actor in her early days.

She Stops a War With China
Defying the bimbo stereotype, Yeoh took on this role. Her co-star, currently in "Mamma Mia!," praised her work.

She Battles This Wushu Champ
These days, they're clashing in "The Mummy." But in 1993, they co-starred in "Twin Warriors."

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In Vitro Fertilization

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:22:03 GMT

This weekend there was unconfirmed tabloid gossip that Angelina Jolie opted to have in vitro fertilization to conceive her twins.

Why would the 33-year-old elect to have it if she didn't have to?

As the rumor went, Jolie and her partner, Brad Pitt, used IVF to fast-track her recent pregnancy rather than potentially wait several monthly cycles to achieve their dream of bigger family. (Word from the Brangelina camp: The scuttlebutt is nonsense.)

Still, the rumor had us wondering if other wannabe parents are using this spendy "conception by science" as a way to get pregnant quick.

What does search have to say on the subject? Here's a sampling of the most popular searches on IVF and the questions, we guess, that are on searchers' minds:

In vitro fertilization (What exactly is it?);

In vitro fertilization procedure (What will I go through?);

In vitro fertilization success rate (Will it work?);

In vitro fertilization costs (What will we spend?);

And way, way down on the list? That would be cheap in vitro fertilization.

Related Searches

Happy Birthday, Little Louise
The first successful test-tube baby born in here recently celebrated her 30th birthday.

The State of Adoption
This state name appears in many adoption searches. (Hint: Bush country.)

Child-Free by Choice
Kids aren't the answer for everyone, including the famous face to the left.

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Arm Fat

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:35:12 GMT

Flappy, flabby upper arms? For many, it's the worst thing about tank-top weather. Whether you're looking to build up your biceps or for alternatives to sweltering in a control-top arm girdle, Web search has answers.

The bad news? Experts say there is no way to target the fat in a specific area (sorry, that goes for bellies and thighs, too). More bad news: No matter how many push-ups you do, grandma arms may be your destiny. Blame genetics.

Here are some common arm concerns that turn up in Web search:

How do I get rid of arm fat?

What are the most effective exercises to tone arms for women?

What are the most effective ways for men to build arm muscles?

Which clothing styles will cover my problem areas?

One last way to trim your batwings: an arm lift (brachioplasty). This cosmetic surgery procedure removes excess skin from the upper arms.

Related Searches

Add Junk to Your Trunk
Want to fill out jeans like Kim Kardashian? This cosmetic procedure can give your behind a boost.

Channel Your Inner Chipmunk
Want to look like Johnny Depp? This surgery claims to sculpt your cheekbones to movie-star proportions.

Silence Your Thunder Thighs
Want legs like Charlize Theron's? This surgical procedure trims flabby thighs.

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Makeup for Men

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:10:46 GMT

How far will a man go in the pursuit of metrosexual style? The hair, the clothes, the shoes … and now, apparently, the cosmetics bag. Web search gives us the scoop on these latest pretty faces.

Think smoky eyes and bronzed cheekbones. Manly makeup has come to the red carpet, too, on the mugs of fashion-conscious celebs like Zac Efron and Pete Wentz.
As the trend grows, so does the product line. Our favorites include:

"Guyliner," which shows up on Johnny Depp and Carrot Top (and Wentz has his own brand);

"Manscara," for longer lashes; and

"Mancake" foundation, which allows for the sun-kissed complexion favored by Efron (just don't take it too far).

For a more understated style, search points us toward businesses like KenMen. The company offers masculine moisturizers and corrective cosmetics, for a look that's more about confidence and less about show.

Not quite ready for Jean Paul Gaultier's Monsieur line of makeup, boys? Search for tips on getting a manly pedicure and call it a day.

(Another surprising masculine trend our friends at BuzzFeed spotted: "mantyhose"!)

Related Searches

Manscaping for a Cause
Harrison Ford got his chest waxed in a commercial for this nonprofit group.

Are You a Metrosexual?
Take this quiz to find out. (And if you're not, get the guidebook.)

Are You a SNAG?
This acronym is about more than style. Earn the label for showing your softer side to the opposite sex.

