June 5, 2014


act like ya been somewhere photo tablescape_zps93cb397e.jpg

I swear this is my mom's favorite saying. She has been saying it to us since we were teenagers. (Spoiler: She said it to me yesterday)

Now that I've graduated college and have been on my own for a couple of years, I see that it is probably the best lesson that she could teach us as young adults trying to navigate this crazy world. It especially comes in handy to me now that I am working at a non-profit arts organization.

The whole point of "acting like you've been somewhere" is to always be classy and to not make a fool of yourself by having poor manners. It is very easy when we are in places or situations that are foreign to us to put up our defenses or to question things. This can often come off as rude, unfriendly or sometimes make us look silly. Even if you haven't been anywhere else in the world, people should view you as a well mannered individual who feels comfortable in any situation.

For example:

If you have never tried pimento cheese before (it's a southern thing), and it is served at a work function, don't go on and on about how this is a disgusting sounding concoction--try it, you might like it! If you don't like it, politely decline the next time. You never know who your unintentional rudeness could offend. 

I can't even tell you how many times I've seen someone acting like a fool, and I just think in my head, "jeeze so-and-so... act like you've been somewhere."

Basically my Mom was teaching my siblings and me to always act with grace and dignity. By "acting like we've been somewhere" she taught us manners, respect and a healthy dose of humility too. It's one of the greatest lessons she passed on to us.

For the record, I actually really love pimento cheese. 
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  1. My mother didn't say it quite that way, but she also raised me and my brother to be polite and have good manners. As the saying goes, one can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

    1. That's also one that she said sometimes when she was teaching us to not be nasty. Sometimes I remind myself of that when I get frustrated.

      Thank you for visiting!

  2. I really struggled with self-confidence growing up and my mother always said 'fake it 'till you make it' and it works!

  3. That's actually not a phrase I've ever heard before, but I completely agree with the concept. I grew up overseas actually...and I've seen too many tourists completely embarrass themselves because they didn't have this kind of concept in their way of thinking...

    1. Yes that's true. I especially think about it when traveling, or when I moved. It helped me be more of a chameleon and make an easier transition.

  4. That reminds me of the saying in football, referring to the endzone, "Act like you've been there before." Good advice, in either case.

  5. #nailedit - this makes me think of that saying fake it till ya make it. My mom always tried to teach me how to act with manners and that means even if it's something I am not used too - like a new culture - to try and integrate and not insult someone else's traditions. Well said girl!


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