“For those unfamiliar with the expression, “To Eat Crow” (or “eating crow”) is an American English expression which refers to humbling yourself by admitting that a previously (and often strongly) stated opinion was wrong or incorrect.” (The linguistic mystic provided the definition).
As I’ve openly admitted before, I tend to have strong opinions. I tend to be an extremist. I try to see things as shades of gray, and yet I find myself evaluating everything as black or white. I don’t have a lot of mild reactions, or indifference or tempered opinions. I hate it or I love it. I love coffee, reading, bread, chocolate. I hate ketchup, seafood, Charles Dickens, rude people, traffic, arrogance etc. Although I think that it is good to have strong opinions and spinelessness drives me absolutely crazy, there are some drawbacks to being so definite in my opinions. Namely, I have to eat a lot of crow. This really sucks, since I don’t like eating crow. Who does?! Here are some examples of my crow-eating culinary delights of late:
When Matias was born, I used to wonder how one of my friends ended up with such a wild child. I secretly wondered, was it her parenting? I thought I was such a great parent because Matias was quiet and obedient and well-mannered. I would never let my kid run around wild like hers did. Then I had Joonas.
I used to belong to a Facebook group called something like, “I don’t care how comfortable those Crocs (shoes) are, you look like an idiot”. Then someone bought Matias some crocs and they looked super cute. I left the group.
When I was younger I used to say that “I would never marry someone from Finland and definitely NOT someone younger than me”. Need I tell you that Pentti is born and raised in Finland and two years younger than me?
I have always touted the evils of open area classrooms. Guess where I am currently working? And guess again whether I have to begrudgingly admit that I rather like it?!
I promised anyone who would listen that I would never go to another concert at GM Place. I went to a terrible Il Divo concert, which was mostly terrible due to the venue. A huge stadium with acoustics that aren’t great, sticky floors and a smell of beer, popcorn and urine isn’t my idea of a worthy concert hall. But then Michael Buble came to town. At GM Place. Yes, I went.
I have always been a firm believer in the public school system. I would certainly never put my child into a private school. Well…I still absolutely believe in the public system. But when it’s chronically underfunded and unstable, you have to rethink your stance a little bit. Especially when we are suddenly talking about my own kid, starting his first year of school. Yup. Private it is.
I would never have kids and then get someone else to look after them. Oops. Turns out I am a better mom when I get out of the house sometimes. Right now as I write this I am on emergency parenthood leave and loving it. But I do plan to go back to work. And yes, I will require the help of someone else to watch my kids.
When Uggs came out I thought they were the ugliest thing ever. I couldn’t believe people would spend good money on them. Guess what I’m secretly dreaming of buying? Yup. Uggs. They look so comfortable. And actually kind of cute. What’s next shoe booties? Now those things are truly disgusting. Well, at least that’s what I think today. But how about a year from now? Will I still be firm, or will I see some cute pair somewhere that will make me forget??? Perhaps I’ll put off condemning them on the off chance that in a week, or a month, or a year I’ll change my mind and have to eat crow again. Because quite frankly, I don’t like eating crow. I’m tired of it. And no, it doesn’t taste like chicken…
PS. If you happen to have been at the receiving end of one of my extreme, “I will never” opinions, you have the right to take pleasure in my crow-eating experiences of late.
