After some thinking, I’ve reconsidered my answer. I don’t think I was well behaved because of any specific thing my parents did (although they were firm on not tolerating any acting up in public) but because I was so shy as a child. Public screaming, running around, and tantrum throwing would get me nothing but the attention of strangers, of which I was deathly afraid at the time. I kept quiet mainly because I didn’t want people staring at me and, as a result, got used to keeping myself amused in ways that didn’t involve raising hell.
The fact that my parents had no qualms about punishing me in front of those same strangers probably also contributed a great deal.
Hell yes I was well behaved. I was one of seven kids and my mom didn’t tolerate any bullshit when she took us out in public. No hitting, screaming or counting to 10 crap either, she just gave us the look that meant either knock it off or pay when you get home. If you ever had to pay once, you never wanted to do it again. And yes she would bust our ass.
I was well-behaved at home and the perfect gentleman in public. I shook hands, used “Mr.” & “Mrs.” and “please” & “thank-you” and all that. My mother used the threat of a spanking (I received only maybe four or five) to keep me in line. I also spent a lot of time around my grandmother, and she was quick with a smack to the back of the head for any smart-talk or mischief.
On the few occasions when I got into trouble it wasn’t for particularly rambunctious behavior; it was generally for shooting off my mouth.
If my parents were in the room I was well behaved. If they were not in the room I was a menace. But I was always respectful to my elders no matter who they were.
And I do agree with the general op of the board kids today are not as well behaved.
I think we need to get back to spanking our childrens ass when they fuck up! especialy the boys, Seems like too many men these days are overly sensitive becuase of shit like this; I about lost the other day when I saw some dude crying his eyes out on Oprah…WTF?
[sub]it was my wife watching oprah, I was in the kitchen making some lunch[/sub]