Tag Archives: family

Everything in this life can be solved, except death – Proverb

Nationality: Mexican
Age: 24
Occupation: College Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Language: English

Text:

Everything in this life can be solved, except death

Context:

My informant told me that her mother would tell her this proverb in moments when she (my informant) was overwhelmed by schoolwork or other aspects of life. This proverb would help put things into perspective for her. She continues to tell this proverb to herself now when she is stressed.

Analysis:

This proverb does a great job at putting everything into perspective. As much as death can be a scary thing for some people because of its finality, acknowledging that it is the only thing that truly is final can be comforting. That means that everything else in life, like the stressful times or the times of grief, is only temporary, or at least, the magnitude of the circumstance is only temporary. There might not be a literal “right answer” or “solution” to everything, but there are many ways to make it through the difficult times in life.

Actions speak louder than words – Proverb

Nationality: American
Age: 57
Occupation: Dance Studio Owner
Residence: Downers Grove, IL
Language: English

Text:

Actions speak louder than words

Context:

My informant told me she used to say this a lot when she worked in management. She would tell other employees this proverb so they would have agency with their work and towards their careers. In those instances, she wanted her employees to understand that them saying they will get a task done is not the same as them actually getting the task done. She nows says this proverb to her children as a way to inspire them to take action in their lives.

Analysis:

The metaphor within this proverb is really powerful. Someone can say they are going to do something, but until their actions align with their words, their words hold no power. This is especially true when someone’s actions directly oppose what they’re saying. Although actions do not speak, they signal the person’s intention to others. Many people say things they do not mean or make promises they never follow through. People’s actions and decisions give meaning to the words they say.

Nothing in life is free, cause you’ll pay some other way – Proverb

Nationality: American
Age: 22
Occupation: College Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Language: English

Text:

Nothing in life is free, cause you’ll pay some other way

Context:

My informant uses this proverb with her friends and family. She gave the scenario of her friend flirting with a stranger at the bar to get a free drink. My informant said this proverb to her friend after she returned with her free drink.

Analysis:

When my informant gave me this proverb, I recognized the first part (“Nothing in life is free”). However, I was not familiar with the latter half of the proverb. I have heard variations of this proverb, such as “Everything has a cost,” and I have always found it interesting. Even if someone does not have to use their money to get something, they have to pay for the thing with their time and energy instead. In the case of my informant’s friend, although she did not have to use her money to buy herself a drink, she “paid” the other person with her time and energy talking to them. It makes people reflect on what form of payment is more valuable: money or time and energy.

You can’t always get what you want – Folk Speech

Nationality: American
Age: 22
Occupation: College Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Language: English

Text:

You can’t always get what you want

Context:

My informant told me that her parents used to tell her this as a kid. A scenario she provided was when she and her sister disagreed on how to do something and my informant did the task her own way with no regard for what her sister wanted. Her parents said this phrase to her to help her understand that not everything in life will go her way, and therefore she needed to learn how to compromise and adjust accordingly.

Analysis:

This phrase became popular when The Rolling Stones released the song “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” in 1969. There is a legend that Mick Jagger heard this phrase at a bar after a concert in Minnesota, although it was never verified. For people who know this song, this phrase would be considered a reference to The Rolling Stones. What I find interesting, though, is that when I used to hear my parents use this phrase, I was not aware that they were quoting a song. I thought this phrase was a proverb/a kind of folk speech, and I’m probably not alone in that thought. It will be interesting to see how as time goes on, if younger generations will know this phrase as a “reference to that one Rolling Stones song” or if it will only be known as a phrase that parents/older people use with children.

Childhood Family Superstition

Informant Info

Race/Ethnicity: White

Age: 21

Occupation: College Student

Residence: Connecticut, USA

Date of Performance: February 13, 2025

Primary Language: English

Other Language(s): N/A

Relationship: Friend

Text: “Step on a crack, break your mother’s back.” 

Context: The informant remembers hearing the saying “Step on a crack, break your mother’s back” during childhood, particularly when playing with friends. It was a common saying on the playground, where kids would avoid stepping on cracks in the sidewalk to avoid bad luck. Even though they knew it was nonsensical, the informant and their friends would still follow the rule for fun, making it part of their playful rituals.

Analysis: This saying is a typical example of folk speech, a type of saying or ditty passed down informally through generations. While it lacks any real logical basis, it’s part of a childhood tradition that shapes behavior in a playful way. The saying reflects how cultural beliefs, no matter how irrational, can influence actions, especially when repeated among peers. It’s also a good example of how sayings like this contribute to social bonding, with children sharing a common, fun rule to follow. In my opinion though it doesn’t have real-world consequences, the saying helps form part of the social fabric of childhood play, showing how such sayings are passed down through communities, creating shared experiences.