That’s what my unforgettable Hungarian Dad used to tell us (with a smile) at the dinner table. He claimed it was a popular saying from the old country that meant the cook (in this case, my mother) did not put enough salt in the food. I have never heard that again but I always taste and re-taste to avoid the label “not in love.”
Lately, I have been thinking of all the sage words of wisdom my parents offered us kids growing up. The parents are long gone now but many of their beliefs and admonitions live on. And surprisingly, I think much of my life is still parent-directed (or maybe mis-directed as the case may be).
Dad used to say,
“Never visit a person’s home without bringing a gift – bread, wine or candy.”
Yep. I do that. If you were thinking of inviting me over, you may be in for a treat.
“Never borrow. Never go into debt. Pay CASH.”
Do credit cards count if I pay them on time? Always do. No debt here Pop. Nope. No debt here.
“Do not get FAT. Your husband will divorce you.”
Uh oh. Well Dad, I am “pleasingly plump” and still married. However, due to that warning I am always a bit worried about a slimmer woman taking over.
.
“Do not sit by an open door or window during a thunder storm. And do not pat a dog. Dog’s attract LIGHTNING!”
No wonder I head for the closet! Used to blame it on the dog’s fear though.
“Allow for cross ventilation in a hurricane or the wind will take the roof off. Be sure to open two windows.”
We lived in Florida and had hurricanes. Dunno if Dad’s observation was true but a roof is important right? I don’t live in Florida or even in a hurricane prone area, but still keep two windows cracked just in case.
“Only FOOLS sing at the dinner table.”
Does humming count? I can’t carry a tune, so maybe he invented that one to ensure silence.
But Dad wasn’t the only one who came up with interesting cautions and observations.
Mom said,
“You are not really old until you are 60. It’s all downhill after that.”
Uh oh. Thanks A LOT Mom. It’s definitely a steep decline.
“Always carry a dime for an emergency telephone call.”
Huh? I suppose now it would be, “Don’t forget your cell phone!”
“Don’t be an OMELET!”
Can you guess what she meant by that?
“He’s a big Butter and Egg man.”
How about THAT?
“There is no excuse for bad manners.”
Agreed.
“Don’t be a doormat.”
(Stand up for yourself) Agreed.
After a cursory revisit to the words of wisdom of my parents, I have concluded it may not really be the sins of the fathers or mothers that shape our lives, but the sayings.
What did your parents say to influence your life today?
Note: The cartoon of the woman on a scale is from an unknown source. It came to me in an email and I cannot make out the bottom credit.
It is pretty amazing the impact parents have…You have some pretty amazing gifts.
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My father use to tell me, “Don’t do anything that will require bail money.”
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You are so right Charlie! And they were all gifts of love. 🙂
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Bahahaha! Andrew – your father must have been a character! 🙂 And of course, I hope you followed his advice. 🙂
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He was and I am happy to say I’ve never needed bail money.
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“Never visit a person’s home without bringing a gift – bread, wine or candy.” I like your parents already.
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Both my Mother and Grandmother told me to put all cutlery away in the draw while a thunderstorm was on. Also if you spill salt throw a little over your left shoulder before you use any, otherwise its bad luck,it had to be on your LEFT shoulder. I still do this today and I hate thunderstorms. So yes Dora our parents do seem to influence us. Of course they do.!
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A grand tribute to your Dad! 🙂
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🙂 And of course I am just like them! 🙂 Thank you Cindy!
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I love it that you do the salt thing Rita. Never heard of putting all the cutlery away in a thunderstorm but now I will be conscious of that too.
From the voices of the parents down through the generations……
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Hmm, I can’t think of anything right offhand. I must not have been listening.
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Oh, goodness….my mom had so many words of wisdom for me, many of the same ones you shared.
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“What will the neighbors think?” I hated that one! 😉
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Oh oh! I’d better lose some weight LOL :).
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An independent streak no doubt…. 🙂
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I can imagine Dianna and there was love in those words and they were good words to live by. 🙂
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Ha! That was a good one for sure.
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Ditto my friend! I’m workin’ on it.
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I can’t remember the saying my mother used, but if you happen to just ‘drop’ in, she’d never offered you just a cup a tea, it was always accompanied by some savory. She kept a supply of baked goods in the freezer just for that purpose! I confess, if you look in my freezer right now, you’ll see a batch of home made brownies. Oh.. .my hubby and I eat them and then I just bake some more. So do drop in – red wine or chocolate go really well with my brownies. 😉
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Great words of wisdom, Dor. So many of them ring true. Some of mine come from Pennsylvania Deutsche country: “The barn door he locks after the horse is all.”
My Mom also believed in bringing a gift when visiting someone’s home. I hadn’t heard that one about not sitting by a window during lightning. I often do this because I love to watch the storms pass thru. Guess I better find another way to enjoy the view. 😉
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Hahaha! Brownies! That’s very enticing. Leave the porch light on for me. 🙂
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The similar words of wisdom surely come from a European heritage. On my Mom’s side they were Dutch and German.
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Great words of wisdom. Why did we not realize how wise our parents truly were when we were young’uns? My dad too was a big proponent of paying cash only; he never ever got a credit card. And mom always told me to stay away from the windows, doors, water, and talking on the phone when there was lightning. My mom also told me never say never, because that’s exactly what I’d end up doing like “I’ll never do this or that.”
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Our parents were brilliant. We just didn’t see the shine until now. 🙂
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“Take the high road, even if no one else is in sight,” “Your smile is your best accessory,” “too much makeup is too much makeup,” “any man who drives in the yard and honks can just keep on driving” and “We’ll see” *(translated loosely to mean: 1) I’ll think about it, 2) Not a chance but I’m not saying that now or 3) Get with me later. And the best one, “If you don’t go .. you’ll never know.” {{when I moved to the USA}} ~MJ
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Oh, you had some good ones MJ! I like the “high road” best. And the one about the man who honks. Bill did that and it’s one of the reasons my Dad said he was a “bum.” 🙂
Thanks for sharing all those “oldies but goodies.” 🙂
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Love how we had so many of the same things passed along to each of us 🙂
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