 | This essay contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. Essays may represent widespread norms or minority viewpoints. Consider these views with discretion. | |
 | This page in a nutshell: If you tell people not to do something, that may instead give them the idea to do it. |
"Discourage your child from putting foreign objects into body openings."
[1] That may seem like a good idea, but it may have unintended consequences when told to someone with a
naïve and adventurous mind.
The little boy's mother was off to market. She worried about her boy, who was always up to some mischief. She sternly admonished him, "Be good. Don't get into trouble. Don't eat all the cabbage. Don't spill all the milk. Don't throw stones at the cow. Don't fall down the well." The boy had done all of these things on other market days. Hoping to head off new trouble, she added, "And don't stuff beans up your nose!" This was a new idea for the boy, who promptly tried it out.
In our zeal to head off others' unwise action, we may put forth ideas they have not entertained. It may not be wise to caution against such possibilities. Prophylactic admonition may trigger novel mischief. As the popular saying goes, "don't give 'em any ideas."
In other words, don't give examples of how to cause disruption (e.g. "don't click on this link or you will crash Wikipedia") because this may will actually tempt some people to do it.
So, perhaps consider saying the following instead:
Keep your nose clean!
[edit] See also
[edit] References
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