the book of bad habits
Who was the first person to pick their nose? What is the absolute worst thing you can do at the dinner table? The Book of Bad Habits answers these questions and more. Can fidgeting help you lose weight? Will knowing how to swear get you ahead in life? The Book of Bad Habits reveals some surprising benefits. Do people say you’re a slob? Have you ever been called a bully? Take the quizzes and The Book of Bad Habits uncovers the true you. Written by self-professed bad habit aficionado, Frank C. Hawkins, and prominent Lancaster County, Pennsylvania physician, Greta L.B. Laube, M.D., The Book of Bad Habits is your one-stop shop for the habits everyone loves to hate.
Reviews:
"Do people say you have bad habits? This is the place to see if you're doing them right." — Matt C.
5 Stars: A Good Book of Bad Habits. November 25, 2011, by Keagan Pearson, FatherhoodFactor.com
Every once in a while you run across a book that surprises you; one that causes you to ponder deep thoughts…and maybe one that changes you a bit in the process.
I have read few…scratch that…I have read zero books that cover topics from peeing in the shower to taking drugs. Being that The Book of Bad Habits is meant to guide young (and not so young) men and women through the perils of misplaced (or misapplied) tendencies, it stands to reason that it would cover everything from the vile to the sophisticated.
More importantly to me, it does so with a laugh and some attention to the gross reality of our quirks and eccentricities. And with that, the funny anecdotes are delivered alongside some strong factual expertise by Dr. Laube…who happens to be an M.D.
I mean, as a dad, I find it very useful to know that when my 4 year-old passes gas that’s loud and obnoxious, I don’t have to dawn the gas mask and retardant spray. And who doesn’t want to fully understand that: “German Sociologist Norbert Elias, in his two-volume “The Civilizing Process“, records prohibitions against spitting from the Middle Ages to 1910?”
So what did I glean from this read?
- We all have a little adolescent in us. We may grow older but that doesn’t exclude us from doing some of the same things we tell our kids not to do.
- That there’s a need for the heavy and the lighthearted. We can, and should, teach our kids about the dangers of drug use, while at the same time teaching them the need to avoid “Slobdom”.
- That common sense is still king. When in doubt, teach your kids to use that squishy grey thing in between their ears.
- That even in today’s world, courtesy still matters to people. Even with the mellowing of old-fashioned values, most people still find value in our polite efforts. Personally, my girls will know that it means something when a man opens a door for them.
- That you can’t temp physics. When you place a 4,000 lbs. car in a collision with a person…the car always wins. So, let’s watch where we’re walking shall we!
First things first…buy the book. It is a quick read that will make you laugh and equip you with some nuggets that will teach you and your kids. Finally, happy reading…and good luck with those bad habits!
- Picking Your Nose (pdf )
- Belching (pdf )
- Passing Gas (pdf )
- Grabbing Your Crotch (pdf )
- Peeing in the Shower (pdf )
- Being a Slob
- Missing the Toilet (pdf )
- Chewing With Your Mouth Open (pdf )
- Spitting (pdf )
- Swearing (pdf )
- Fidgeting
- Cracking Your Knuckles
- Picking Your Butt
- Not Washing Up
- Using the Bathroom Outside
- Throwing Gum on the Sidewalk (pdf )
- Not Wearing Deodorant
- Peeing in the Pool
- Walking With Your Back to Traffic
- Eating—Eating—Eating (pdf )
- Not Opening Doors for Others
- Losing Your Temper
- Calling People Names (pdf )
- Bragging
- Complaining (pdf )
- Being a Know-It-All
- Not Listening
- Littering
- Lying
- Cheating (pdf )
- Stealing
- Feeling Sorry for Yourself
- Smoking
- Drinking
- Taking Drugs
- Being Late
- Saying No to Everything (pdf )
- Being Jealous
- Playing With Guns
- Wasting Energy
- Being Critical
- Arguing
- Biting Your Nails
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