Here’s the thing…..

As a public service, Nana is going to help the young people of the world learn a lesson or two today.  She knows that all the up- and- comers just perked up in their chairs, as they prepared to hang on every word of wisdom that Nana may impart.  Nana appreciates your rapt attention and will not let you down.  This will not be a story of how Nana had to actually get up and change the channels on her black and white screen television when she was but a twinkle of a girl or even how there was no internet when she did her school studies.  No, Nana is a hip old-thing and she moves along with the modern times.  In moving along with those times, though, she sometimes feels a longing for the basic fundamental decorum that seemed much more prevalent in her early days.   Let us begin with Lesson One.

1.        If you are going on a job interview or audition, unless the job or role is for that of a beach bum, lifeguard, or the coveted part of Moon Doggie do not wear shorts, muscle shirts, tube-tops, or God forbid flip-flops.  Nana’s own father, the Reverend, always suggested that one should not look as though they need a job when applying for one.  Please do not give the impression that if you were to be hired for the position you might finally be able to buy actual clothing and shoes.  Respect yourself and the person to whom you are applying enough to dress for success and perhaps you will be hired for a job with possibilities other than supersizing!

2.       Texting is the next topic on Nana’s teaching crusade.  If you are on a nice getaway with your family, say a trip to New York to see a wonderful Broadway show or even an adventurous out-doorsie sort of foray through the Adirondacks, do not spend the whole time staring into your phone.  Beyond the possibilities of, say, falling in a crevasse or bumping into a mugger, you also miss spending quality time amongst those with whom you are traveling.  I know it is not always fun, at least on the surface, to hang out with one’s relatives.  Nana has a brother named Reginald that she would rather not holiday with, but Reginald or not, she likes to see the sights and experience the wonders without the impediment of a never- ending phone call.   If people back home do not hear from you in a couple of days, image the wealth of anecdotes and tales you will have stored up to pummel them with upon your return.

3.       Lastly for this lesson, Nana wishes to discuss the idea of entitlement:  In the olden days, the word would have referred to the lineage of the next Queen or King, or Lord or Lady.  In other words, referring to one’s birthright.  Thankfully, the constraints of classism have been loosed and in the modern world one can pull one’s self up by her own boot straps and change her social and economic place.  Now all of this might seem rather antiquated and you might be asking yourself why Nana is going on about all of this.  Nana has noticed that these groups of young folks, who stand at the precipice of adulthood, seem to think that the world owes them everything; that somehow the miracle of their existence is reason enough for them to demand, expect, and require situations to be to their favor.  Let Nana tell you something: one earns respect!  Nana will not cower in a corner as some 20ish upstart tries to act as though he know as much or more than she.  Heed this warning: respect your elders because we are living longer and have the supreme opportunity to make your lives miserable for years and years to come.  If you think Nana is a pain in the posterior now, just wait until she is one hundred and five.

 So kiddies, cheers, and here’s to your future.