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Emily Dickinson

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:07:31 GMT

The New Yorker recently examined a new book on Emily Dickinson that explores her friendship with clergyman Thomas Wentworth Higginson. The reclusive poet is a favorite of biographers and English teachers, but how well do we know her?

Popular searches related to Dickinson's work run from the reverent to the academic: We search for her poetry, seek out other fans at the Emily Dickinson International Society and get help with term papers on her works.

We also search for lines from her most famous poems, in particular these favorites:

"A narrow fellow in the grass";

"Hope is the thing with feathers";

"I'm nobody! Who are you?" and

"Because I could not stop for Death."

And what of the poet herself? We search for pictures of Dickinson and details about her home, now a museum, in Amherst, Mass., plus the location of her grave in that same town.

Some unexpected details we discovered: The poet kept a Newfoundland dog named Carlo and she preferred to dress in white.

Related Searches

'I Am Learning Peacefulness'
Before her suicide, she completed several books of poems and a novel, "The Bell Jar."

'I Am Rowing, I Am Rowing'
A onetime model, she turned to writing poetry on the advice of a therapist. She killed herself in 1974.

'You Might as Well Live'
A celebrated wit and critic for Vanity Fair, she poked fun at suicide with her poem called "Résumé."

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'Half-Blood Prince' Trailer

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:03:51 GMT

Have you seen it yet? The trailer for the next "Harry Potter" movie, "The Half-Blood Prince"? The film won't be released until Nov. 20, but the online buzz is already deafening. The trailer indicates the film's focus may be Tom Riddle, not Harry Potter.

Many "Potter" devotees haven't loved the films, especially you, No. 2. But this sixth installment, of the seven-book series, has some interesting casting: Ralph Fiennes, of course, is back as Voldemort, and his look-alike nephew will play Voldemort/Tom Riddle as a youngster.

Want to know what "Harry Potter" fans are thinking about the upcoming movie? Search is as good as any Pensieve. (Warning: Spoiler alert!)

Guess which statement related to the following characters is more popular in search:

Snape: "Snape is good" vs. "Snape is evil." (Answer, by 3-1.)
Dumbledore: "Dumbledore is dead" vs. "Dumbledore is not dead." (Answer.)

Book 6 vs. 7: Which is more popular in search, "Prince" or "The Deathly Hallows"? (Answer.)

And speaking of the last book: Whom should Hermione marry? "The Deathly Hallows" answers that question, but which character is linked to her more in search? (Answer.)

Related Searches

Other Trailers: Teen Vampires
The trailer is hot, but the book might be hotter. The new book in the series will be released at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday.

Postmodern Superheroes Fight in 1985
Fans have been analyzing this trailer since it came out. That the director also made "300" only adds to the buzz.

Presidential Dynasty
This actor stars as the title character in a controversial new film, whose trailer was reportedly leaked.

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Mysterious Disappearances

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:19:59 GMT

On July 30, 1975, Jimmy Hoffa disappeared from a restaurant parking lot in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Hoffa was declared legally dead in 1983, but searches for him and other missing people continue on the Web long after the active search is called off.

So where is Jimmy Hoffa? Some of the latest theories: He's buried under Giants Stadium or near the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. One place he probably isn't: Hidden Dreams Farm, where investigators searched for his body in 2006. (What else was happening on July 31, 1975? Check out this retro recap clip.)

In more recent missing-person news, searches for Steve Fossett surged this week after allegations that he may have faked his own death. Fossett was declared dead following an intensive search (including the scouring of satellite imagery by Web volunteers) of the Nevada desert where his plane went missing in 2007.

Also of enduring interest to searchers: the 1932 kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby. As a result of that case, kidnapping was made a federal crime and kidnapping for profit is almost nonexistent in the United States today.

Other missing-person-related searches: AMBER Alerts, the Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Center for Missing Adults.

Two other high-profile disappearances that searchers still look for updates on: Natalee Holloway and Madeleine McCann.

Related Searches

Missing: 10 People
In 1872, this ship was found unmanned and undamaged. The fate of the crew remains unknown.

Missing: An Entire Culture
Some archaeologists theorize that cannibalism contributed to the disappearance of this civilization.

