I have a life hack for you. It applies mostly to guys (at least that has been my experience), but I think everybody could find it useful. Here it is: If you are ever in a situation where people are encouraging you to do something by telling you "don't be a sissy," then don't do it. In other words, never do what they are encouraging you to do. Simple, right? Not following their advice is 100% always the right choice.
Now, there will be instances in life when you'll be advised to step up, take responsibility, even "be a man." Sometimes those giving the advice will have your best interests at heart, and you can at least consider taking it. But if they say "don't be a sissy," yeah, they don't care about you.
Here's a similar one: People who talk only rights but never responsibilities are better off not being listened to. What they are saying is all about them and nothing about you (or anybody else really).
I didn't come up with the rights/responsibilities life hack myself. It's from a podcast I heard recently, but it might as well have been from a high school civics course. Citizens taking care to exercise their rights responsibly is a basic tenet on which democracies depend to function properly.
Also, don't drink bleach. That's another good one.
John Auchter is a freelance political cartoonist. His views are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Michigan Radio, its management, or its license holder, the University of Michigan.
