In Ancient Not Politically Correct Days

When I was growing up parents manually disciplined their children.   School classes were ‘streamed’ with bright, second bright, average, and dunce.  No one cared if what you said hurt someone’s feelings.  There were no ‘alternative terms’.    “Fat Pig”, “Stupid Idiot”, “Lying Scum”, were just a few average terms used by parents and teachers alike.

When parents gave kids advice, they weren’t looking around for the hidden camera.  They said what they felt, and who didn’t like it, well, shrug a shoulder.

I recall a situation in which a girl I’d befriended told lies on me and tried to turn my friends against me.

My mother took a bottle of Iodine;

“You see this skull and crossbones?  It was put here to warn you that this is poison.   You understand?  The Lord made people ugly for the same reason.”

We were at a store and the sales clerk was a bit snippy;

“It is just as easy to be nice as it is to be nasty.  So be nice, you can always be nasty.”

“If you don’t say anything people might think you are stupid, which is better than you opening your mouth and saying the wrong thing so they know you’re stupid.”

“Any time you don’t want to do something, tell them your mother won’t let you.”

“If you go camping, go with a fat person.  They can’t run as fast as you, and an animal would eat them first.”

“It is just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as it is to fall in love with a poor man.   Never learn to wash, cook, clean or iron so your husband has to hire a maid.”

“Don’t tell anyone your secrets and don’t listen to secrets. People tell you secrets so that they can blame you when everyone finds out.”

“If a boy gets too close to you, start to pick your nose.”

These are just a few bits of ancient wisdom.