I have a hard to define relationship with nuns. Whenever I see one on the street I am filled with all sorts of conflicting emotions. I feel guilty instantly – no matter what I am up to, then I want to point and laugh, or sometimes even give them a hug if they’re exceptionally cute. Mostly though I just feel like running in the opposite direction. I think it’s because I know after my many years in school that they are far from the innocent creatures they are dressed up as. For about six months when I was in second year of secondary school the nuns in power adopted a new disciplinary scheme involving special fines. They charged a pound per minute you were late in the morning, a pound if you weren’t wearing your tie, 50p for leaning against a radiator (this was always the strangest I thought), two pounds for eating chewing gum and 10 pounds for an unplanned pregnancy. Ok the last one I made up but the rest is true. At the end of the six months they stopped with the fines – probably because nobody had any money left and about two weeks later a brand new car took up its permanent home in the driveway of the convent. A coincidence? I think not.
Leaning against a radiator? Were the nuns particularly concerned that you might burn your delicate skin?
Coincidentally, I saw a couple of nuns on my way home from work yesterday. Not such a common sight in these parts, so I was very tempted to take a photograph of them. Or to reverse.
How marvellous your blog is! I have found a new person to throw inane comments at!
I have those in front of my bar at home here too. The nuns, that is.
Jovica – I guess loitering was deemed uncouth for good catholic children – and how right they were, if only I’d listened
The Swearing Lady – just you be careful of them nuns – they’ll swipe your drink while distracting you with Hail Marys and Glory Be’s – you can’t take your eyes off them for one second – especially if there’s gin in the vicinity
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