by Rosa Lee

Created on: December 08, 2009   Last Updated: December 27, 2009

Through the years, I have received a lot of advice.  Some helped me through difficult times.  Sadly, the majority of advice I’ve received from well-meaning folk actually made situations worse.  Most of the stinky advice came from my mother, turning already difficult teenage years into a rocketing plummet to hell. 

I have decided to share the creme-de-la-creme of this crummy advice in case some loving individual decides to pass it on to you in a time of trouble.  It is my ardent hope that you will recognize it as BAD ADVICE and avoid following it at all costs.

 BAD ADVICE: “Never throw the first punch.  Don’t start a fight, but always finish it.”

REALITY:  Others tormented me mercilessly all through school when I didn’t throw the first punch and when struck first, I was usually in no condition to finish the fight.  The one time I threw the first punch, the little creep never bothered me again and, knowing that he deserved the blow, never reported me.  I should have learned right there to follow my own experience instead of mother’s ill-conceived advice.

 BAD ADVICE:  “Walk around with a smile so others will wonder what you’re up to.  The Mona Lisa still has people wondering today!”

REALITY:  This little gem was supposed to pique the curiosity of my fellow high school students, draw them into my charming mystery and prompt them to ask questions so I could befriend them.  Alas, I was not the Mona Lisa.  People did not wonder what I was up to.  Instead, my school mates thought I was smirking and mocking them silently.  Others speculated that I felt so superior to everyone else that I couldn’t help but smile at their stupidity in the hallways … Apparently, I was surrounded by teenagers who had self-confidence issues (go figure).

BAD ADVICE: “When kids tease you, laugh along to show that you’re a good sport.  Eventually they will get bored and stop.”

REALITY:  In fact, it showed that I lacked both self-respect and a backbone.  By laughing along, I encouraged the teasing to escalate until some of the kids followed me after school and grabbed me for a bit of fun.  What did work was cornering one whose parents I knew and telling him to knock it off before I had the principal haul his parents in ...  Also, grabbing the ring leader by the throat and lifting him off the

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