# Advise a young 'un - - Or Curiousity killed the teenager **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 9, 2002, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977 "2002-11-09T03:02:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Grelby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a5b964/32.png) [@Grelby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grelby)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2002, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/41 "2002-11-10T06:08:03Z")
Some things are worth dying for. The vast majority of things are not. Keep that in mind. Also, fighting is neither a matter of honor, revenge, or a last resort - it’s a failure. But if you ever absolutely must fight, fight dirty. Fight to win, but once you’ve won, it’s over. Don’t kick them while they’re down, don’t extort anything, just walk away. With all this in mind, take a self-defense course, like karate or tae kwon do, or something. It’s worth it. Eat healthy. Man, I’m 17 and I know this? Careful, I’m too wise for my own good. And now I’m done making up for my post last night. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2002, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/42 "2002-11-10T06:08:32Z")
- You know that person you like? Ask them out or you’ll regret it. Trust me. - Always treat people with respect. - All you need is love. John Lennon helped me with that one. ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2002, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/43 "2002-11-10T06:37:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by \*\*mayberrydan \*\*\* > You know that person you like? Ask them out or you’ll regret it. This bears repeating. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2002, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/44 "2002-11-10T06:48:58Z")
You know how everybody always says “Somebody should do something about that”? Be that somebody. Pick up a piece of someone else’s litter; pick up something in an aisle in a busy store; let someone in in traffic. Be polite. I have never in my life regretted having been polite to somebody. I _have_ regretted being rude. Never, ever, ever lose having time for relaxation. It is one of life’s purest pleasures. (Maybe tuck that one away in the back of your mind for when you have a job, a spouse, two kids and a dog.) Learn to ballroom dance. ---
**Author:** ![Hickory6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@Hickory6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hickory6)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2002, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/45 "2002-11-10T16:47:17Z")
Seek to maintain your integrity. Not your happiness. Happiness will follow as a natural result of your reputation for integrity. Love imperfect people. Constantly ask yourself “What is the best use of my time right now?” When in doubt as to a course of action, ask yourself “What would Jesus do?” Or “What would George Washington do.” Prepare yourself for responsibility, and take responsibility for your actions. Give credit where credit is due. ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2002, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/46 "2002-11-10T16:58:50Z")
You’ll be tempted to get a credit card with a low interest rate. You don’t want that, you want one with a high interest rate. The reason? The interest rate only matters if you plan to run a balance, which you should never do. The first month you have to pay a ridiculous amount of interest you’ll start to learn to pay your bills on time and not to use the card unwisely. ---
**Author:** ![Marine\_One](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marine_one/32/3461_2.png) [@Marine\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marine_One)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2002, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/47 "2002-11-10T17:19:21Z")
- Start a 401k when you get your first real job. - Get a natural gas water heater. If the power fails, you can at least take a hot shower. - Talk to your boss. Keep him informed. Let him know you’re alive and working. - Create a GOOD resume. - 3 credit cards, max. Emergency use only. - Fire extinguisher in the house. Just do it. - Yearly flu shot. - No prevent defense EVER!! Rush at least 4 linemen, always. 5 defensive backs is ok, but always 4 linemen on every down. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/48 "2002-11-10T17:28:25Z")
All of the above except the parts from people about using time wisely. They are wasting time on a message board. This is play time. Is it over yet? :::What was that post count again?:::::: 😃 Remember, saying “Sir.” and smilling, makes no one bullet proof. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/49 "2002-11-10T17:28:25Z")
All of the above except the parts from people about using time wisely. They are wasting time on a message board. This is play time. Is it over yet? :::What was that post count again?:::::: 😃 Remember, saying “Sir.” and smilling, makes no one bullet proof. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2002, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/50 "2002-11-10T17:37:20Z")