Missing: One Man & $200,000
This skyjacker was last seen parachuting from a plane flying over the Pacific Northwest in 1971.

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Carla Bruni

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:45:13 GMT

Barbara Bush, she's not. When this supermodel suddenly became France's first lady, tongues wagged. With an upcoming Vanity Fair profile and a place on the best-dressed list — and, of course, those nude pictures — she's becoming hot here, too.

Besides searching for those pics — and her husband's reaction to them — what else do we want to know about this mysterious woman?

We search for gossip on her marriage, for sure, but we're also curious about her music. "Carla Bruni and listen" is very popular in search.

Want to hear her for yourself? Check out the videos for these search favorites:

"Quelqu'un m'a dit";

"Tout le monde"; and

"Chanson triste."

It's no wonder Bruni fascinates us. She once famously proclaimed herself "bored with monogamy." And now? She's having tea with the queen while wearing a pillbox hat.

Related Searches

The Ex Files: The Rich
Carla Bruni has hooked up with many famous men, including Marla Maples' onetime husband.

The Powerful
She was living with this publisher when she fell in love with his son, 10 years her junior, who was married at the time.

And the Rocker
His ex-wife says Bruni helped end their marriage. Coincidentally, Bruni is also friends with another of his former flames.

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'The Last Lecture'

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:06:54 GMT

It sounds like an ominous threat — for either the orator or the listener, or both. But in the case of Randy Pausch, his "last lecture" inspired millions.

Pausch died last Friday at the age of 47 from pancreatic cancer.

News of his death sent people to Web search to find out more about this charismatic professor from Carnegie Mellon University.

The backstory: On Sept. 18, 2007, about a month after getting a terminal diagnosis, Pausch delivered his final lecture on campus as part of a series where professors give what is hypothetically their "last lecture." In the case of Pausch, the hypothetical was reality.

But instead of talking in detail about his technical achievements in the computer programming field — of which there were many — Pausch encouraged his audience to remember their childhood dreams and live with a sense of wonder.

A saccharine message, to be sure, but Pausch delivered it with such wry wit that it moved even the most cynical. Millions watched the videotape of the lecture posted on the Web or saw Oprah's show about the talk; a best-selling book called "The Last Lecture" followed. And Pausch became a celebrity.

But he had said that the intended audience for his talk wasn't the people in the auditorium that day but his three young kids. He meant it as a "message in a bottle that would one day wash up on the beach for my children."

Some popular searches related to Pausch that spiked in the hours after the announcement of his death:

Randy Pausch's Web site (a refreshingly low-tech offering for a virtual-reality whiz);

Randy Pausch on YouTube;

Randy Pausch and Diane Sawyer interview; and

"The Last Lecture."

Related Searches

Fighting Pancreatic Cancer
Patrick Swayze has announced that he's fighting the disease. He recently said his survival is a "miracle."

In Remission: Steve Jobs
The Apple CEO's cancer is in remission, rare for a disease that's considered largely incurable.

R.I.P.: Luciano Pavarotti
The famous tenor succumbed to the disease last year.

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Mormon Missionary Calendar

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:17:57 GMT

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently ex-communicated Chad Hardy for producing a calendar of hot Mormon missionaries. This news sent us in search of the controversial calendar and other racy spreads.

Faith and fetching photos go together better at Heeb magazine, where guest editor Brett Ratner has assembled a new Jewish swimsuit calendar featuring Israeli models such as Bar Refaeli and Esti Ginzburg.

The Calendario Romano features handsome Catholic priests (in clerical clothing, not swimsuits). But it's not just beefcake: The calendar also includes information about Vatican City.

Then there's the Men of Mortuaries calendar, the brainchild of a mortician whose sister beat breast cancer. Proceeds from sales go to a foundation that helps others fighting the disease.

Calendars for charity have inspired a range of styles — some with clothes, some without. The Desperate Librarians bared all to raise cash for their cause.

But naked models don't guarantee success. Last year a group of moms took everything off to raise money for their children's school in Spain. They ended up in debt when their calendar didn't sell.

And if you thought political calendars were all about events and speeches, check out this racy one inspired by supporters of Ron Paul.

