My editor eyes never go off duty, even when I’m on vacation.

Case in point: We just had Spring Break in Oregon. On one of the days, my family and I met my longtime friend and her husband at a charming Swedish café in Portland. It’s a fantastic place that serves æbleskivers. If you are Scandinavian, you probably know the level of joy these delicious pancake balls bring.

An Inconsistency

Anyhow, on the menu was their “Spring Sallad.” If you look it up, which I did, sallad is actually the Swedish way to spell salad. But here is the kicker: Everywhere else on the menu, salad was spelled the American way.

This small inconsistency stood out like a blaring typo (at least to me—no one else in my party noticed). If you commit to a specific style—whether in writing, branding, or even on a menu—you need to be consistent. Consistency builds trust. It shows attention to detail and professionalism.

The Key

Consistency is key. It’s key in relationships, and it is key in writing. Spelling something the Swedish way? Make sure you stick with it throughout your whole document.

When my longtime friend greeted me at the Swedish café with a bag of dark chocolate, I was touched but not surprised. She is always giving and knows what I like. She’s been that way ever since I met her, which was 26 years ago. She is a consistent friend, and I love her dearly.

The moral of the story: Be like a Kimberly in your writing. Be consistent!