Archive Friday Five on growing up.
Apr. 27th, 2019 12:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
girlyswot1. Do you remember when you were first addressed as sir or ma'am?
In America, I expect, so that would be in 2006 when I was 34. There were so many weird things about the way people spoke, though, that I can't say that one was especially memorable. I do remember being a bit freaked out by children addressing me as 'Miss Ros', which I still don't like because (a) it makes me feel about 104 and (b) it's too close to being called Miss or Miss Clarke.
Which, obviously, I was called when I was a teacher, and in that context felt fairly normal after the first half an hour or so. But one of the main reasons I left teaching was because I felt it was turning me into a bully and I didn't want to be that person. So I really don't like it when something brings back those feelings.
My formal address of choice is, of course, Doctor. Dr Clarke or Dr Ros are both acceptable.
2. Do you remember when you first realized the difference between being childish and childlike?
No.
3. Do you remember the first time you realized you were more adult than child?
I mean, there's still a big streak of child inside me. There's a ton of things I think grown ups should know and be able to do that I can't. And I was always fiercely independent as a child, exacerbated by boarding school from an early age. I was 17 when I went to university, so there wasn't even a big sense that anything changed when I turned 18, to be honest. I find it quite hard to identify any clear dividing line between childhood and adulthood.
4. Do you remember your first taste of major independence?
See above. One thing which sticks out a bit was renting my first flat to live in on my own, I suppose. Previously I'd been in shared houses with friends, or accommodation provided by a job. Going to the letting agents, signing the contract, sorting out utilities and so on, moving to a part of the country I didn't know at all, all on my own, that felt a bit scary.
5. Do you remember what you bought with your first paycheck?
First summer job was waitressing in a local pub. I think I actually saved most of it, but I don't know what I then spent it on.
In America, I expect, so that would be in 2006 when I was 34. There were so many weird things about the way people spoke, though, that I can't say that one was especially memorable. I do remember being a bit freaked out by children addressing me as 'Miss Ros', which I still don't like because (a) it makes me feel about 104 and (b) it's too close to being called Miss or Miss Clarke.
Which, obviously, I was called when I was a teacher, and in that context felt fairly normal after the first half an hour or so. But one of the main reasons I left teaching was because I felt it was turning me into a bully and I didn't want to be that person. So I really don't like it when something brings back those feelings.
My formal address of choice is, of course, Doctor. Dr Clarke or Dr Ros are both acceptable.
2. Do you remember when you first realized the difference between being childish and childlike?
No.
3. Do you remember the first time you realized you were more adult than child?
I mean, there's still a big streak of child inside me. There's a ton of things I think grown ups should know and be able to do that I can't. And I was always fiercely independent as a child, exacerbated by boarding school from an early age. I was 17 when I went to university, so there wasn't even a big sense that anything changed when I turned 18, to be honest. I find it quite hard to identify any clear dividing line between childhood and adulthood.
4. Do you remember your first taste of major independence?
See above. One thing which sticks out a bit was renting my first flat to live in on my own, I suppose. Previously I'd been in shared houses with friends, or accommodation provided by a job. Going to the letting agents, signing the contract, sorting out utilities and so on, moving to a part of the country I didn't know at all, all on my own, that felt a bit scary.
5. Do you remember what you bought with your first paycheck?
First summer job was waitressing in a local pub. I think I actually saved most of it, but I don't know what I then spent it on.
(no subject)
Date: 2019-04-28 07:18 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2019-04-28 09:21 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2019-04-29 04:33 am (UTC)It’s interesting. My sister, another April birthday, also felt (or admits to) no ill effects. I, at the bottom of my year but only just, suffered a great deal and regard it as one of my parents’ worst decisions.
(no subject)
Date: 2019-04-29 07:54 am (UTC)