Related Searches

An Unlikely Convert
This serial killer briefly converted to Mormonism when he lived in Utah. He was executed in 1989.

An Overexposed Student?
Officials at Brigham Young University suspended her for living in a coed household on MTV's "The Real World."

We Like the Wives
This HBO series has drawn criticism for its portrayal of polygamy. Nevertheless, the show got four Golden Globe noms.

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Summer Beach Books

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:05:04 GMT

Whether you're taking a vacation on the sand or just lazing around at home, summer's the season for plot-filled page-turners. Search turns up the fiction that everybody's bringing with them on holiday this season.

A search for critics' favorite picks and popular choices on book lovers' blogs turns up the following reading list:

1) Chick lit: This category is a mainstay of warm-weather reading. This season, two hot titles in search: "Trophies" by actress-turned-author Heather Thomas: Hollywood backbiting gets a humorous spin in this story of a prize wife who loses everything, for a while.

And "This Charming Man," by Irish novelist Marian Keyes. It's a story of four women all bewitched by the same suave politician.

2) Thrillers: There's Lee Child's latest book about ex-military cop Jack Reacher, "Nothing to Lose."

And John Sandford's "Phantom Prey," a new adventure for police investigator Lucas Davenport, the protagonist in 17 previous "prey" novels.

3) Adventure: While you wait for the new "Angels & Demons" movie, how about reading one of Steve Berry's fast-paced novels? His most recent title involves a globe-spanning hunt for the tomb of Alexander the Great.

4) Spy novels: James Bond is back, in the first new 007 book since 1966 (Ian Fleming died in '64). Sebastian Faulks wrote "Devil May Care" to celebrate what would have been Fleming's 100th birthday.

Related Searches

Initial Success
When this successful author turned to writing science fiction, he added the initial "M" to his byline.

Before the 'Code'
Author Dan Brown completed three novels before his breakout hit, "The Da Vinci Code." This was his first.

No Case Too Cold
Patricia Cornwell amassed a fortune from writing crime novels … and used it to fund her search for this real-life killer.

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Tentacles

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:01:44 GMT

On Web cruise we stumbled upon this: An aquarium in Japan has a preserved body of a rare 96-armed octopus. Ninety-six arms!

So, we seek information on these grasping, groping appendages.

Sharks are still the most-searched-for sea creature, but searchers are clearly curious about the tentacle crew, too. Here's a Q&A we put together based on popular related searches on these invertebrates.

Q: How can I tell the difference between an octopus and a squid?

A: First, it helps if you know the difference between an arm and a tentacle. (We didn't.) Octopuses have eight arms, while squid have eight arms plus two tentacles, longer than their arms.

Q: Do octopuses have a favorite arm?

A: Scientists are attempting to identify if octopuses prefer one arm over another by giving them Rubik's Cubes. (More on octopus intelligence.)

Q: What's at the end of a giant squid's tentacle?

A: Teeth. And did you know they have the world's largest eyes? (More about giant squid.)

Q: What's up with all the jellyfish in New York?

A: Jellyfish stings are one of the factors medical examiners are considering in the death of a 32-year-old triathlete in the Hudson River. (More on the increase in New York's jellyfish population.)

Q: Are there any land creatures with tentacles?

A: Yes, check out the star-nosed mole and this limbless amphibian.

Q: Help! My food is alive!

A: Calamari holds still while you eat it, but this delicacy is served still wriggling.

Q: Can you keep an octopus as a pet?

A: Yes, but they have special needs.

Related Searches

The Princess & the Tentacles
This actress is reincarnated as an octopus at the end of her boyfriend's Bollywood-inspired video, "Carmensita."

Swallowed by a Kraken
Johnny Depp returns from the dead after being swallowed by a tentacle-wielding beast in this popular movie series.

An Octopus Named Squidward
Squidward Tentacles is a co-worker of the main character in this popular animated TV series.

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Christian Bale

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:56:43 GMT

It was a week of high highs and low lows for the "Batman" star: His film "The Dark Knight" shattered box-office records, then the actor was accused of assaulting two family members. Despite his privacy pleas, Bale is under the microscope.

