Posts Tagged ‘rude’

One of my favorite books is Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove, and I’m equally crazy about the miniseries adaptation. I particularly love the scene when Captain Call takes exception to an Army scout whacking young Newt, who’s trying to prevent him from commandeering Dish’s horse. Captain Call sets the scout straight with some brutal whacking of his own, then quietly tells the stunned onlookers: “I hate rude behavior in a man. Won’t tolerate it.”

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Ah yes, motherly advice. Some mothers tell their daughters to guard their virtue. Some tell their daughters to marry good providers. Some tell their daughters to vigorously pursue their dreams and become good providers.

My mother told me not to be too surprised if the gentlest person on earth suddenly pops me in the mouth.

Now … before anyone misreads that, my mother has always taught me to stand up for myself and not let anyone be abusive toward me. On that occasion, however, she was referring to my talent for flippancy. I’ve learned since then to bridle my inherent ability to throw out well-timed, sarcastic replies. But my internal censor hasn’t always worked as well as it should have.

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