Reply #7: I guess my biggest ever personal WTF moment was when I was a kid. [View All]

[Aristus]

We were out to dinner with my grandparents (my Dad's folks). My grandmother was a life-long chain-smoker, but luckily, both my mom and dad are non-smokers. Well, Grandma is at her seat in the restaurant, puffing away like a locomotive, and naturally, we kids are coughing and gagging, eyes watering, and unable to eat, and not enjoying the food anyway. I asked Grandma politely not to smoke, and she gave me holy hell for it, telling me I was rude and should respect my elders. Her own grandson! My dad refused to get into a pissing contest with her over the matter, but the next morning, he packed us up summarily and left. Visits to my grandparents were few and far between after that. I always respected my dad for not being a "dutiful son", i.e. "I can't, honey, she's my Ma!" and just doing the right thing.