Gossip and news sites dig for what exactly happened between Bale and his mother and sister that night. They dissect his temper, including his recent alleged blowup on the set of "Terminator 4."

Whichever rumors turn out to be true — if we ever know, that is — it's a confirmed fact that Bale is intense. Anyone who needs visual proof need only look at how he transformed his body for his role in "The Machinist."

During his career, he has played a young gay glam-rock fan, Jesus of Nazareth and a chain-saw-wielding serial killer. And he developed a devoted following of fans, aka Baleheads.

The actor also has links to unexpected people. Try your hand at our "6 Degrees of Christian Bale":

Bale got his start as a child actor in "Empire of the Sun," thanks to this Hollywood director who discovered him. (Who is he?)

His father's second marriage was to a famous feminist, whose name also surfaced in search this week. (Who is she?)

His wife, Sibi Blazic, once worked as a personal assistant for this actress, who co-starred as a romantic lead with Bale. (Who is she?)

Related Searches

The Next 'Dark Knight'?
One of the top searches related to Bale: the trailer for his next highly anticipated action film, "Salvation."

Where Was He Born?
This is the top search question about Bale. Fans also want to know what's up with that constantly changing accent.

Christian Bale as … Laurie?
A scene from this film brings plenty of search heat for Bale, probably because it's one of his few love scenes.

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Household Vampires

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:45:51 GMT

Would you like to save up to 20 percent on your energy bill?

That's the amount the Department of Energy estimates the average family pays for the power used by appliances — when they're off.

Some common power-suckers: televisions, monitors, game consoles, printers and DVD players. If it has a clock, a remote or a transformer, it may be costing you money if it's plugged in. Search for more on why this happens.

Some simple vampire-killing solutions:

Least convenient (but free!): Unplug your appliances and chargers at the wall.

More convenient: a single-switch power strip.

Most convenient: a smart power strip that turns off peripherals such as printers and monitors when the main appliance is shut down.

Other energy- and money-saving tricks:

Ditch the "wall warts" and try a solar charger for your cell phone.

Sleep your computer when you're not using it; desktops left running continuously can draw up to 300 watts an hour. Search for sleep how-tos for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X.

Want to get really serious about tracking down energy vampires? Consider purchasing a watt meter.

Related Searches

Save $150 a Year
… or more, if you're in a dry climate, by supplementing or replacing your air conditioner with one of these.

Save $100 a Year
… and 30 minutes per load when you take your clothes for a pre-dryer spin in one of these.

Save $50 a Year
… if yours is more than 10 years old, as it could be costing you double what a newer Energy Star version costs to run.

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Danica & Milka Fight

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:07:03 GMT

Professional car racing has a road-rage problem. This week's example: the video clip of Danica Patrick and Milka Duno fighting. Beautiful drivers, a towel-slap to the face and an exchange of insults? Not a shock that searchers went nuts for the video.

Turf wars on the track are nothing new. In the video, Patrick accuses Milka of getting in her way on the track. But at least it didn't come to blows.

By most assessments — and there were many — Patrick didn't win this argument. But she clearly wins in search: She's searched for more often than Duno, by a factor of 40.

And when it comes to Patrick, what exactly do we search for?
Information on her racing career is the most popular search. But a close second? Her Sports Illustrated photo shoot. (Yes, she's in a bikini.)

Now, can you answer these questions about Patrick?

Before getting to the big leagues, what did Patrick race at the Sugar River Raceway? (Answer.)

In April, she was the first woman to ever win an IndyCar race. Which one was it? (Answer.)

What debatable factor may give her an advantage over other drivers? (Answer.)

Related Searches

More Rage: Race-Car Retaliation
Earlier this year, drivers Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch were put on probation for fighting — using cars.

Crash, Then Shove
Video of this scuffle between Juan Montoya and Kevin Harvick ranks high in search.

Getting All Chuck Norris on Him
The threat of hefty fines didn't stop Michael Simko from attacking a competitor's car with a karate kick.

Correction, July 24: This article originally and incorrectly used NASCAR as a synonym for professional car racing. NASCAR is a sanctioning body in the sport and overseas several racing series. The error has been corrected.

