I debated about sharing this story. Didn’t want to tarnish my image but I figured that happened a long time ago! But . . here goes . .
Vince’s parents are both Sicilian so that makes Vince Sicilian, right? The stories you’ve heard about their temperament . . true! Vince uses lots of colorful words. I don’t think I ever heard my parents say a bad word but I’ve pretty much gotten immune to hearing it. One thing I insist on – when Addie is here, I tell him – do NOT use words you wouldn’t want Addie saying at school.
For a few days, it seems like every night he was saying a really bad word – same word. On my scale of bad words, it’s a 10. So, one night I said “Vince, please stop using really bad words so often.” Then, one of THOSE discussions occurred.
Next day we were out and stopped to get copies made. He went to look at something else and I stayed at the counter talking to the girl who was making my copies. I pretty much had my back to the rest of the store and was just talking to her. She was telling me that she used to cross stitch a good bit but had to stop because of a hand injury. Then she started to get back into it and was shocked at the cost of charts and fabric. We were talking about how much everything costs these days. I told her what some brands are charging for one yard of linen – a figure I would not have willingly shared with my husband.
As soon as I said it, I glanced to my right and someone was standing right there . . just almost right up against me. Of course, it was Vince but it scared the heck out of me and . . I said a bad word . . in the store! It wasn’t a terrible bad word but it wasn’t a nice word. On my bad word scale, it was about a 3. Then I said “You scared me and I didn’t want you to know how much linen costs!” Several people standing around were cracking up and Vince was saying “Yes! That’s what you get for that discussion about MY language last night!”
I apologized to those around. They were still laughing and all agreed . . they’ve said worse. I must stop using bad words ever because once you’re used to saying them, they roll right out even when you would normally not even consider saying a bad word!
Marie L. says
Those moments happen to all of us.
JanetB says
My husband was in the Navy. I had always hear the phrase “cuss like a sailor” but I didn’t understand it totally until I met him.
Rebecca L says
-I had heard the same, but it hasn’t proved true. My father was in the Navy (not a lifer, though) and didn’t swear. Then there was the Navy retired chief I worked with, who, when something wasn’t good, would actually say “shucky darn”!
Anne Kirby says
I’m stealing that!!
Teri says
Funny! Only a 3? Could have been worse!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Generally I don’t say bad words, and even a “3”, I wouldn’t say in front of Addie.
Dot says
My mother, when she was really upset, would say, “Ohh …. cuss words!” With that little hesitation after the “Ohh” while she was apparently biting her tongue. She actually used the words “cuss words”, to be clear.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
That has to take some self-control! 🙂
Sandi says
That gave me a good laugh! I was waiting for you to say he freaked over the price of linen. Hugs,
Susan says
I don’t swear at all, never have. My parents didn’t. Paul did a little, but he didn’t around me, and the boys don’t around me, unless something slips out when the younger one is mad. LOL I find I can’t listen to movies with swearing, or read books with it. It just sounds so wrong to my ears.
Sherry Bobak says
I learned to swear many years ago when I worked as a bartender. A lot of our customers worked in the steel mill and could swear a blue streak. I don’t do it as much anymore but used to joke that I could put a string of swear words together that would make a sailor blush. That line really gets a laugh coming from little old lady me.
Denise in PA says
That’s so funny! I don.t generally use bad words either (particularly above a “3”), but if something happens when I’m driving a BAD word just flys out of my mouth unintended. Yikes! I live in fear it will happen when my mother is in the car – LOL
Joyce says
I don’t use bad words often unless I’m extremely frustrated by something. A lady I work with substitutes normal words for the bad ones. Right now I can’t think of an example, but they always make me snicker.
Elle says
My entire career was in the operating room. I had one surgeon who swore with “oh sugar”. That was it. This farm girl always laughed so hard.
I’m sure I use 10s.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I think I’d be concerned if I were on the operating table and the surgeon needed to say a bad word but I guess the patient would be out and not hear any of that. I cannot imagine being an OR nurse. I know it takes a special person, so, “thank you” but I honestly get nauseated when I see anything that resembles blood. I can’t even put a bandaid on my own scrapes and cuts. I’m a wimp!