Evidence that embarrassing yourself on public transport could be a family trait

So many people asked, 'How's the Japanese Student?' when the earthquake hit that I thought I'd let you know that the Younger Daughter, currently studying Japanese, was in England at the time.  She's just gone back to Hiroshima Uni, ironically one of the safe places to be, it being in the south of Japan.

Anyway, she's written a funny post about her journey back to Japan and in it she even freely acknowledges that I am her mother.  This is an unbelievably rare and proud moment (whaddya mean, 'I bet!'), so I want to share it with you, if you'd like to look.

Evidence that embarrassing yourself on public transport could be a family trait

Well, I'm terribly sorry, but I can't really help you with that.  Inherited diabetes or allergies, yes, but ... inherited humiliation on public transport's not really my speciality.

Comments

  1. Steve18/3/11 11:08

    You must be sooo proud!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pam 18/3/11 13:48

    Well, I don't want to boast but my daughter and two friends once went on a long London (I think it was London) bus journey dressed as Oompa Loompas. Orange faces and green wigs and all.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pam 18/3/11 13:49

    Maybe I should add that they were going to a fancy dress party.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jayne18/3/11 14:55

    Aw so funny! I sense your pride. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lesley18/3/11 16:12

    Love it! Fran, do you do hand-shadow-puppets on your bus trips? If so, perhaps some photos are in order ...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Martin19/3/11 01:13

    Now we know there are two on the loose, using public transport!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reasons why Fran is desperately in search of earbuds

Image
My try-to-get-fitter walk in the fields today was a silent one. I usually listen to the radio through earphones but have lost one of the soft earbuds and nothing spoils a walk more than having hard plastic nudging up against your fragile tympanic membrane. The BBC's  'Woman's Hour' is a brilliant programme but loyalty has limits.  It was disconcerting, walking in silence. Listening to radio distracts from the disturbing reality that my legs are propelling me in forward motion because, if I think too hard about this, I frighten myself.  Today, while walking, I had to listen to my own thoughts.  And now I've listened to my own thoughts, I remember why I like radio better. The inside of my head is like a wastepaper basket.   Be grateful that I only offer you a brief excerpt.  Oh, look, that bird is - / Where did I put that mark scheme. I'll need it for - / My shoes are getting muddier./ Maybe mash with the fish tonight / really muddy / The trees are definitely more
Read more

Evidence that we don't always have the right words to say at the right time

Image
The Younger Daughter was reminding me about how, when she's just accidentally burned herself and is hopping up and down in the kitchen, my instant response is 'Careful, that's hot!'  Or when she's just tripped up a step, that's the time I choose to say, 'Watch yourself!' That's me.  Eager to be helpful.  Caring Parent of the Year. But it's instinctive, isn't it, to say something completely inadequate in the face of crisis?  It's a strange feature of the way we communicate sympathy.  What about the following situations ... When someone's fallen over and is lying flat on their face, we say: 'Oh, no, are you o kay ?' When someone's just set off down the road to the shops, then lets themselves back in five minutes later, cursing and stomping, we say: 'Did you forget something?' When we come across someone sobbing their hearts out .... ..... we say things like, 'Is something the matter?' To the
Read more

More evidence that the wrong consonant makes all the difference to a famous book title

Image
More typo-lit, one of my favourite genres: To Kilt a Mockingbird - a tale set in the Southern States of America in which a young family move into the area from Aberdeen.  The children are found dressing the local wildlife in tartan and have to be taught that clothing innocent victims in bright material is not acceptable.  The little girl (Scot) says, 'Shoot, Pa, that's the darndest thing I ever did hear!' and there is surprise all round at her adoption of the local dialect in such a short time. To Kiln a Mockingbird - a tale set in the Southern States of America in which a wise father teaches his children that to put an innocent bird into a red-hot oven, converting it into an attractive china piece for the kitchen, was bound to upset Aunt Alexandra when given as a birthday present, and if this was indeed their intention, they deserved a whipping.   They don't get the whipping; the father can't stand Aunt Alexandra either. To Bill a Mockingbird - a tale set
Read more