Tuesday, August 25, 2009

what was it my mom always told me



expressions
aphorisms
adages
sayings
advice
mottos

You hear them before you even understand their meaning. Some take years before they finally sink in and overcome our stubbornness.

I think the shorter ones are the best.

Be happy.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

Wear sunscreen. (see clip below)

And one of my favorites:

Don't say anything, if you can't say something nice.

Not only do I believe this is top notch advice, I used it once to make a point without being rude or malicious.

While on a business trip I was asked in front of a whole carload of co-workers my opinion a former co-worker of mine. The manager asking said he was considering contacting this former co-worker. I assume about a possible job.

I know one other passenger knew that I disliked this former co-worker. I had a bad experience with him and didn't like his back stabbing methods (my opinion anyway).

I thought a second and answered,
"My mother taught me not to say anything, if I couldn't say something nice."

That ended the conversation. I was satisfied. Also, that FORMER co-worker stayed that way.

Here's one more bit of advice for bloggers:
Need a writing idea? Go to Sprite's Keeper and pick up the latest spin cycle assignment.

Interested in the story behind "sunscreen" advice? go here.




17 comments:

Joanna Jenkins said...

My mpm gave me the same advice and I've followed it many time-- and kept my mouth shut :-)
xo

Bill Lisleman said...

@JJ - thanks - Why don't others know that silence sometimes has more meaning than badly timed words.

Sprite's Keeper said...

Classic example! And you get your way most of the time too!
Brilliant.
Sorry if you were having problems linking up. I'm not sure what the issue may have been, but we seem to be back up and running now!
You're linked!

yorksnbeans said...

Great reply!! I'll have to remember that!

Bill Lisleman said...

@sprites keeper - Maybe I have a case of gremlins on my network or bad net karma today. thanks

@yorksnbeans - thanks it worked for me at least once.

OneStonedCrow said...

I read this in a newspaper once, attributed to an anonymous author:

A truth that's spoke with bad intent beats all the lies you can invent.

Bill Lisleman said...

@onestonedcrow - that's one to remember thanks

Laufa said...

LOL, at least your manager took your advice and all is well. Great spin!

Bill Lisleman said...

@laufa - thanks for the visit. I just noticed your spin had forgiveness in it and this post doesn't follow that idea well.

I think forgiveness works best when it's two way which in this case the other party didn't see any wrong.

PippaD said...

I was going to use the Suncreen song, but I knew that I would talk too much and not do it justice. Good spin!

Bill Lisleman said...

@pippa - thanks for dropping a comment. There's lots of good messages in the sunscreen piece.

Claudya Martinez said...

That is the best answer you could have given about your co-worker.

Bill Lisleman said...

@unknown mami - yeah good thing I thought a second before answering. thanks for stopping by.

Lilly said...

I agree a good answer and well done. That way it can never come back to bite you either.

As for Baz well I had to laugh, do you know the only advice I gave my daughter was WEAR SUNSCREEN and she has and has beautiful skin. Being fair in such a hot climate is not a good thing. I dont believe in giving advice just warnings, he he.

My mother gave me hundreds of things too many to mention and my grandmother had a saying about it not being an ok thing for girls to whistle - I liked to whistle clearly when I was a teenager so not sure what it was she said exactly because I clearly never listened to her....

Bill Lisleman said...

@lilly - advice vs. warnings - I never thought of that comparison. I think most advice comes as a warning. Not whistling - what's with that? Everybody needs some whistling except in a graveyard - right?

Unknown Mami said...

That is the best answer you could have given about your co-worker.

cheap vegas vacations          said...

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