“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Well why the hell not? Here’s what they should say: you can’t teach a DUMB dog new tricks. Age aside, whether you’re thinking literal or applied, you can only teach the willing. With this idea, ignorance manifests not in some ‘natural stupidity’, but in a lack of desire to gain knowledge. Contrary to the belief that allows us to justify our laziness, people are not born smarter than others [not even Asians]. Some people are just harder working. Now don’t go getting all defensive-like, you red-blooded Americans. Work ethic enumerates from a myriad of places, not just your own choices. It’s bred into you from birth by your culture and upbringing. Your own decisions do come into play later in life, but these decisions are made with intellect gained during a lifetime of influence by others.
You CAN teach and old dog new tricks, as long as he sees a benefit in it for himself. Another problem in America today: self-centered attitudes.
“Amy, can you drop this slip off in the office for me?”
Now, Amy had a long day of classes and was on her way to her car, and a trip to the office would require her walking about a fourth of a mile’s distance out of the way to the parking lot. The asker in this situation is a close friend, a fellow student. No ample respect is needed with this casual relationship, and Amy would feel comfortable refusing. Which would you choose?
Now change it up a bit. Make the favor-asker Amy’s teacher. Same question, which answer?
What if the asker was her Mother? Is more respect going to be given in this scenario? What would you do in young Amy’s shoes?
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