Different generations had different starving peoples for mothers to use to guilt-out their kids. In my long-ago childhood mothers would refer to the starving Armenians. Later it was the Chinese. And much later, Biafrans, Ethiopians, and Sudanese. Who are we up to now? Syrians? Yemenis? I’ve lost track.
I never felt guilt over kids starving in India who’d not feel any better if I ate my food or not. I forced down what I could in those situations because it was clear that my mom wasn’t going to put up with resistance.
My philosophy is that, living here in the land of the over-weight, waste is defined as eating food you don’t want. Of course you shouldn’t take more than you want, but once you have it, pitch it or save it; don’t force it down (or force anyone else to eat it either).
My mom used to tell me there were children starving in Africa. My brother and I came up with this plan to sell our unwanted dinners to those children. It never entered our minds that if they were starving they probably couldn’t afford to buy our food.
I would like to explain how it came to pass that I got fat.
Ladies and gentlemen, I got fat as a public service when I was a child, My mother said to me, “Clean the plate, because children are starving in Europe.” And I might point out that that was years before the Marshall Plan was ever heard of. So I would clean the plate, four, five, six times a day, Because somehow I felt that that would keep the children from starving in Europe. But I was wrong. They kept starving and I got fat.
My parents grew up during WWII so not finishing your plate was not an option. Food was precious and that’s a lesson they taught all their kids. No need to mention the starving African children, it was this or seat in front of your plate until you ate it all. I held up once until 1 am.
jagedlo over 3 years ago
Being a little hypocritical, aren’t we?
momofalex7 over 3 years ago
Well, there are.
Auntie Socialist over 3 years ago
I thought they were drinking CokeⓇ
pschearer Premium Member over 3 years ago
Different generations had different starving peoples for mothers to use to guilt-out their kids. In my long-ago childhood mothers would refer to the starving Armenians. Later it was the Chinese. And much later, Biafrans, Ethiopians, and Sudanese. Who are we up to now? Syrians? Yemenis? I’ve lost track.
KenTheCoffinDweller over 3 years ago
The starving children have moved to Africa? How did they get there from India where I was told they lived?
MS72 over 3 years ago
Is it science or the Discovery channel?
keltii over 3 years ago
I once said “if the starving kids want this, send it to them”…. mom didn’t like it and and my arse felt it.
P51Strega over 3 years ago
I never felt guilt over kids starving in India who’d not feel any better if I ate my food or not. I forced down what I could in those situations because it was clear that my mom wasn’t going to put up with resistance.
My philosophy is that, living here in the land of the over-weight, waste is defined as eating food you don’t want. Of course you shouldn’t take more than you want, but once you have it, pitch it or save it; don’t force it down (or force anyone else to eat it either).
tcayer over 3 years ago
My reply was always “Well send this food to them!”
Holilubillkori Premium Member over 3 years ago
My Mom: “So you don’t like dinner…. OK don’t eat!”… End the story
skyriderwest over 3 years ago
My mom used to tell me there were children starving in Africa. My brother and I came up with this plan to sell our unwanted dinners to those children. It never entered our minds that if they were starving they probably couldn’t afford to buy our food.
oldsmkysyvr over 3 years ago
Everyone just put your air conditioers on high and open all your doors and windows. Got to help those poor bears out!
Ermine Notyours over 3 years ago
I would like to explain how it came to pass that I got fat.
Ladies and gentlemen, I got fat as a public service when I was a child, My mother said to me, “Clean the plate, because children are starving in Europe.” And I might point out that that was years before the Marshall Plan was ever heard of. So I would clean the plate, four, five, six times a day, Because somehow I felt that that would keep the children from starving in Europe. But I was wrong. They kept starving and I got fat.
—Allan Sherman
cabalonrye over 3 years ago
My parents grew up during WWII so not finishing your plate was not an option. Food was precious and that’s a lesson they taught all their kids. No need to mention the starving African children, it was this or seat in front of your plate until you ate it all. I held up once until 1 am.
Stephen Gilberg over 3 years ago
Regarding the strip at Arcamax: Who uses a mobile at age 6?
Ken8338 Premium Member over 3 years ago
That’s why I always finish my alcoholic beverage….there are sober people in Africa.
kab2rb over 3 years ago
Not what I would state.