Things I learned during my teen years (1975-1982, more or less)

[Bossy Monkey]

1: Places with Amity in the name are bad news (Jaws, The Amityville Horror).
2: The cutest girl in the school will go out with you; just not twice.
3: Polyester suits and silk shirts (which I wore) look just as stupid in real life as in movies and on tv; so do powder blue tuxedoes (which I didn't).
4: Astonishingly large numbers of people think that the names Potsie and Squiggy are inherently funny.
5: There's a reason they have a movie ratings system. (Clockwork Orange was screened for us at Governor's School when I was 16; I've more or less recovered by now. Imagine the shitstorm that would break out from the religious right if this were done today!)
6: Winding up with your dream girl is most usually a nightmare.
7: Not only has nobody ever gone broke underestimating the taste of the American public, it is in fact impossible to do so.

And what did you learn in your teens?

[tcfrogs]

1. Acne will go away

Of course, that wasn't true, I still have it at 34!!!

[HEyHEY]

2. Mine

1. The next time you get chased around by three horny, hot 17 -year-old girls....for christ sakes at least grab ONE of them - or regret it forever.
2. Lot's of teachers know jack shit about reality
3. If you antagonize someone enough - they will eventually punch you
4. Life is to be enjoyed - so do so
5. How to install a CB
6. If you don't care about people liking you - many will

[Worst Username Ever]

3. If your scrawny in highschool,

you're still thin at 30. HA!

[flamingyouth]

10. LOL- don't I wish that were true!

:D

[TlalocW]

4. To remake your image and get the girl

Go to the trendiest clothes store in town and try on different outfits to the song "Freeze Frame" by the J. Geils Band.

TlalocW

[Worst Username Ever]

5. And now you've given me an earworm. n/t

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

6. What did I learn in my teens?

Um, I learned to be sure to count all the people you are with if everyone is doing drugs so you can be sure to, later, if you are capable, make sure everyone is still there. (I accidentally lost someone once and boy were her parents mad! We found her.)

I learned being a hussy isn't as fun as you think it will be.

I learned high school is the sixth rung (ring?) of hell.

I learned grades and intelligence aren't equivalent.

I learned it is smarter to get to know people from all different kinds of groups, beliefs, lifestyles, etc. It makes life more interesting. I still follow that to this day and have the most varied group of friends of almost anyone I know.

I learned sometimes guys dump you just for no reason. And that hurts more than knowing the reason.

I learned only about 2 teachers out of fifty are really good. But those two are really, really awesome.

I learned substitutes are incredibly insane.

I learned rules are sometimes just stupid and seem to exist just to make adults happy.

There's probably more, but I have a headache. Again.

[put out]

7. 1972-1979

Ahem.

If your pants are so tight that you need pliers to pull up the zipper, they are too tight.

If you work and earn money, you do not necessarily owe it to your friends to pay their way.

Bad boys are called bad boys for very sound reasons.

Blue eye shadow does not look good on anyone. Not you, not me, and it doesn't matter what color your eyes are.

Never go to practice driving in a 1974 Mach 1. With your father, when the Mach 1 belongs to him.

Don't compete with an older sister. She'll always top you. Or tattle.

Every other person is so busy being worried about their own image, they don't even see you. Try to relax a little.

Get some joy out of your experience. It is torture, and it is wonderful.

Acne does not go away, sorry to tell you.

[Misunderestimator]

12. "Don't compete with an older sister. She'll always top you. Or tattle."

How true.

[POed_Ex_Repub]

8. Don't eat yellow snow

A nice body does not always translate into a datable personality

Adults are nothing more than old children

Everyone is trying to sell you something

No matter what you do, someobody isn't going to like you

In ten years you'll be doing the same things you used to complain about of your parents

[flamingyouth]

9. 1981-1988

I would add that, yeah, your parents will probably freak out if you dye your hair pink, and don't forget to include those ridiculous little tails. :)

Also, if you stop going to class altogether, your mom might find out and starting crying herself to sleep at night.

I was actually really, really glad to turn 20.:D

[Misunderestimator]

11. What I learned:

1. That other kids will REALLY want to be your friends if they can sit next to you during tests.
2. That presidents can be crooks.
3. That being a bit geeky and taller than the boys doesn't work a bit, but that once you're out of HS it works great.
4. That there still hasn't been a fad as stupid as Pet Rocks
5. That mood rings should have been a fad, but that they somehow still exist and people buy them.
6. That other teens think opera sucks.
7. That you shouldn't get drunk for the first time in your life before you have a trumpet solo at halftime.
8. That you can get all the way through school by reading without listening to a word from your teachers.

[LanternWaste]

13. # 7 has me rolling on the floor right now

# 7 has me rolling on the floor right now :)

Many stories about drunk and/or stoned marchers during haltime shows :smoke:


I smoked my first ever joint five minutes before halftime and by the time we were out on the field, I forgot not only the music, but my steps for the show. Somehow, I made it through... just can't remember how for some reason...

(Don't smoke it anymore, but it has nothing to do with that...)

[Misunderestimator]

15. I was mortified.... but couldn't stop giggling...

Do you know how hard it is to buzz your lips when you're giggling? My solo was just a bunch of splats and pauses.

I was called into the principal's office the next day, and had my first experience of successful lying. When he said that some people had told him that I was a bit tipsy the night before, I indignantly said something like "What?!? Are you kidding? I've never had a drink in my life. I was just tired. Look at my grades... do you think I could keep that average if I was drinking?" I got away with it too... after three majorettes were suspended for the same thing (I would have felt guilty about that, but those girls were awful, and they're the ones that gave me the Southern Comfort... I still can't drink that stuff).

[Taverner]

14. What I learned in my teens about the 80's

1 You can flunk gym, with a little effort
2 Just say no sounds just as stupid now as it did back then
3 John Hughes movies were about as close to reality as Reagan was...
4 Aqua net can be a fashion statement
5 It can also be used to down a fly in midair