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Lake Fears

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:57:39 GMT

This week, "no swimming" signs were posted at a Seattle lake after almost 50 sharpened metal spikes were found embedded in the shallows. Queries for dry drowning also saw a spike in searches after a well-publicized tragedy.

Indeed, freshwater lakes may be free of sharks (well, except maybe for these), but aquaphobes can still find plenty of reasons to be creeped out by a dip in the lake.

The Great Lakes are facing a plague of invading mussels and an Ebola-like virus killing off fish. Lakes sometimes contain toxins from blue-green algae and the boat-snaring, super-invasive milfoil. And did you know piranhas sometimes turn up in North American lakes? Now you do.

Test your knowledge of these common lake fears:

Although they're large and fierce-looking, these lake-dwelling critters pose little danger to humans. Just watch your fingers. (Answer.)

Storm-water runoff as well as direct human and animal waste can elevate counts of this in lakes. Don't drink the water. (Answer.)

Which is scarier, sharks or alligators? U.S. statistics indicate that sharks attack humans more, but more gator attacks result in fatalities. (Read more here.)

Related Searches

The Exploding Lake
One of only two known occurrences of a limnic eruption took place here in 1986, suffocating nearly 1,800 people.

The Ship-Swallowing Lake
The well-preserved wreckage of a 22-gun British warship sunk during the American Revolution was found here.

The Disappearing Lake
Once the world's fourth-largest lake, this has shrunk to less than half of its original size over the past 40 years.

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Sexy Seniors

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:16:58 GMT

There's growing old gracefully, and then there's hitting 60 … in sexpot style. We've got plenty of mature idols to look up to as we age, and Web search uncovers lots of tips to keep us in top form as we go gray.

There's no better role model than Helen Mirren, whose bikini pics made headlines last week. Who else has still got it? Eartha Kitt, for sure. And in his latest movie release, Harrison Ford proved he could still crack a whip.

We don't need a fountain of youth to follow in their footsteps, so much as advice on how to age well. True, we may never top Tina Turner or Harry Belafonte when it comes to sexy style, but we're still searching for:

The best senior exercises;

The most effective diets; and

Tips on keeping our teeth bright and our eyes sharp.

We want to be able to focus on our objects of affection, after all.

Single seniors out there have lots of options for love. Search uncovers senior dating sites, senior pen pals and plenty of tips for sexuality in later life. Age may bring wisdom … but don't discount the bikini.

Related Searches

On Top of the World
In May, 76-year-old Min Bahadur Sherchan became the oldest person to scale this peak.

He Still Has the Right Stuff
He was the first American to orbit the earth and the oldest astronaut to reach space when he flew in 1998.

No More Empty Nest
She set a record for mature motherhood when she gave birth at the age of 70 — to twins.

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Restaurant Health Hazards

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:14:35 GMT

Reader's Digest just revealed a list of 13 things your waiter won't tell you, insights that cover everything from timing your dinner (don't arrive at closing) to being nice to the waitstaff (so they don't spit on your food).

That has us wondering: What are the other potential perils of fine dining? Web search uncovers plenty of dirt on cheap sushi, bad waiters and common bartending scams to weaken your next drink. And how about the complimentary snacks you don't finish at your table … Will they be served to the diner who comes in after you?

Chef Anthony Bourdain gave us the inside scoop in his restaurant tell-alls, "Kitchen Confidential" and "The Nasty Bits." And servers like Phoebe Damrosch and the blogger behind WaiterRant.net have delivered personal stories about kitchen catastrophes and diners' bad behavior.

Advice for diners, to go:

Don't order fish on Monday.

Watch out for hollandaise sauce.

Beware credit card scams.

Treat the waitstaff well. (That's worth pointing out one more time.)

Leave a proper tip.

Having reservations? Find out how your favorite restaurant fared on its last health inspection.

Related Searches

What's Their Number?
This Greenwich Village restaurant claims to have served every president since FDR — not bad for a former speakeasy.

Fit for a King
The pressed duck at this centuries-old eatery is so notable that each one is numbered. King Edward VII ate No. 328.

Tiki Traditions
Victor J. Bergeron founded this famous restaurant chain and created its signature mai tai.

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