Skip to main content

Taboos

I am writing this from Las Vegas. As I was burning through a $100 bill today in about 20 minutes, I was thinking about how Vegas is known as "Sin City". You know, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas". The only thing I am sure that stays in Vegas is about 90% of all the money that people bring in here. I was thinking about how we (at least the people I know) don't discuss much of what is really important, complicated, and/or controversial in life. (yeah, I think about stuff like that when pushing the "Bet Max" button over, and over, and over) I have never had an intelligent unbiased discussion with anyone about really deep, important stuff. Now, I know some of you are thinking - "I have"; and maybe you really have, but I wonder. We don't discuss death. (It is only in my lifetime that we discuss pregnancy, so maybe it is coming) One of the few unifying parts of humanity is death. Yet we all avoid discussions of it in specific terms. (saying "I'm going to KILL him/her when they get home" does NOT count) We certainly don't discuss sex. Another unifying similarity we all have is that none of us would be here if there had not been a LOT of sex going back to when sexual partners were defined by "Eve meet Adam". We don't discuss religion. I always find it interesting that there are five major religions and many , many other "minor" ones and thousands of offshoots of the major ones that all KNOW they are the right one. Yet, most people are sure they are practicing and/or belong to the ONE that has it right. Yet, when you get right down to it, your religion has as much to do with where you were born and who your parents are than any Divine intervention. (although depending on your religion, that might be Divine intervention!) If you doubt that statement, how many practicing Buddhists do you know that did not immigrate here? What are the odds of the kid that was born in Saudi Arabia as I was writing this becoming a Methodist? We don't discuss money, or specifically how much you or I have of it. It is NOT considered correct to ask - "How much do you make?" Nor is it correct to wave one's paystub in another's face. We will go on endlessly about how we got a deal on something, but not how we paid for it. Then there are the bodily functions. The only people that discuss the waste elimination process are the very young and the very old. Kids will proudly tell anyone that will listen that they pooped in the potty. An eighty year old will go on and on about how their latest bathroom accomplishments were either fantastic or a disaster. (I can't even find the words to write this one it is so taboo) Erectile dysfunction used to be extremely taboo. Taking the little blue pill or having 36 hours to respond when the moment is right is now presented as a badge of honor. As for other bodily functions, commercials have also made hemorrhoids, menstruation, constipation, and embarrassing feminine itching topics of notice if not discussion. I would rather discuss death, sex, religion, or money personally.
Labels:

Comments

Stay at Home Gourmet said…
No one asked about my hysterectomy. I was asked how the "surgery" went. In the case of erectile dysfunction, I'm thankful people have inner censors.
January 12, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Anonymous said…
It is all about who your parents are and how comfortable they are with talking about those things. My husband has no problem asking someone how much something cost or how much money they earn, while I think of that as something you don't discuss. Working in a mental health center I can say there are many people out there who will discuss any and everything with you. Sometimes much more than you would ever want to know.
January 12, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Our Guv'ment

Section 8 - Powers of Congress The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises , to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; To borrow money on the credit of the United States; To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States; To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures; To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States; To establish Post Offices and Post Roads ; To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings a...
2 comments
Read more

Who's got gas?

Here is another thing that is bothering me - I am tired of people whining about gas prices. Gas was never free!! When people whine about "$40 to fill my tank" they forget that even at $2 a gallon it was $25 or so to fill it!! Here are some numbers: The average car in the U.S. is driven about 12,000 miles a year. If you get 20 MPG (hey if you are driving a Hummer, getting 10, I don't want to hear it!) That is 600 gallons of gas a year. Most people would be estatic if gas was at $2 a gallon again -SO, that is about $600 a year (for the extra $1 a gallon) or $11.54 a week. Now I know there are a LOT of folks that were struggling to pay the $2, but the average person I know was not. Here is another way to look at it. How many Starbuck's coffees or lattes have you had lately at $$37.33 a gallon? ($3.50 for a 12 oz one) How about a beer on an airplane at $53.33 a gallon? ($5 per) Then there is bottled water at $10.66 a gallon. ($1 a 12oz bottle -and it can be MUCH higher...
1 comment
Read more

A Three Hour Tour, or, Perchance to drown

Imagine you and your spouse, or significant other, are on a nice boat ride called life. You are on this inconceivably large boat in a sea of unimaginable size on a trip of indeterminate length. Once in a while, you go through some beautiful. almost indescribable days where birds sing, wonderful angelic music accompanies you in your daily activities , and everything you want is there before you. Then there are the dark and stormy days where all you can do is hold on to the rail and upchuck your lunch into the water. Most of the days, however, are just a boat ride. One day your spouse falls overboard, fully clothed, and for no apparent reason. You quickly toss them a line, and say"hold on, I'll get you out!" There is no reason to panic, people fall into the water all the time. Plus, they are a fairly strong swimmer, we will get them out. So, you start pulling on the rope. After pulling and pulling you notice they are not any closer to the boat. You decide you need help....
1 comment
Read more