# Simple lessons you have learned. And they have stayed with you all your life. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 21, 2016, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302 "2016-12-21T15:48:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/61 "2016-12-22T21:54:45Z")
Advice to future pilots that also applies to anyone operating any vehicle: Whatever else happens, fly the plane. And: Don’t let your plane take you anyone your brain didn’t get to first. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/62 "2016-12-22T22:02:49Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > Advice to future pilots that also applies to anyone operating any vehicle: Whatever else happens, fly the plane. > > And: Don’t let your plane take you anyone your brain didn’t get to first. I liked what my first flight instructor told me: He said, if you ever look out the window and see something you don’t like, or something that scares you… Stop looking out the window. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/63 "2016-12-22T22:16:53Z")
Live for today. That’s what attracted me to paganism. You do not have to live your whole life today. Just concentrate on getting through today. When that seems impossible, concentrate on getting through the next hour. And when that seems impossible, concentrate on getting through the next five minutes. ETA: And find three good things that happen every day. I don’t mean jumping up and down Happy Dance things, just good things. Right now at my elbow I have four books I took off of the library’s free book shelf. And I got my holiday bonus check from work in my purse. And the weather has warmed up so that most of the ice and snow is gone, making walking much easier. See! Three good things. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/64 "2016-12-22T22:57:38Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I can’t think of a cute way of phrasing it, but basically it’s “work a little harder now to make it easier later on”. A stitch in time saves nine, perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/65 "2016-12-23T00:44:44Z")
I’m pretty sure I read this on the Dope quite a while ago and it has stayed with me: (boss to worker): “I need this soon. So don’t rush.” mmm ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/66 "2016-12-23T01:11:07Z")
1. Don’t believe a boy when he tells you he loves you before you’ve slept with him. He’s either lying to you or to himself. 2. An apology costs nothing, and can make all sorts of prickly situations much easier. 3. Two things don’t make a list. You need a third. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/67 "2016-12-23T01:41:43Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > The cost of a borrowing to make a purchase is not just the interest you pay, it’s also the interest you didn’t earn on what you would have saved up. Which is pretty much nothing because the interest on savings accounts is somewhere between “nothing” and “inflation” at the moment. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/68 "2016-12-23T06:31:46Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > I’m not always great at following it, but it is magic advice, straight from my mother-- When you can make a person feel like they are special, they will love you for it. People may not remember what you said, and they may not remember what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/69 "2016-12-23T08:31:18Z")
Whenever dealing with anyone who has some sort of authority over you, be very nice to them. If you’re complaining about a product or a service that you’ve bought, acknowledge to the person you’re speaking to that it is NOT THEIR FAULT, and that you know they will do their best to seek resolution. Same with any sort of governmental agency…smile, be nice, and they will bend over backwards to help you resolve your issue. The minute you get narky, you’ve lost every bargaining tool you might have had. I’m middle-aged now and have NEVER had a bad experience when seeking restitution and/or advice. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/70 "2016-12-23T09:01:29Z")
Don’t run home crying to one’s mother after teasing a stick wielding crazy lady. ---
**Author:** ![Telperion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telperion/32/509_2.png) [@Telperion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperion)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/71 "2016-12-23T09:46:02Z")
Always save a backup. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/72 "2016-12-23T10:03:42Z")
There’s always something to do. Boredom is entirely avoidable. People are more creative and imaginative than they give themselves credit for - it’s just often the case that their interesting ideas don’t coincide with free time to pursue them. The solution (well, the one I use) is simple - write lists - if you have an idea, write it on a list - you don’t need to worry any more about remembering it or finding the time to do it - just wait until you’re bored, then consult your list and find an idea that fits the free time you have available, and do it. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/73 "2016-12-23T10:58:28Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > It’s amazing how many people can’t successfully estimate travel times. It seems so easy to me: I know it’s a 15 minute walk to the subway station, about 20 minutes to get downtown on the train, and probably 10 minutes to walk if the restaurant is new to me. Why is that so hard for so many people? Because they’re missing steps. In Ed’s case, back when he was 15 he missed the time spent saying goodbyes, between “OK, I have to go” and actually getting out the door; now he forgets to account for time spent getting the kids and wife moving. And since his wife is equally bad, the rest of the family has learned to account for their being late. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/74 "2016-12-23T12:35:07Z")
Don’t make messes other people have to clean up. Both literally and philosophically. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/75 "2016-12-23T12:35:42Z")
One we should all be familiar with: Don’t be a jerk. Especially when someone is being a jerk to you. I struggle with this one, but I’m trying. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/76 "2016-12-23T17:05:12Z")
He who laughs lasts. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/77 "2016-12-23T18:27:30Z")
Keep your head and your heart in the world in which you \*actually \*live; not the one you wish you did. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/78 "2016-12-23T19:59:11Z")
> [@fstbk1968](#): > > I’ve heard this one before and I must disagree. Is this the approach you’d like your doctor to take? “Sorry that your dead, I couldn’t decide what the problem was so I made a decision and unfortunately it was the wrong one” > > Make a good decision, if you can’t you don’t have enough information so gather more. > [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > No, this piece of advice is inviolable and should be applied in all situations indiscriminately without exception. It should in no way be taken as a very general guideline against the possibility of occasional indecisiveness. 😃 Hexagram 57: The Gentle (Penetrating, Wind) ``` Six at the beginning means: In advancing and in retreating, The perseverance of a warrior furthers. ``` In born gentleness is often carried to the point of indecisiveness. One does not feel strong enough to advance resolutely. A thousand doubts crop up; one is, however, not minded to withdraw but drifts indecisively to and fro. In such a situation, a military decisiveness is the proper thing, so that one resolutely does what order demands. Resolute discipline is far better than irresolute license. A little bit of 3500 year old advice. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/79 "2016-12-23T22:46:23Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > …interesting ideas don’t coincide with free time to pursue them. I have an “ideas” file on my phone. A lot of those are “Things to do when I retire”. > [@Chimera](#): > > Hexagram 57: …Resolute discipline is far better than > irresolute license. Now you tell me – I just stood in line all morning to renew my irresolute license. > [@Telperion](#): > > Always save a backup. I always ask my computer graphics students “Does that file exist only one place in teh universe?” (Oh, I warn them the first day of class “I’m your worst nightmare: a Dad. So I’m full of bad jokes and good advice.”) ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302/80 "2016-12-23T22:57:51Z")
From my dad: Never give a second chance to a man who strikes you. He will be sorry, but he will do it again. Walk away. From a management manual I was given when taking on my first managerial assignment: Always stand up for your direct reports. And don’t assess blame, unless the miscreant is obvious or admits his culpability. Focus on moving forward and learning from any mistakes made. And from my activist grandmother: Never tolerate a bullying situation. Speak up for the victim. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-lessons-you-have-learned-and-they-have-stayed-with-you-all-your-life/775302.md?page=5)