# Me Da \[always\] said ... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 29, 2011, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334 "2011-03-29T02:11:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/21 "2011-03-29T13:16:38Z")
The weirdest one was, two years after I started having sex, “You know how to use condoms, right?” I guess he really was more modern than Mom. The best one? All the little bits of advice he gave about taking care of my cr. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/22 "2011-03-29T13:17:27Z")
Oh, something else my dad says - “A poor ride is better than a proud walk!” Which is true. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/23 "2011-03-29T14:09:31Z")
Your word is a contract. Always be very, very careful with what you say and with the exact words you choose. I don’t always get it right, but I try. Related: always read any contracts you are offered, and any laws they reference. It’s served me well several times, both with my own contracts and with contracts of friends (I’ve often been the person with the best local-language skills of the team, so I’ve gotten pulled along to read rental contracts or bank account conditions). ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/24 "2011-03-29T14:10:31Z")
I was raised by my grandparents. I called my grandfather “Daddy.” Daddy told me I could do or be anything I wanted to if I wanted it enough to work for it. He was correct. Daddy taught me to use tools, because work shouldn’t be expected from someone else if you can’t or won’t do it yourself. Daddy told me to never lie to yourself. You’ll be less likely to _need_ to lie to anyone else. Daddy said to always be responsible for your own actions. If you make a mistake, admit it before someone finds it. You’ll feel better and the problem will be fixed quicker and easier. Daddy believed that the two most powerful phrases in the english language are: “I don’t know.” and “I’m sorry.” No one can know everything, so admit it when you don’t, then do your best to find an answer. Apologizing for your wrong doing has to come from your heart. If you’re wrong, say so; if you aren’t, prove it. Daddy was a wise man. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/25 "2011-03-29T14:53:04Z")
“It’s times like this when I wish I’d listened to what my father always used to say.” “What did he say?” “I don’t know, I wasn’t listening.” Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/26 "2011-03-29T15:06:27Z")
On Survivng West Point, and later the Vietnam war: “Never miss a chance to take a piss, take a nap, or keep your mouth shut.” Applies throughout life, IMO Also: “Don’t be afraid to take that job. By the time they figure out that you don’t know how to do it, you’ll have figured out how to get it done.” ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/27 "2011-03-29T15:27:52Z")
“Real men don’t wear earrings.” I have 3. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/28 "2011-03-29T15:59:38Z")
“You gotta watch out for niggers.” Yeah, not really as charming as some of these other ones, sorry. And unfortunately, not a joke. On the plus side, we haven’t spoken or seen each other in 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![llcoolbj77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/eb9ed0/32.png) [@llcoolbj77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/llcoolbj77)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/29 "2011-03-29T16:17:15Z")
Not really a saying, but I remember the exact moment I went from child to young adult. I was about 10 and had started playing travel soccer (competitive/tryouts/etc…). My coach was screaming at me from the sidelines because I had messed up something or other. He was a bit of a shouter anyway. He subbed me out. I came running off of the field, pig tails bouncing, with my eyes full of tears and my arms held out to my Daddy. He stopped me, knelt down, but did not hug me. He said, basically, “Stop crying. If you want to compete, you need to toughen up. Grow some thick skin.” He then sent me back to my coach. Later that night we talked about my coach, competition, constructive criticism, and how to let things roll off my shoulders. It was easily one of the best learning moments of my childhood. And as one of three seniors (out of a freshman class of 15) who played all four years of NCAA Div. I, I think it was a great lesson learned. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/30 "2011-03-29T16:48:43Z")
Wear shirts with pockets that button, so you’ll be less likely to lose your wallet. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/31 "2011-03-29T17:02:37Z")
Always contribute to your 401K. You can do anything you want to, you just need to be willing to try hard enough. From a sign on his office wall: “A failure to plan on your part does not constitue an emergency on my part.” - Be responsible for yourself and your actions. StG ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/32 "2011-03-29T17:38:54Z")
My dad taught me a bunch of useful stuff (mostly how to fix things), but the only phrase I can remember is, “If the damn thing isn’t broken, don’t fuck with it.” ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/33 "2011-03-29T17:40:32Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > My old man taught me one thing that has stood me in good stead: never lie, cheat or steal. If people know you to be honorable and a person of integrity, your life may be difficult at times but you will sleep soundly at night. > > Man, was he ever right. My dad told me basically the same thing. He said: “You will never regret taking the high road.” That was when I was getting dumped by a total bitch and I felt like being really petty right then. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/34 "2011-03-29T17:42:02Z")
We were talking about a crime, a murder or rape, IIRC. And Daddy told me that he’d rather pay for my lawyer (if I’d killed or injured someone) than for my funeral. And in turn, I told this to my daughter. ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/35 "2011-03-29T18:50:46Z")
Be punctual. Every boss I’ve ever had has said they admire my punctuality and reliability. Get your education. This was actually more actions than words. He got his GED in his fifties when I was in elementary school. Save your money. I came out of 5 months of unemployment not much poorer than when I went in. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/36 "2011-03-29T19:01:16Z")
Three things I remember telling my kids: ‘I had the right of way’ is not a good epitaph. ‘Be informed or be uniformed’ (talking to my oldest about whether he should go to college or go to work). ‘Every action has a consequence. It’s up to you to decide whether that consequence is pleasant or not.’ ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/37 "2011-03-29T19:57:12Z")
When you’ve got a job to do, do it properly and do it thoroughly. It may take more work now, but it’ll save you a lot of trouble and effort in the long run.\* \*He didn’t tell me this in words, but in the way he lived his life. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/38 "2011-03-29T20:32:18Z")
My father taught me how to take care of my car - and that it was my responsibility to do so. He taught me that trust is easily lost and very hard to regain. And the one that I always think of when people ask questions like this: Most people learn from their mistakes. Really smart people learn from other people’s mistakes. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/39 "2011-03-29T20:38:26Z")
Oh, yes, the 401K one. Always save, even if it’s just a little bit. I cannot comprehend people my age who do not save (I’m 35). I have been saving since I entered the workforce. It’s not a lot but it is constant, and best to start as early as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334/40 "2011-03-29T20:50:28Z")
“When a string gets in a knot, patience can untie it; Patience can do many things, have you ever tried it?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/me-da-always-said/576334.md?page=3)