A Stodghill Says So blog:

Yes, it now is official. I have to admit that reading this news about women in the Irish Independent did not shake me out of my shoes. What man in his right mind ever believed a woman was capable of keeping a secret?
As far back as I can remember, and that means way back to 1928, they have been saying the fastest ways to spread news is telephone, telegraph or tell a woman.
Now a study of women 18 to 65 in Britain, or maybe it was Chile or one of those places, has revealed the maximum length of time one of them can keep a secret is 47 hours and 15 minutes. There is something in their genes or whatever that gives them this uncontrollable urge to spill the beans. The study was financed by a wine merchant and sure enough, a couple of glasses of spirits really helps loosen their tongues. This, too, did not come as a surprise. I believe it was Ogden Nash who said "Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker." I'm not sure, though, that Ogden was talking about revealing secrets.

The worst combination of words in the English language is "you deserve." It's heard over and over on TV commercials and nearly always refers to someone who has gotten into a financial mess through foolishness. This person has run up $5,000 or more in credit card debt and can't make the payments, but is told "you deserve" to have it wiped off the books. As often as not this is the same person who screams about having to pay taxes but thinks nothing of paying exorbitant interest. What do they deserve? Nothing.
In today's world of "come on" offers, schools should provide graphic examples of what buying on credit means. Kids should be taught what paying interest does to a pay check. They should learn how much money the borrower spends without getting anything in return other than instant gratification.

I can keep a secret. Ask LC. Of course, she won't tell you.

Where is LC?

She'll be back at the weekend.

Dick,
I've found the best way to spread news is to say, "Don't tell anyone." Got to figure out a way to use that in promoting books. On the other hand, that is already done with books they don't want you to read. The sales increase.

As for the credit issue, I believe a course in school is needed. I guess I'm a lot like you with paying for things as you buy them. The credit card is convenient and necessary for certain things, however when the statement comes, it gets paid off in full. The interest paid on credit card financing, if placed in a savings account, would reap big rewards. But the mentality for many is, "I want it now!" Then they complain that they are always broke. In that respect, they get what they deserve.

Dick,

Some women keep secrets. Over the years, I have gotten very good at it.

Some women can't--neither can some men.

I can keep secrets also.

Carol

I've known quite a few men who could not keep a secret.

I don't think gender is a factor.

Ann

C'mon, ladies, surely you can't disagree with a study conducted by a wine company. It's in the genes, whatever they are.

The secret is that if you can keep secrets and people know this, and besides you do a lot of listening, you hear all sorts of interesting things. And writers love interesting things.

Carol

"Lets open anuffer borall o that wine, 'hic'.
"Lets ponder over the mysteries of 'hic' the fair fa.... fair..er..sex."
"Ca..ccann.. you keep a zzzzecret?"
"I fink zo 'hic' "
"Well my bloody misses can't.....'hic'... you zee it's all in the jeans init? She gets it from her fava...'hic'...he ...eee got it from his muva....ooooh got it from er uzzband.... I dunno where eeeh.. got it... 'hic'...from..nun ov em can keep shtooom about anyfink.... specially errrr...'hic'.

"My ole man...'hic'... used ta say dare are four forms of modern com...comm...comunication....'hic'....Telafone....talavishone....'hic'....telagram...an....tella bloomin woman......'hic'.

You summed it up well, dmondeo.

Dick, starting a thread like this is a darned good way to get in trouble.

My rule of thumb when sharing information with a limited group is to expect every person there to assume it's okay to share the information with one trusted friend. After a while, it's a like a viral marketing campaign.

Malcolm

Guess I've never gotten over the pleasure of rocking the boat. Worked out well when I was writing a newspaper column, not so well at other times. You have to shake the ladies up now and then. Works best when done from a distance.