29 Comments
User's avatar
Kitty's avatar

Your dad took me to that diner once, they had a GREAT hot turkey sandwich. I think you missed an opportunity. Instead of making a flat out ask, you could have started with: Dad, we aren’t doing anything of significance at school next Friday, how do you feel about me staying home and doing further research on my college choices? I could also walk the dog and give my room a good cleaning. Wouldn’t that be a good start to the weekend?

Dan. If you aren’t feeling significantly better, it’s doctor time. Don’t make me call you.

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Christine Mangiavellano's avatar

Skip school because Child #2 is a senior who has been applying to and been accepted to a boatload of colleges and should stay home to watch horrendous TLC reality shows.✌🏻

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Dan Mangiavellano's avatar

But she tries to get us to watch that crap with her. I think her and her mom are watching the 2003 season of Survivor right now and talk about it like it's not over 20 years old.

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Christine Mangiavellano's avatar

Those shows are timeless 😵‍💫

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JD's avatar

Agreed, Child #2 should not go to school on Friday. Instead Child #2 should stay home and work on their grammar.

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Lindsey Rowell's avatar

Come on Dan, b a real one. Totally agree that Child #2 should skip on Friday...it's Friday and life is short. Although I would've just enjoyed the chicken parm and oreo cheesecake. Then I'd follow up with a thank you text....with an ask woven in a little more subtly. But love the initiative, Child #2. Closed mouths don't get fed.

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Dan Mangiavellano's avatar

I love this response, Lindsey! "Closed mouths don't get fed." My new fundraising mantra!

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david powers's avatar

Is it really that difficult to type "probably"? Go to school. Doing things you may not want to do builds character. Besides, it is the law!

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Dan Mangiavellano's avatar

You're in the minority, here, David. Speak truth to power, brother!

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Julie Marsiglio's avatar

Same - I never order anything I need to eat with my hands or that is too fussy when eating with a donor. For all donor meetings over lunch I get the same thing every time - chicken Caeser salad - so I don't have to think about the order and can focus on the conversation.

And, my vote is skip school on Friday - loved the post!

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Laurie Farber's avatar

Excellent story!!!!

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Maureen Harris's avatar

As we used to say many years ago when I was a high school senior, "High school is optional."

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Dan Mangiavellano's avatar

Please forward me the email addresses of both of your girls so I can verify with them directly the "high school is optional" stance in the Harris household. Ha!

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Renee Beck's avatar

I have so many thoughts on this one! 1) Absolutely yes on the school skip. My mom used to let me go late to school on days when there were band concerts because I *hate* music without lyrics. 2) "... vibes are immaculate" is an excellent phrase and should be rewarded (and I assume you've shown Child #2 your TikTok for UWMC?) 3) Steve also won't order what other people at the table get and it's ridiculous.

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Dan Mangiavellano's avatar

Welcome back to the comments section, Renee. We've missed you.

You don't like music without lyrics? I don't like songs that go on for longer 2 minutes. Like, get to the musical point, you know?

Your move, Beck.

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Cory Elizabeth Nelson's avatar

Per this post's advice, try: "Now that we've devoured this Oreo cheesecake, would you be willing to take me to the movies next Friday? I'm thinking the 1pm matinee."

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Dan Mangiavellano's avatar

You're too good, Cory. Too good!

We've missed you around these parts.

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Brandon Bautista's avatar

Fun fact about eating at restaurants with Dan: if they serve a pickle with his entree, he’ll take one bite from it, not because he likes them but because he’s afraid the staff will reuse the pickle for another guest if it’s untouched.

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Dan Mangiavellano's avatar

This is 100% true and I'd encourage everybody reading this to do the same. I forget why I think this, but it's too late to question it now.

Everybody take a bite of your pickle so they don't serve it to me when I eat after you!

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Kitty's avatar

I did not know that, Brandon. The things you learn!

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John Hopper's avatar

Of course Child 2 shouldn't have to go to school on Friday. No more making the bed either. Happy Mardi Gras!

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Sue's avatar

Love it child #2!!

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Wes Peters's avatar

I commend child #2 for capturing the voice and tone of their generation, even if it’s at the expense of grammar. I say, let child #2 skip school!

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Angda Goel's avatar

RC-1 (Real Child #1): aren’t those “we aren’t doing anything in school” days the best because you still get to see your friends but then nap or scroll reels on your phone during class?

Dan, send her out here bc my C2 has the day off for teacher’s institute so they can cavort together.

Side note: I also never get what others have ordered so that I can eat some of their food and get more tastes off the menu. That the manifestation of my FOMO.

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Dan Mangiavellano's avatar

Child #2--read this response from Angda knowing it's coming from a high school teacher. Go to school and scroll reels on your phone. And, Angda, I hope to go to a diner with your beautiful family in the near future. We'll eat off each other's plates like the way people are supposed to eat at diners!

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Kaitlyn Gallagher's avatar

I’m voting to let Child #2 skip school, please.

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