WWPT?

Horrors!

What will people think?!

I grew up in a household which overused this phrase.

It was an admonishment; a criticism, an attempt to produce guilt or shame. I learned that pretty fast and steadfastly turned mule-faced and silent. As a child, if I would have been allowed to, I'd of responded with “Who gives a rat's a$$ what people think?!”, but my mouth would have been washed out with soap!

I can look back wryly and laugh about some of these seemingly important perceived ideas, but there are so many instances to recreate. Some random examples:

My pre-kindergarten tiny white (or black) shiny patent leather church shoe has scuff marks on the inside heel...we are hurriedly (and me stubbornly of course) on our way to Sunday service...Dear God in Heaven! A mark!... roughly grab the ankle...rub rub rub “What will people think?!”

Same scenario... a wisp of hair is hanging in the wrong direction....spit spit spit, wipe, wipe...“What will people think?!”

That coat is buttoned wrong... “What will people think?”

Is that a spot of syrup on your toddler brother's chin? spit spit, wipe, wipe... “What will people think?!”

Don't you dare move, wiggle, or whisper (I want to go home!) in church or you will get your thigh pinched. Hard. “What would people think?”

A few years later we moved from Minnesota to Kansas unfortunately living right across the street from a small Catholic church. Skip a Sunday? Are you out of your mind? Everyone would KNOW! “What will people think?” I remember my surly attitude...grumble: Why doesn't DAD have to go?

There was an excuse that he needed rest due to working the night shift, but I was jealous that George of the Jungle was on TV at that time...also Rocky, Bullwinkle and the fascinating Natasha of cartoon fame. (Can't we just say we're sick? And watch George smack the tree? Heck no. Someone would find out and God forbid... “What will people think?”)

This phrase emanated through every public faction of our lives...

Going to the store?! In those play clothes? Go change! “What will people think?” (Uh...that we're kids? That we've been playing?)

Is that a leaf in your hair? And look at those tangles....“What will people think?” (Uh...that I'm a kid? And I've been PLAYING.)

The grass must be clipped perfectly around all tree trunks and yard adornments... or.....“What will people think?!”

Dishes must be done immediately after lunch...(and the floor scrubbed nightly). What if someone stopped by? What if someone dropped in? “What will people think?!” (Uh...that we EAT?)

Come down out of that tree right now! It's time for church...I guess we'll go without you...and you're in BIG TROUBLE.....“What will people think?!” [smile to self at this creative avoidance of my childhood pet-peeve: church]

We better not catch you talking to that kid downtown. She's nothing but a street-walker...“What will people think?” (Uh...she's in my class...I should at least be polite and say hi!?)

That swimming-suit top looks a little too low...“What will people think?” (That my new teen-age boobs might attract some boy-attention? Hot damn!)

What do you mean you broke your arm in a truck accident tonight? Look who you were with! “What will people think?” ( OK, I'll give you that one!)

The perfectly-decorated cake has a teeny crumble on this edge....“What will people think?!” {Turn that side to the back...geez....or... I don't know...people will drop dead in droves when they notice the imperfection which throws their brain out of the space/time continuum and the world implodes into a fiery-blue frozen hell-ball? That's what I THINK!}

What do YOU think?