Potty Mouth

2008-01-26T14:17:00.000-05:00

Dear Teen,

Do you think that your cursing impresses anyone? Dude, it don't impress anyone. Everyone knows the four-letter words. Standing in line at the movies recently, I heard every four-letter word imaginable come from your ugly potty mouth. Noting that no adults were around that appeared to be your parents, I was the one who complained to the manager of the distruptive, filthy talk. Several older movie-goers left. They likely thought you would be a disturbance during the movie as well. I was paying good money to watch and enjoy a movie and the snacks that cost a fortune. I was not about to have my evening ruined and so I spoke up. So sorry that you were escorted out. Not!, as you are wont to say. Maybe next time you are in public you will watch your foul mouth.

I know teens will use bad language. I was a teen once upon a time ago. But I was careful to use those words only with peers. I respected my parents enough to not bring reproach on them and their parenting. It would have been a bad reflection on them. And they would have employed a consequence that was likely to make me shape up if they had heard four-letters words, or even received a report that a nasty had come from my mouth.

I don't like to hear potty talk anywhere, but when you are on the job, or in a public where you are a theatrical spectacle to the world, don't you realize that possible future employers may be there, too? You never know who the people are around you. One day, you may go to apply for a job and the employer may remember you for your potty mouth. Note: This is not a good thing to be remembered for.

Potty mouth is not impressive to anyone, except maybe your likewise immature peers.

Love,

Anonymous Parent

Dear Teen

2008-01-26T12:53:00.000-05:00

Dear Teen,

This blog is for you!! I write to your parents over at Dear Parent and, once kids are a certain age, they either have or have not internalized the values that their parents taught. If their parents did not teach proper behavior, you are still accountable for your actions. Unless you grew up in an isolated cave, you had teachers, coaches, the influence of older relatives, perhaps some kind of religious instruction. So you aren't off the hook!

Especially if you are employed. I had the idea for this blog as I was being checked out at the grocery store this morning...

Bag boy: I want to go home early.

Older cashier: What time did you come in?

Bag Boy: 11 o'clock.

Me, glancing at my watch, noted that it was 12:34. He'd been at work for an hour and 34 minutes!

Cashier: Mr. Boss says no one is going home early today.

Bag boy: I'm so tired of Mr. Boss! I hate coming to work.

He is tired of Mr. Boss, and he hates going to work! At about 17 years old, he is too young to be tired of anything. And if he hates coming to work and is tired of his boss, he should do us all a favor and stay home. Let someone who appreciates the opportunity to work have the job.

And another thing, Dear Teen: Don't you realize that we customers have ears? Do you not realize that we can hear what you say? What if Mr. Boss is our neighbor, or relative? What if we customers want our groceries bagged without listening to complaints? You're there to work, to provide service. To my "thank you" for bagging the groceries, you didn't say a word. Not even the ungracious "uh huh," or "no problem."

Dear Teen, just so you'll know, the proper response is a simple "You're welcome!" A smile would be nice.

And, in case you didn't get the memo, here it is again: You do not deserve a paycheck just for showing up. It's called a job for a reason.

Love,

Anonymous Parent