All of the above except the parts from people about using time wisely. They are wasting time on a message board. This is play time. Is it over yet? :::What was that post count again?:::::: 😃 Remember, saying “Sir.” and smilling, makes no one bullet proof. ---
**Author:** ![sniglet999](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@sniglet999](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sniglet999)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2002, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/51 "2002-11-10T17:41:29Z")
And when all else fails, reiterate reiterate reiterate! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2002, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/52 "2002-11-10T17:46:39Z")
The hamsters went nuts? Whaaaaaaaaaaa??? ¿¿¿ Three? ::: sigh :::::: ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2002, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/53 "2002-11-10T19:06:57Z")
There’s a lot of good advice here, although I haven’t read all of the posts. I wrote several paragraphs, and now I’ve just deleted them. Instead, I submit two pieces of advice. You may (or may not) find them difficult to read; but please do read them minutely and understand them, as the advice contained within them is very good advice indeed. > [@](#): > > There, my blessing with thee! > And these few precepts in thy memory > Look thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue, > Nor any unproportion’d thought his act. > Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar; > The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, > Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel; > But do not dull thy palm with entertainment > Of each new-hatch’d, unfledg’d comrade. Beware > Of entrance to a quarrel, but, being in, > Bear ’t that th’ opposed may beware of thee. > Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice; > Take each man’s censure, but reserve thy judgment. > Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, > But not express’d in fancy; rich, not gaudy; > For the apparel oft proclaims the man, > And they in France of the best rank and station > Are most select and generous, chief in that. > Neither a borrower, nor a lender be; > For loan oft loses both itself and friend, > And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. > This above all: to thine own self be true, > And it must follow, as the night the day, > Thou canst not then be false to any man. > Farewell; my blessing season this in thee! And: > [@](#): > > I Lang hae thought, my youthfu’ friend, > A something to have sent you, > Tho’ it should serve nae ither end > Than just a kind memento: > But how the subject-theme may gang, > Let time and chance determine; > Perhaps it may turn out a sang: > Perhaps turn out a sermon. > > Ye’ll try the world soon, my lad; > And, Andrew dear, believe me, > Ye’ll find mankind an unco squad, > And muckle they may grieve ye: > For care and trouble set your thought, > Ev’n when your end’s attained; > And a’ your views may come to nought, > Where ev’ry nerve is strained. > > I’ll no say, men are villains a’; > The real, harden’d wicked, > Wha hae nae check but human law, > Are to a few restricked; > But, Och! mankind are unco weak, > An’ little to be trusted; > If self the wavering balance shake, > It’s rarely right adjusted! > > Yet they wha fa’ in fortune’s strife, > Their fate we shouldna censure; > For still, th’ important end of life > They equally may answer; > A man may hae an honest heart, > Tho’ poortith hourly stare him; > A man may tak a neibor’s part, > Yet hae nae cash to spare him. > > Aye free, aff-han’, your story tell, > When wi’ a bosom crony; > But still keep something to yoursel’, > Ye scarcely tell to ony: > Conceal yoursel’ as weel’s ye can > Frae critical dissection; > But keek thro’ ev’ry other man, > Wi’ sharpen’d, sly inspection. > > The sacred lowe o’ weel-plac’d love, > Luxuriantly indulge it; > But never tempt th’ illicit rove, > Tho’ naething should divulge it: > I waive the quantum o’ the sin, > The hazard of concealing; > But, Och! it hardens a’ within, > And petrifies the feeling! > > To catch dame Fortune’s golden smile, > Assiduous wait upon her; > And gather gear by ev’ry wile > That’s justified by honour; > Not for to hide it in a hedge, > Nor for a train attendant; > But for the glorious privilege > Of being independent. > > The fear o’ hell’s a hangman’s whip, > To haud the wretch in order; > But where ye feel your honour grip, > Let that aye be your border; > Its slightest touches, instant pause- > Debar a’ side-pretences; > And resolutely keep its laws, > Uncaring consequences. > > The great Creator to revere, > Must sure become the creature; > But still the preaching cant forbear, > And ev’n the rigid feature: > Yet ne’er with wits profane to range, > Be complaisance extended; > An atheist-laugh’s a poor exchange > For Deity offended! > > When ranting round in pleasure’s ring, > Religion may be blinded; > Or if she gie a random sting, > It may be little minded; > But when on life we’re tempest driv’n- > A conscience but a canker- > A correspondence fix’d wi’ Heav’n, > Is sure a noble anchor! > > Adieu, dear, amiable youth! > Your heart can ne’er be wanting! > May prudence, fortitude, and truth, > Erect your brow undaunting! > In ploughman phrase, “God send you speed,” > Still daily to grow wiser; > And may ye better reck the rede, > Then ever did th’ adviser! By the way, developing an appreciation for literature can help to give you insight into many of the problems you will face in life. Do find time to read books from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2002, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/54 "2002-11-10T23:12:54Z")
\> Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This isn’t just a moral edict. It’s a truism - you will be treated the way you treat other people because if you treat people poorly, those who would treat you well will choose not to be have anything to do with you. Secondly. If you find that you are always being treated poorly in a relationship, it is probably because you subconsciously don’t think that you deserve to be treated well, and that you can’t get any better treatment in a relationship. Neither of those things are true, but until you believe them yourself, the world will not believe them of you. Practice saying: “You are not going to treat me that way, I deserve to be treated well.” And if the person you were interested in rejected/dumped you, realize that it is their loss to not know the wonderfulness that is you. ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/55 "2002-11-11T05:45:11Z")
When I asked my late father at age 60 if he had any advice for me, he said “Friends and family…that’s what it all comes down to.” Not a bad thought. Also, it pays to treat your SO to all the little courtesies. It will pay off big time in the long run. (This includes everthing from doing your share of the laundry to warming her side of the bed if you climb in first). Take a few chances, but not anything that has a chance of hurting other people. Most of us regret the things we didn’t do more than the things we did. Treat others with respect. Ask nicely. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/56 "2002-11-11T05:49:49Z")
When you spend your money, there are two ways to spend it: 1) On things that lose value, and 2) on things that gain value. We all need food and drink and nice clothes and vacations, but always keep in mind that when those things are used, their value is gone or diminished. Spending money on things that appreciate (houses, investments) will mean much more to you when you’re 40 than that cool stereo system you bought at 21 that was outdated at 25. When you are older, collateral is as important as cash. Own stuff. Own good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Chickenhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Chickenhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chickenhead)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/57 "2002-11-11T07:46:19Z")
Don’t do anything the morality of which you could not justify to someone you respect. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/58 "2002-11-11T14:06:35Z")
> [@](#): > > Don’t do anything the morality of which you could not justify to someone you respect. \*But where ye feel your honour grip, Let that aye be your border; \* > [@](#): > > When you spend your money, there are two ways to spend it: 1) On things that lose value, and 2) on things that gain value. My mom gave me a 1966 MGB when I was in high school. I didn’t get it running until after I graduated, but I drove it around for several years after I restored it. I eventually sold it. Yesterday I bought a 1966 MGB on eBay that needs restoration. I don’t have a garage or tools or time, and I’m supposed to be saving for a house. It would have been much easier (and cheaper) if I’d kept the car I had. Now, a car is not something that generally appreciates (as **Lamar Mundane** advises), but it’s a little better than a cool stereo. And a chrome-grille MGB, while not being an investment, _is_ a classic that will increase in value. The point is this: If you have a good thing, don’t get rid of it. You may have “something better” now and you can use the money from selling your “good thing” to buy something cool. But you may regret it later. ---
**Author:** ![craiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@craiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/craiger)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/59 "2002-11-11T14:58:10Z")
My advice is: Never ask for advice unless your prepared to act on that advice If you were already set on a course of action don’t insult people by asking their opinion ---
**Author:** ![zimmdogg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/d6d6ee/32.png) [@zimmdogg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimmdogg)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977/60 "2002-11-11T17:41:28Z")
Two things that I always tell my seniors: 1. Learn stuff even in low level situations. No, you may not need to pay attention in beginning job classes to do well, but they will expect you to remember that stuff later. Same applies in freshmen college classes. 2. You cannot - I repeat - CANNOT live on 3 hours of sleep a night. You can get up, walk around, maybe even pretend to do your job, but you are not living. Took me a good part of college to figure that out. Good luck. You are about to embark on a brand new adventure like no other - just keep us informed on how it is going. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-a-young-un-or-curiousity-killed-the-teenager/135977.md?page=4)