| General Non-Fiction posted April 22, 2022 |
  |
Good advice for my first date.
When You Say Nothing At All
by LisaMay
I wailed plaintively to Mum: “But I won’t know what to say. I’ve got nothing at all to talk about.”
A boy had asked me out on my first date, aged fourteen. I fancied him, but I thought I would ruin it by being struck dumb with nerves, and if I did say anything he might think I was stupid. She gave me a useful piece of advice that since then has enabled me to relax when feeling stressed, and just have fun.
“Remember, there is such a thing as a companionable silence. Just keep smiling.” The advice saw me through the date. I had face-ache when I got home. Federico may well have thought I looked like the village idiot rather than sounding like an idiot, but all in all it was a successful date and led to many.
Deep communication can often be achieved by saying nothing at all. A sympathetic presence can be comforting and uplifting. I remember the companionship our family dog, Winkie, provided when I was a kid. If I was feeling upset about anything, I’d sit on the back step and he’d come over to lean against me. In human relations, too, a silent hug can speak volumes.
One of my favourite songs is titled: “When You Say Nothing At All”. When I hear it I am always reminded of my mother’s advice for my first date. My father’s was more pointed. He asked me: “What will you do if Federico puts his hand on your knee?” When I replied, “Why would he want to do that?” my parents realised I wasn’t quite ready for dating, so I quickly received some more helpful advice. But Federico was respectful and nothing at all untoward happened.
About Nothing at All writing prompt entry
I wailed plaintively to Mum: “But I won’t know what to say. I’ve got nothing at all to talk about.”
A boy had asked me out on my first date, aged fourteen. I fancied him, but I thought I would ruin it by being struck dumb with nerves, and if I did say anything he might think I was stupid. She gave me a useful piece of advice that since then has enabled me to relax when feeling stressed, and just have fun.
“Remember, there is such a thing as a companionable silence. Just keep smiling.” The advice saw me through the date. I had face-ache when I got home. Federico may well have thought I looked like the village idiot rather than sounding like an idiot, but all in all it was a successful date and led to many.
Deep communication can often be achieved by saying nothing at all. A sympathetic presence can be comforting and uplifting. I remember the companionship our family dog, Winkie, provided when I was a kid. If I was feeling upset about anything, I’d sit on the back step and he’d come over to lean against me. In human relations, too, a silent hug can speak volumes.
One of my favourite songs is titled: “When You Say Nothing At All”. When I hear it I am always reminded of my mother’s advice for my first date. My father’s was more pointed. He asked me: “What will you do if Federico puts his hand on your knee?” When I replied, “Why would he want to do that?” my parents realised I wasn’t quite ready for dating, so I quickly received some more helpful advice. But Federico was respectful and nothing at all untoward happened.
|
Writing Prompt Whatever you write, make it "about nothing at all." Have fun. Write whatever, be it 3-4-5-7 lines or a poem. Short stories around 300 words. Rhyme or free verse. Have fun. |
Author Note
Lyrics to ''When You Say Nothing At All'':
It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain what I hear when you don't say a thing
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all
All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near you drown out the crowd
Old Mister Webster could never define
What's being said between your heart and mine
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all
This country song was written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz. It was a hit song for three different performers: Keith Whitley, who took it to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart on December 24, 1988; Alison Krauss, whose version was her first solo top-10 country hit in 1995; and Irish pop singer Ronan Keating, whose version was his first solo single and a number-one hit in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand in 1999. This version was part of the soundtrack to the 1999 romantic comedy movie 'Notting Hill', starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Lyrics to ''When You Say Nothing At All'':
It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain what I hear when you don't say a thing
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all
All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near you drown out the crowd
Old Mister Webster could never define
What's being said between your heart and mine
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all
This country song was written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz. It was a hit song for three different performers: Keith Whitley, who took it to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart on December 24, 1988; Alison Krauss, whose version was her first solo top-10 country hit in 1995; and Irish pop singer Ronan Keating, whose version was his first solo single and a number-one hit in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand in 1999. This version was part of the soundtrack to the 1999 romantic comedy movie 'Notting Hill', starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.
You need to login or register to write reviews. It's quick! We only ask four questions to new members.
© Copyright 2024. LisaMay All rights reserved.
LisaMay has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.
