Things your parents did or said to you that really stuck

In My Humble Opinion
101

My dad said that he’d rather pay for bail and a lawyer rather than my funeral, if it came down to it. That is, if I got involved in a serious fight, and felt that I HAD to kill to survive, then that’s the choice I should make. He didn’t want me getting into fights at all, which I did with some regularity, but if the fight was really serious, well, he’d rather see me alive. Mind you, my parents had had to pay for one child’s funeral already, when I was a little over 2. My parents also didn’t think that my little brother would live, as he was born 3 months premature back when the prognosis was very poor for two month preemies.

My dad also told me that no matter how smart I was, that someone else had already figured a way to game the system, and someone else had already figured a way to prevent such gaming. And he seems to be right.

He also said that one day, I’d look back and realize that what he said back in the old house on (deleted) street was true. And I remember him saying THAT, I just can’t remember what he said that I’d remember!

102

Yeah, I decided not to go there, or my post would have been a lot longer. :wink:

103

One of the very few good pieces of advice from Dad- wear shirts with a pocket which buttons shut, for your wallet. Back pockets are not dependable.

104

Wisdom from my grandmother-

Beauty’s only skin deep, but ugly’s to the bone.

105

You’re a lucky lady, Mrs. Johnson. When my parents got me my first car, I asked my dad to show me how to change a tire. I was expecting a little father-daughter bonding time or something. Instead I got:

“Why should I show you? You’re not strong enough to do it yourself anyway.”

That really stuck. I learned a lesson, although not the one I was initially expecting.

106

Just thought of another one, this time from my mother:

My wife and have recently had a baby boy, my parents’ grandson. We’re driving around with them, our son is in the childseat in the back, crying. My wife is trying to console him from the driver’s seat.

My mom said. “Even if he’s crying, keep your eyes on the road so you don’t get into an accident. Remember: Better he cries than you cry.”

107

My mom taught me how to change a tire - you use your feet (kicking the tire iron) to loosen the lug nuts and tighten them on properly.

108

Growing up fairly poor, my mother frequently used to respond to our requests with “Do you want that now, or when you can have it?”
Used to confuse and frustrate me no end, until I began to grow to appreciate delayed gratification.
I use it on the kids now, and it drives them just as nuts…

109

Off the top of my head,

“La novia del estudiante nunca es la esposa del profesional.”- The student’s girlfriend is never the wife of the professional.

It’s strange that it’s stuck with me as I don’t date nor plan to marry.

110

I wasn’t smart enough for college.

111

Do comments like “You all were out to lunch when God passed out the brains!” count?

112

Certainly! I have an audio tape where Dad is describing his three year old son (me) watching an empty fish tank. “That boy’s just not right.”