Category Archives: Proverbs

It’s Not May, It’s Summer

Age: 25
Occupation: Restaurant Manager
Residence: Sewell, New Jersey
Language: English

Story: “At my restaurant job, our boss is one of the craziest guys I’ve ever met. He’s always ranting about random stuff, leaving notes around the restaurant, and sending texts with zero context. But one day, he left a note basically screaming at us saying that we needed to get in line and work better. However, the one thing he wrote in all caps at the top of the note was: IT’S NOT MAY, ITS SUMMER! Now, the funny part of all this was, it was May. This was years ago, but this is something my coworkers and employees still talk about. Anytime someone is “slacking” or not doing a “good job,” we always crack a joke and say “It’s not May, it’s summer!”

Analysis: It’s very cool and interesting to see how different jobs and different workplaces have their own niche sayings. Typically, all workplaces have their own words and phrases recognizable to their stuff, but this one — “It’s not May, it’s summer” is definitely unique. It’s humorous, it has a great backstory, and its shared amongst the coworkers at this restaurant. Another really cool thing about this “phrase” that they share, is how not only is it used in a humorous way, but it also carries meaning in a serious way–being used to get other employees back on track and doing a better job. It’s super versatile, and it gets its message across. It’s obvious that this message carried a lot of meaning with this informant, and honestly, how important this phrase is to the community that works at this restaurant. Even now, they say the boss is in on the joke!

A Tibetan Tradition

Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Residence: Salt Lake City, Utah
Language: English

Story: “I went to a Tibetan school growing up in India, I was always class monitor, I was basically the teacher’s pet…but something that I grow up with, going to school in India, was corporal punishment. And as tough as that sounds, it was the culture I grew up with. But there’s this saying in Tibet, where teachers and parents will say “Tibetan kids’ ears are on their ass.” Essentially, this just means that physical punishment is the only way kids will listen and learn… their ears are on their ass. And honestly, this worked for me.”

Analysis: Cultures throughout the world have many different ways of teaching children, and what might seem different in the United States, can be totally normal in different countries. This is a great example of how different cultures foster different kinds of teachings for children, and as this person explained, it kind of worked for them. They later explained how when they first moved to the United States, they experienced a heavy culture shock. Corporal punishment is an ideology that has been passed down for generations, and it’s very interesting to see diverse perspectives on the ideology.

Hindi Proverb

Nationality: Kashmiri, Indian
Age: 62
Occupation: Physician
Residence: Las Vegas, Nevada
Language: Hindi

Text: बंदर क्या जाने अदरक का स्वाद

English Phonetic: Bandar kya jaane adrak ka swaad.

Translation: What does a monkey know of the taste of ginger.

Context: Informant first recalls hearing this proverb while in primary education(elementary school) when living in Jammu and Kashmir. Informant, however, details that they have heard it numerous times throughout their life in India, prior to moving to the United States. Informant would return home from school and inform their mother about their Muslim classmates’ inability to acknowledge or understand the informant’s religion, Hinduism. Upon hearing this, the mother would relay this proverb to get the informant to see that, sometimes, you cannot explain something to someone who upbringing does not allow them to understand it. Informant now understands the logic behind this proverb, however they failed to acknowledge it during their youth because of the trauma’s associated with the Kashmir conflict. This was a conflict over national rights to Kashmir that had religious and cultural roots between Hindus and Muslims. Informant know relays this proverb to their children to display that some things can not be explained to all people based on their upbringing. Informant makes it clear, thought, that this lack of understanding should never lead to conflict.

Analysis: When doing research on this proverb and seeing if other oicotypes or renditions existed in the world, I found that it is a commonly expressed idiom in South America. There, it holds the same traditional meaning that the informant believes it does. The nuance of the informants detailing of the proverb comes from the idea that a lack of ability to understand should never lead to conflict. This stems directly from the informants experiences in the Kashmir conflict, an event they would never want to bear witness to again. This highlights a slight semantic shift in the wisdom provided by this proverb. It no longer only serves as a means of understanding why people cannot come to understand certain things, but also a manner of preventing unnecessary conflict rooted in this inability.

Might is Right

Nationality: Kashmiri, Indian
Age: 62
Occupation: Physician
Residence: Las Vegas, Nevada
Language: English

Text: Might is Right.

Context: Informant first heard this proverb at Hahnemann University Hospital located in Philadelphia. During informant’s time as a medical student, a fellow classmate commonly relayed this proverb in reference to the dominating presence of attending physicians. Informant describes a situation in which he informed an attending that they made a misjudgment in a patient’s charts. The attending physician dismissed the informant’s suggestion and made an effort to criticize most of their input after this interaction. Informant was first told this proverb when discussing the situation with the classmate. Informant interprets this proverb as a means of justifying the power dynamics associated with medical school and residency. Informant believes that the hierarchy of power, which is based on years of experience, can be used to undermine others opinions, even if accurate.

Analysis: I believe it is important that the informant first heard of this proverb when they came to the United States. It highlights the power dynamics that are prevalent in many professional settings throughout the country. Even in politics, this proverb holds true. With the informant, I discussed the power of the current President, Donald Trump. We discussed how this proverb, and the way it in engrained into American culture, allows for President Trump to take action on things he may be uninformed or objectively incorrect about. Because of his might as President, as well as a dominating businessman and internet persona, he is able to do things that would typically be frowned upon. This idea extends into other groups of people as well. The rich are always right because of their wealth. The educated are always right because they are educated. The United States is always right because of our power. The American culture has engrained this proverb into its institutions and people, and it exists both explicitly and secretly in many interactions.

Patience is a Virtue

Nationality: Iranian- American
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, California
Language: English

Text: Patience is a Virtue.

Context: Informant first heard this proverb, from word of mouth, when they moved to college. Informant, however, does acknowledged hearing some rendition of this proverb from films before hearing it from their mother. Informant was on the phone with their mother complaining about the dynamics of dating in college. When emphasizing their desire to find “the one”, the informant’s mother responded with this proverb. Because this is a commonly discussed topic for the informant and their mother, this phrase is heard at least once a month. Thought the informant finds it annoying, they acknowledge the truth and underlying wisdom of the proverb. They are also aware that their mother has their best intentions in mind, so they recognize the importance of the phrase.

Analysis: Upon having this conversation, I immediately began to consider why the informant described being slightly annoyed by the repetition of this proverb. I, too, agree that it becomes slightly annoying to hear. I think this is likely associated with Gen Z’s desire for instant satisfaction. In almost all aspects of life, such as wealth, romance, and health, Generation Z seeks out the quickest way to achieve results. This proverb dives into the truths of hard work that are so closely tied to older generations. The differences between the ideals and philosophies of these generations is what causes some irritation when hearing this proverb. I believe the ease of access to everything, via the internet, and the instant satisfaction that is provided by this ease, is key to understanding the generational differences in acceptance of this proverb. I am curious to see if aging will revert Gen Z’s beliefs on this proverb, or if technological advancements will continue to widen the gap.