What lessons do we attempt to impress on our children?

If your progeny will even listen to you, you are ahead of most parents. Somehow everyone else has the right answers. Your lessons come under the huge heading of "nagging." But it is your parental duty to press forward and deliver your ideas even though you are speaking to deaf ears.

The lessons that I wish to pass on to them have been hard gleaned. I have seen many of my Bronx schoolmates and friends destroyed by not following some very simple rules. Learning by bad experiences is not a pleasant way to get smart. Some people just refuse to be told anything.

The following three things are not to be shared by anybody. They are personal and broadcasting them will only lead to embarrassment and/or negative consequences.

1) Never reveal your income (salary) to anyone.

The Internal Revenue Service knows how much money you make and that is quite sufficient. People will ask you in roundabout ways for your income but it is your duty never to reveal it. Once you have blurted it out you are immediately categorized. Even though you may be a huge earner, it is nobody's business but yours and possibly your spouse's - Not your parents -- not your sisters -- not your Uncle Louie.

2) No bedroom tales.

Tales of the boudoir are a definite "no-no." Even your best friends are not entitled to that information. Good or bad or great or lousy they are not subjects for discussion. What happens there, stays there. Enough said.

3) Never expose your innermost dreams and aspirations. They are yours alone.

Once you let the cat out of the bag, it is very difficult to push the kitty back in. Not everyone is kind and gentle and cares for you in a manner that you hope for. Bad friends can denigrate your ideas and ideals with a few poorly chosen words and leave you wounded. Better to tell only so much and keep the rest a secret.

I hope that I have not left my readers with a smattering of cynicism. Personally, I will speak about anything, politics and religion, etc. but not about the three topics I have just outlined. They are personal and should stay that way.