Because 1-4 Grace asked

Bonus Conversation:

Background first: In the Whole Paycheck food store last week on 6th Ave in Midtown Manhattan, Wondergirl and I witnessed the most vapid, air headed young woman kick her over-stuffed shopping basket forward every time the line shifted. We were standing in the very clearly marked "FIVE ITEMS OR LESS" line, with big signs every ten feet, and a large banner over the bank of registers. She had to slide it on the ground instead of carrying it because it had about 10 more items than the baskets were designed to carry. Clearly more than the FIVE for that part of the store.

She got up to the register and heaved it up on the counter. The clerk admonished her for taking a space in the FIVE ITEMS OR LESS line and she pretended to not understand the concept (though it was clear from her cell phone conversation we overheard that English is her first language).

We saw about 20 tired, jaded, hungry New Yorkers rolling their eyes at her stupidity and lack of awareness.

When we had checked out and were standing back out on the street waiting to cross 6th Ave in rush hour traffic , I told Wondergirl that when she lives in New York, in order to thrive, I wanted her to live under this one rule: "Don't be a dumb*ss, okay?" She laughed and promised to not be a dumb*ss.

Since we have returned, we have reminded each other about "Rule Number One" numerous times. As in, "Mom, use a hot mitt for that lid. Remember: rule number one!" and "Wondergirl, did I see you throw that wet towel on your bed? What's rule number one?"

Monday night, while we were discussing current events, a certain infamous 17-year-old came up in the conversation.

Wondergirl's response when she heard the news was "Now there's a mother and a daughter who never learned rule number one!"

From the mouths of babes.