Are Rude Suggestions About Marriage Still Common?

[Zantra]

Having returned to school in my late twenties, I got very little support from some family and friends. One common question was along the lines of: Why are you going to waste your time going back to school?

This goes back to a great secret that I discovered about life: Most people do not want to see or hear about you succeeding. Some will even do their best to drag you down.

Success is mostly a solitary experience. Illegitimi non carborundum TOO TRUE

Yes and no one wants to see you fail more than your extended family (or maybe that's just me). Misery loves company. Like I always say:

damnant quodnon intelligunt

I'm also fond of aut disce aut discede

Most of my family spent my childhood belittling me, and as I got older and became successful, I managed to whittle them down to silent resentment. My dad was one of 7. Out of 20+ grandchildren only I and one other have gone to college. You can fill in the blanks from there..

Fortunately my mom's side fared a bit better, and was my saving grace.

People who don't find fullfillment in their lives (a lot of people) often resent their offspring when they are more successful than them. It causes them to examine their own perceived failure and project it onto their kids.

I live 2500 miles away from my very large family. Life has never been better.

 

[daveg360]

Next person who tells me to "cheer up and smile" or "it might never happen"...

I do smile when I'm happy. I just don't grin inanely at all other times. Otherwise what's the point? it's like having a smoke alarm that goes off 24x7 instead of when there's a fire!

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

Next person who tells me to "cheer up and smile" or "it might never happen"...

I do smile when I'm happy. I just don't grin inanely at all other times. Otherwise what's the point? it's like having a smoke alarm that goes off 24x7 instead of when there's a fire!

Tell me about it. Most people that smile all of the time give me the impression that there is something wrong with them.

 

[DaveC426913]

Tell me about it. Most people that smile all of the time give me the impression that there is something wrong with them.

Especially when only the lower half of their face is smiling, while the upper half is trying to burn a hole through you...

 

[Moonbear]

Next person who tells me to "cheer up and smile" or "it might never happen"...

I do smile when I'm happy. I just don't grin inanely at all other times. Otherwise what's the point? it's like having a smoke alarm that goes off 24x7 instead of when there's a fire!

Yeah, that's really annoying. I've had complete strangers walk up to me in grocery stores and tell me to cheer up or smile. I'm not even walking around sad, usually just lost in my thoughts while wandering around collecting things on my list. Am I supposed to be bouncing around the grocery store all giddy and excited to be hunting for a bar of soap that seems to be someplace other than the obvious choice of detergent/soap aisle?

Sometimes I consider just responding with, "I would, but I just got news that my brother and niece were killed in a car crash a few hours ago, and I don't even have the money to fly out for the funeral."

 

[berkeman]

Aw, c'mon you guys and gals, don't let that get you down! Here, let me help you feel better...

"Smiles are contagious. Be a carrier!"

"Let a smile be your umbrella on a rainy day." - Lawrence Welk

"SMILE and be happy, the day is brand new. This is the day the Lord made for YOU!

"Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles." - George Elio

"A Smile is a powerful weapon. You can even break ice with it.

more http://www.smileycollector.com/smileyquotes_smile.htm

 

[SpaceTiger]

"Maybe you should ask your mom first,"

... when I tried to get some free samples from one of those tables at Sam's Club. The lady had apparently mistaken my fiancée for my mother.

Admittedly, she is about a month older than I am.

 

[Moonbear]

"Maybe you should ask your mom first,"

... when I tried to get some free samples from one of those tables at Sam's Club. The lady had apparently mistaken my fiancée for my mother.

Admittedly, she is about a month older than I am.

Great way to insult both of you simultaneously! When I met you, you sure didn't look underage!

 

[lisab]

"Maybe you should ask your mom first,"

... when I tried to get some free samples from one of those tables at Sam's Club. The lady had apparently mistaken my fiancée for my mother.

Admittedly, she is about a month older than I am.

Yikes! I hope she didn't hear it.

 

[SpaceTiger]

Yikes! I hope she didn't hear it.

I told her about it, but it was mostly an insult to me, since the lady didn't even think I was old enough to ask for free samples. Most people think she looks her age. Me, however... it's not the first time I've been mistaken for a prepubescent. Maybe I don't get enough sun.

I'm 29, by the way.